1. The Belize Travelcast
  2. Episode 36

Mayan Healing and Culture in Belize

Aurora Saqui


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In this episode, we speak with the Yucatec Mayan healer and owner of Nuuk Cheil Cottages, Aurora Saqui.

Aurora speaks about her Mayan Culture and the tradition of healing that has been passed down through her family. Her mother learned from her grandfather and her uncle became world-renowned, the same uncle who she studied under for 8 years, learning the secrets of countless plants that when combined and used correctly can create nature's remedies for almost anything. She has now been a full-fledged healer for over 25 years, but this is not all she has accomplished.

As a girl Aurora and her sisters almost single-handedly built the slate carving industry, making the form of art popular and widespread throughout Belize with their work. Growing up she learned not to be ashamed of her culture but to embrace it and won an award for writing her Mayan cookbook. She opened a restaurant. Then she opened Nuuk Cheil Cottages, deriving its name from the Mayan word for “forest” because of the surrounding area. In the heart of nature, Nuuk Cheil is a beautiful property just about 6 miles from the jaguar reserve where guests and groups can rent a place to stay while in Belize.

St Leonard's Tours is family owned and operated by Carla & Rodolfo. Let us make Belize your backyard and lead you to unforgettable places in our comfortable air conditioned vehicles ... morewith your private, professional and knowledgeable local guides.
Listen as Aurora details all of this and more, even including her own Romeo and Juliet story of how she ran away to marry her husband of 30 years, Ernesto Saki, a village chairman of the Mopan Maya. In addition, take a tour of her goodie bag of Mayan concoctions that Aurora has created from nature: everything from eye drops to bug spray to hair loss treatments to even a dream serum, all of which she sells as part of being a Healer. 

So dive into the fascinating culture of the Maya and the well of ancient knowledge that Aurora has to offer.
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Aurora Saqui

Aurora Garcia Saqui is one of the famous Garcia sisters. She is a proud Yucatec Maya who is well known for practicing and safeguarding her Maya culture through innovative ideas. Aurora Saqui was born on June 13, 1967 in San Antonio, Cayo District. While growing up and focused on her art, her great uncle, the famed traditional healer Don Elijio Panti, encouraged her to become his apprentice and over thirteen years he conveyed on her his vast knowledge of the medicinal plants in Belize. Aurora is the owner and operator of Nuuk Che'il Cottages in Maya Center Village.

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