Tata Mario Simon Ovalle Chavez

Maya K'iche

Guatemala

Tata Mario is a renowned spiritual leader, naturopath, painter and talented traditional musician. He plays the marimba, drums, caracol and flute. Founder of the council of Ajq’ijab’(spiritual guide) Iq’ B’alam and Council member of Indigenous Townhall of Santa Lucia, Utatlan, Solola. He gives conferences about medicinal plants, Maya cosmology and history, identity and rights of indigenous people, he’s also a primary school teacher. Tata Mario works alongside his wife Nana Amalia on healing, purification and spiritual balancing ceremonies, Maya astrology readings amongst other traditional practices and ceremonies.