LINEAGE
As diverse modern people, many of us have been torn away from our ancestral wisdoms through war, diaspora, colonization and other painful doorways of forgetting. In the ‘West’, a ravenous hunger for traditional elders has been palpable for decades. No respectful discussion of Don Elijio Panti (or any other indigenous medicine people) can occur without first acknowledging this collective wound and the inadvertent damage it can cause.
Don Elijio Panti, Masewal Maya H’Men of the Yucatan region of what is now Belize, gave the world a great gift by sharing his extensive healing knowledge beyond the borders of his own community. His generosity has touched thousands globally, restoring visceral maps within individuals back to their Benevolent Ancestors.
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It is imperative to understand that Don Elijio left many disciples. The majority of them are indigenous and many practice to this day. Compassionate decolonization calls to us to unwind colonial narratives that position his work as being saved by the West. His work has saved so many from forgetting the species imperative as it lives in their DNA.
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He was born on July 15th 1893 in Peten, Guatemala. Within the first year of his life, his family moved to San Jose Succotz in Belize. In 1907 he wed Gomercinda Tzib. They had one daughter, Emilia. Elijio met his teacher Don Jeronimo Requina working as a chiclero in the jungle in 1930. Jeronima was a renowned Garifuna Bush Doctor. Over the many decades that followed, Elijio healed the sick and revived the Spirits of people from his community and around the world. He passed in 1996.
Tul’ix Indigenous Arts honors the roots of this work exist at Elijio’s feet, and we understand that our purpose in touching these roots is to remember our own so we can live on this Earth in a good way.
As (largely) non-Maya recipients of this work, we are grateful that it found its way to most of us via Dr. Rosita Arvigo. We acknowledge that for her own reasons, she has chosen to work exclusively with the Abdominal Therapy Collective. Since 2020 when what was once the Arvigo Institute (now Tul’ix Indigenous Arts) experienced a radical reincarnation, we have received and continue to receive many questions about this. We honor Rosita as sovereign and have spoken to these changes here, here, here and here. With deep love and respect, we ask that our time be honored by directing any questions you have beyond this directly to Dr. Rosita. You can contact her via the Abdominal Therapy Collective website.
Special Acknowledgements
It is customary in Masewal culture to ask permission of those who have passed before speaking of them. Our prayer is that what is written here or spoken aloud in connection to Don Elijio may be done with grace and permission, blessed by the Benevolent Spirits of this work.
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It is important to also acknowledge Ms. Hortense Robinson, Ms. Beatrice Waight, Ms. Juana Shish and other traditional midwives and healers whose wisdoms shaped the transmission of this work as it exists outside of their indigenous communities today. May we have your permission to name you and thank you.
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Don Elijio Panti is pictured above with his niece Aj Ix Meen Aurora Saqui.
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