maintain patterns of ethnic dominance by actively thwarting Maya efforts to invest their

remittances in productive economic activities.

 Land, Income-Generation, and Remittance Investment

Rapid Return of Pokomam Maya to the Migrant Circuit

 Most Ladinos complain that returning Mayas spend their money over-zealously on

elaborate housing and fancy cars. Maya "stupidity" and "inability to handle" the responsibility

that comes with earning U.S. dollars, Ladinos believe, is the reason Maya men often return to the

migrant circuit. While Ladino migrants average only one return trip to the United States, Mayas

who intend to stay in their natal communities often re-enter the migrant circuit within one to two

years. Even though Maya migration is only a decade old, interviews and surveys for this research

reveal that repeat migration is more common among the Maya population than among Ladinos.

 Ladinos often disparagingly remark that rapid return of Maya to the United States is due to

their incompetence. This research, however, revealed that Mayas return to the United States

primarily because of their low initial resource base and Ladino monopoly over viable income

generation in Pinula. These two factors conspire to limit Maya integration into the local economy

as Ladino control over land, material resources, and information often frustrate attempts by

Mayas to invest in local income-generating activities.

 Land was formerly seen as a necessity for survival in Pinula because it was fundamental to

the main source of subsistence, milpa (corn and bean) agriculture. This is no longer the case

since the viability of milpa agriculture has become much diminished: the consensus in the

community is that the drop in the price of corn and beans has become a limiting factor. Though

milpa still plays a significant cultural and economic role, most migrants attempting to re-

establish themselves in their home community seek alternative ways to generate income.