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Autumn

2020

La Muxatena: A Sacred Rock Formation at the Heart of an Indigenous Social Movement for Environmental Rights

Published
2020-10-01

Abstract

This piece reviews the role that a revered rock formation in Nayarit, Mexico, played in a recent historical struggle (2009–2019) against the development of a large hydroelectric dam. The rock formation, called Muxatena, is a sacred site and ceremonial gathering on the bank of the San Pedro Mezquital River. Indigenous peoples in the watershed have coalesced at Muxatena for generations and recently prevented displacement by making Muxatena visible in their social movement for place-based autonomy.