Casa Na Bolom

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Na Bolom is an institute in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico dedicated to advocating the cause of indigenous people and the preservation of the rainforest, as well as being a hotel and a museum.

[edit] History

Na Bolom was originally purchased by archeologist Frans Blom and his wife Gertrude (Trudy) Blom a journalist and self taught photographer, in the '50's, as a home for themselves and a center for the Mayan people. Franz had come to Chiapas as a young man and had been among the first to excavate Palenque, a Mayan city about 150 km east of San Cristobol de las Casas. He later met his wife in the area, where she had come to study the peoples of the area - primarily the Lacandon, a Mayan group that were the last never to have been conquered, or converted, by the Spanish. The name Na Bolom translates to "House of the Jaguar" in the Mayan dialect of the Lacandon - and is of course plays on the name of the founders.

Na Bolom is now a foundation dedicated to the indigenous peoples of the area, primarily the Lacandon. One can contibute to the foundation in the U.S. through a tax exempt fund established by a family in North Carolina. At Na Balom there is a guest house, with about 15 rooms, where tourists can stay (at rates somewhat higher than in the area closer to the Zocalo). There is a beatifully appointed dining room where breakfasts and dinners are served. Na Balom can arrange local tours.

[edit] Tours

The tour of Na Bomom itself is quite interesting. English tours are given daily at 4:30 p.m. (free to guests - a fee for others). This includes rooms housing artifacts, and the many rare photos taken by Trudy over the years (of indigenous people who to this date don't appreciate having their photos taken). The tour covers the lovely gardens surrounding the main house, and includes sculptures donated to the foundation, as well as vegetable gardens where food for the house is grown. The tour guide(s) are indigenous people who had had close contact with Trudy. She seems to have become somewhat of a cult figure for them - as well as to the Lacandon in Selva - if the guides reports are accurate.

Na Bolom holds art shows featuring the works of indigenous artists, and organizes educational programs. It also reserves some rooms for indigenous people who come to the city for medical treatments.