What - essentially - is Honduras?

The first millennium Central America was populated by a fertile multiplicity of indigenous peoples rich in a wide assortment of cultural heritage & diverse linguistic backgrounds. Among the most notable were the intriguingly advanced Mayans. In the fifth century A.D., their civilization spread rapidly south from the lowland centers of Yucatán, Río Motagua Valley, and Petén through the northwestern region of a 112,088 square kilometer land mass currently bearing the official national name of República de Honduras. The present-day area of Santa Rosa de Copán was developed for three and a half centuries into the southern most vortex of the Mayan cultural and trade network (spanning as far north as central Mexico). This major ceremonial center of Copán likely became a premier cite for both art and the well advanced Mayan astronomical studies. One of the longest Mayan hieroglyphic inscriptions was found at Copán. The last dated hieroglyph in Copán is 800 A.D. For at the height of the Mayan civilization, in the ninth century A.D., Copán, as well as most other Mayan cities, was apparently abandoned. The reason for this abrupt event remains an enigma to archaeologists. However, regardless of the cause for the fall of Mayan civilization, the heart of Honduras lived on. For while the city dwelling priests, glyph inscribers, and rulers, suddenly vanished, much of the Mayan peasant population remained and formed a continuum of language and culture that exist to this day. Copán fell into ruin, yet her descendants hold no memory of the meanings of the inscriptions nor of the reasons for the sudden Mayan demise. Saliently notable during this significant pre-Columbian era, is an obvious absence of borders between Guatemala and Honduras. If anything, the Mayan limits or frontier lied midway within current day Honduras.

Following the period of Mayan dominance, indigenous groups related to the Toltec of central Mexico migrated into southern Honduras. Most notable were the Chorotega, who established themselves near the present-day city of Choluteca. Later enclaves of Nahua-speaking peoples, such as the Pipil, whose language was related to that of the Aztec, established themselves at various locations from the Caribbean coast to the Golfo de Fonseca on the Pacific coast. Other peoples with languages related to those of the Chibcha of Colombia were establishing themselves in areas that became northeastern Honduras. Ulva & Paya speakers were prominent. Along the Caribbean coast, a variety of groups settled. Among them were the Sumu, who were also located in Nicaragua, and the Jicaque. Finally, in west-central parts were the Lenca, who are believed to have migrated north from Colombia. The pre-conquest Honduran peoples constituted numerous distinct groups who carried on considerable trade as far away as Panama and Mexico. Although no major cities were known to existence, the total population was nevertheless fairly high, ranging form a low of 500,000 to 2,000,000.

On July 30, 1502 Christopher Columbus landed on Guanaja of the Islas de la Bahía (Bay Islands) which he understandably first named Isla de Los Pinos (Pine Island). Here he discovered and seized a large canoe loaded with a wide variety of trade goods. Evidence indicates that the canoe's occupants were Mayan traders, thus marking the first direct European contact with the valiant civilizations of Central America and Mexico. He continued on to the mainland where he did a little exploring on the coast. So on this fourth, final and climactic voyage, his cardinal legacy lay in assigning names also to Cabo Gracias a Dios (for the coasts eastern extremity), and Honduras for the overall region. Some surmise the latter name refers to the deep waters off the coast (since Spanish word hondo means deep). However, if I had just experienced the rich and gorgeous diversity found within the Islas de la Bahía and the eastern coasts, not to mention first hand interaction with brave adept Mayan mariners, I do not believe my greatest impressions would lie with a deep sea (having lately crossed the wide Atlantic). No, if I had the sentiment to name a mere coastal region Cabo Gracias a Dios (roughly 'Cape thanks to God') my wish to distinguish the whole domain by naming it Honduras would rest on the root words alternate meaning -- "profound".

It was two decades later before Hernán Cortés' Mexico expedition and Aztec conquest. Then expeditions from Mexico, Panama, and the Caribbean began to move into C.A. In 1523 part of an expedition headed by Gil González Dávila discovered the Golfo de Fonseca on the Pacific coast and the exploration and naming of El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Belize was under way. The nearly simultaneous invasions of Honduras in 1524 by four separate Spanish expeditions began an era of conflict among rival claimants and the indigenous people. Major initial expeditions were led by González Dávila and Cristóbal de Olid, (dispatched from Cuba by Cortés). However, one Francisco de Las Casas was then dispatched to oversee the ambitious Olid, and finally Cortés himself came. Further Honduras expeditions under Pedro de Alvarado of Guatemala and Hernando de Soto of Nicaragua only helped complicate matters. In October of that year the first royal governor, Diego López de Salcedo, also arrived. His policies, however, drove many indigenous people, once pacified by Cortés, into revolt. Attempts to extend his jurisdiction into Nicaragua resulted in his imprisonment, but he was released after agreeing to a Nicaraguan-imposed definition of the boundary.

The early 1530s was the decimation of the indigenous population through disease, mistreatment, and exportation to the Caribbean islands as slaves. The Spanish crown renamed the depressed province as Honduras-Higueras, subdividing it into two districts. Higueras (figs) encompassed the occident while the rest was still Honduras. The decline in population of the province continued, and only the direct intervention of Pedro de Alvarado from Guatemala in 1536 kept Higueras from being abandoned. Alvarado was attracted by prospects of gold. With the help of native Guatemalans he soon developed the profitable gold mining town of Gracias. Gold and silver deposits increased the demand for enforced indigenous labor leading to renewed resistance. A major uprising in 1537 was lead by a capable young Lenca chieftain known as Lempira (after whom the Honduran national monetary unit would eventually be named). Lempira established his base on a fortified hill known as the Peñol de Cerquín and successfully defeated all efforts to subdue him until murdered while negotiating with the Spaniards in 1538. After his demise, resistance rapidly disintegrated through 1539. The loss of Lempira accelerated the decimation of the indigenous people. In 1539 15,000 natives lived under Spanish control; two just years later, only 8,000 were left! Most of these were divided into encomiendas, which put native villagers under the control of Spanish settlers. The Spaniards were expected to provide the people with religious instruction and collect tribute from them for the crown. In return, the Spanish were entitled to limited use of indigenous labor. As native populations declined, those remaining were even more ruthlessly exploited. This led to a clash between Spanish authorities on one side and Father Cristóbal de Pedraza on the other. In 1542 he became the first bishop of Honduras but gained little success in protecting the natives.

Despite the preceding, her rugged topography, inadequate ports on the Pacific, and relative lack of natural resources is often used to explain the historical underdevelopment of Honduras. Extensive mountain ranges kept Honduras from being considered as a site for a trans-isthmian canal in the nineteenth century. This isolated the new nation from much of the international intrigue that plagued Nicaragua and Panama. Even the capital, Tegucigalpa, is comparatively isolated; located high in the central mountains, it is removed from the isthmus's main north-south transportation routes. San Pedro Sula is more in the mainstream of social and economic development. This led to its rise of in the twentieth century as the nation's commercial & industrial center. Hence Honduras alone, unlike her sister republics, in not dominated by a single city. Honduras never produced a totally dominant landholding oligarchy like El Salvador and Guatemala with their massive areas of flat land for plantations. As a result she has enjoyed a more egalitarian society with a less rigid class structure than its neighbors.

Honduran rainfall is abundant in Caribbean lowlands and on some north-facing mountain slopes, but most of the few arable valleys are dry. Aerial views of landscapes can appear barren in contrast to the lush mountains of Guatemala and southern Mexico.

Along with her four neighbors, Honduras, declared independence from Spain in September 15, 1821 and was part of the United Provinces of Central America until November 15, 1838. She then seceded from the federation to became a completely independent country. In the early twentieth century Honduras has been victimized by states manipulating politics to suit their interests (including occupation by U.S. Marines). Then the United Fruit Company and Standard Fruit Company so dominated the economy that they were perceived as holding power equal to the Honduran president. Although economic diversification helps to correct this, Honduras is still sensitively dependent on external forces. In the 1980s, security concerns centered on the Nicaraguan border; in the early 1990s, it was El Salvador due to insurgency problems and border disputes. Most recently, hurricane Mitch has interjected unprecedented challenges. For consider how 90% of the people may be unaware of 90% of the foregoing - whereas every Honduran soul knows of Mitch's mighty devastation.

So how are we to interpret the above? Surely no one can expect to explain Honduras in 1600 words or even ten times that number. Indeed, I dare argue that I have seen, in the eyes of many a Honduran child, more wisdom and more knowledge concerning the real meta-meaning of Honduras than any mere phrase could ever portray. Perhaps an enduring dignity, a propriety, has some how been preserved deep within the anima of people who still know to cherish the earth upon which their very lives are propagated. Consider a history authored by the very men who's every action reeked of disdain for a land and it's people. Now how, pray tell, can we expect such a record to furnish any deep insights into what they destroyed/conquered? There is however another account, one which I trust lives on in the hoi polloi's soul esoteric, if not the very terra firma itself. Misplaced memories awaiting reverent minds ready to recall a powerful poetic past.

Conquistador -- a wholly Spanish word applicable to men of any era. Yet it is probably even better known to the American English speaking than adiós, or sombrero. Moreover, its definition is restricted in English as revealed by Random House Webster:

Such a linguistic anomaly is rare and quite telling. However, even in the realistic likelihood that the preceding accounts of atrocities are understated, any condemnation is far from our principal theme. For cruelty is fundamentally an affliction borne of the human's formidable capacity for bêtise. I pray that when/if mortal defense of self or others is warranted, I will act unreserved - with the full force of every capacity. However, while rare circumstances may call for fighting fire with fire; confronting hate and stupidity with just an alternate version of the same error will never rectify anything. No population of humankind is evil, and bad apples need not ruin the whole basket. Reflect upon the many invasions of ancient China. The encroachers with their weapons of war failed to destroy the people. By peacefully assimilating the best of an invaders culture the Chinese transformed the foreigner into a familiar. So in the final analysis, the wisdom and heritage of China prevailed over the enemy's armaments. Likewise, the full character and mystique of Honduras involves an ongoing integration of a great variety of cultural forces whose end result is positively profound.

All this, of course, is simply a prelude to a much simpler matter; namely the fundamental essence of Honduras Primera. I have previously written that 1) "We serve as a liaison that brings Honduran organizations into efficient working partnerships with foreign concerns. Recently we are absorbed in helping US relief agencies with efforts in Honduras." and 2) "Our goal is to help spawn endeavors promoting basic health & wealth for Hondurans who can see Central America as a primary, world-class place to live and work." And those words certainly do identify the nature of our core activities. Yet it is the motivation underlying these interest and projects that uncovers what we are essentially about -- a committed desire to prove the power of the spirit of Honduras.

"Primero" is a wonderful Spanish word with several connotations, all of which serve well for revealing the raison d'être of our organization. As previously presented - in a original/primal/primero sense, the term "Honduras" suggests a depth or profoundness that relates to a region extending from the southern most reaches of Mexico on into Panama. Which makes the country of Honduras the heartland of this special domain. It is especially befitting for Honduras to serve as the cultural nucleus since her secluding terrain sheltered her from the more thorough conquest suffered by her sister states.

Our first three pages of 'normal' history hopefully highlights how lacking the naming of names in a one sided accounting always is. In the realm of humans, the individual must reign supreme (so any scheme that demands the sacrifice/slavery of flesh & blood sentient individuals to abstractions such as society or state is woefully and necessarily errant). However, secondhand veneration of historical figures only serves to subvert appreciation of real individuals.

In fact the humans obsessive impulse to worship is frequently manipulated to use an individuals notoriety against them;  to systematically subvert their teachings, to steel their true identity and attempt to destroy everything they stood far. The most poignantly prominent masters of this duplicitous art are the suzerains of fiat currency;  where, everything hinges upon magniloquent illusion. In the U.S., those who most vehemently opposed the fiat corruption of money are the very ones who's names and images are used to endorse a dollar they vigorously fought to prevent. Likewise in Honduras, exists the same irony. Lempira was a man who's life and valor was spent in defense of the indigenous peoples. He was ultimately murdered during negotiations. Lempira now suffers a twisted 'honor' by appearing on the monetary unit bearing his name. What could be more vile than being used in death to credit a currency whose routine devaluations enslaves his people to the advantage of his moral enemies. This is common, however, when the audacity shamelessly exceeds all conscionable gall, when a lie is prettify and made inconceivably big, it is swallowed with glee.

So I shy away from the formally famed heros of history. For there are too many manipulative, distorting power plays involving these weightily icons. If any awe is merited it must be for the principles/ideas that evoked the momentous events. Since nothing is so powerful as an idea who's time has come. And this process rests not with kings nor the bombastic, but it belongs to the individual alone. A defining force available to any according to their comprehension -- a perspective duly affirming individual worth.

Hence it is not the conquistadors and persons of 'power' we deem profound; nor the prideful and pompous, but the flesh & blood souls who live every day life with integrity and meaning. Yes, Honduras Primero essentially relates to the principal or foremost depth that is Honduras;  namely her people profound -- particularly those who know how to raise happy children of hope. Here we find the spirit and depth that best defines the greater region at large. And also a place where diversification & tolerance among fellow mortals is more gracefully embraced. A reprieve from the incredible obfuscation of fact and logic that is too often harbored in the minds of many regarding 'race'.

Now in the closing phase of this essay comes the primary thrust and overriding objective of this effort. The whole vision of Honduras Primero deserves a point of focus - a symbol appropriate to what we stand for - a thing indicative of the best of Honduras. This I have found in the person of Señor Cleofes Borjas (14 March 1926 to 3 February '98. He was both the strongest and weakest member of his household. For the depth of his character set the whole family's moral mode. Yet when we first met, he was so close to death that the light was almost lost from his eyes. Nevertheless, his quick trust quietly honored me beyond words and was the basis of his family's warm acceptance.

An over done identity/admiration of Conquistadors seems to lead to an imbalanced sense of machismo, which can unfavorably impact families. While the sons of Cleofes are decent in this regard, the same cannot be said of his daughters' husbands. In fact, my first contact with this family was through his granddaughter who's father had completely abandoned her. While common, this is an aberration to natural Honduran propriety, and will be corrected in time by the example set by good men like Cleofes. However, the for the child that was forsaken the impact is harsh. In my friend's case, her mother was then unable to care for her;  fortunately she found a caring nurturing home with her grand parents. And while it was evident that she was well regarded in the household her first question to me in private was very telling. She wanted to know if she was … something, but our negligible knowledge of the others language was getting in the way. Then in the fading light she finds the word in my Spanish/English dictionary and with her finger still under the word I realize that she wanted to know if I thought she was "worthless". The impact of her question forever cracked opened an insight into how devastating it can be to lack the most critical ingredient to a good life - self-respect. And thanks to Cleofes everyone in his household at least received his kindly regard. For in a land where too many neglected young kids are tragically deprived of an inner knowledge of their own true worth, Señor Borjas strove to impart this to his prodigy. The happiness I witnessed in his extended family, the constant caring they showed one another, and everyone's profound fondness for him testified to his rich character, guidance, and fortitude.

These memories burn undiminished in me yet today and impassion the quest to further promote the wisdom practiced by Señor Borjas. So this father's good obviously lives on not only in his children and grandchildren, but also as a meaningful contribution to Honduras Primero. For his teachings and spirit serves as a prime component to all that we work for. Hopefully he and numerous other strong men and women shall be long remembered in substantial and material ways long into a better future.

I have read that given the grim social indicators, it is surprising that Honduras has managed to avoid, the political violence that plagued her neighbors with like problems. Yet despite others' predictions of limited resources leading to growing pressures and violent social unrest, we see a hidden underlying wherewithal more important in the long term than even external sanctions or aid. The promise of this deliverance is well demonstrated through the lives of those such as our moral mentor Señor Borjas.