Malinalco: A Living Landscape

Since ancient times, springs and streams have been of great importance in the Valley of Malinalco. The main population centers, such as Malinalco and Chalma, were established near rivers and creeks.

Water was channeled through irrigation ditches known as apantles (from atl, water, and pantli, row or line) to irrigate terraces and metepantles (from metl, maguey), as well as maize fields and home gardens.

The traditional milpa, composed of Maize, Beans, and Squash—along with other species such as quelites, Tomatoes, and Chili Peppers—has long been recognized for providing a balanced and nutritious diet.

The word milpa comes from the Nahuatl milpan, meaning “cultivated field.” In Malinalco, at least seven of Mexico’s 59 native maize varieties are grown: ancho, bolita, yellow and white conical, negrito, olotillo, and pepitilla.

In Malinalco’s traditional family gardens, known as quilmillis, around 50 native fruit species are cultivated, including Avocado, Guava, Yellow Mombin, Cuajilote, Bonete, Black and White Sapote, Sapodilla, Canistel, Cuajinicuil, Guamuchil, Jackfruit, and Mamey Sapote.

There are also introduced fruit trees such as Mango, Sweet Lime, Mandarin, Orange, Pomegranate, Blackberry, Apple, and Loquat. These gardens provide food, medicine, ritual items, goods for barter, and materials for personal care.

A traditional market that maintains social ties.
The open-air market is set up every Wednesday near the Augustinian convent complex and reflects the natural and cultural richness of Malinalco.

The colorful market offers a variety of local fruits such as Jackfruit, Tejocote, Guamuchil, Nance, and Red Mombin; harvested vegetables such as a variety of quelites; edible flowers such as American Coral Tree; and medicinal plants such as Gordolobo, Pericón and Toloache.