Mexico - Bankilal

In 2022, we discovered Los Altos de Chiapas, a region inhabited primarily by Tzeltal Indigenous communities. It holds a strong reputation in the specialty coffee industry due to its high altitudes—ideal for coffee cultivation—and because traditional varieties such as Typica and Bourbon are still grown, offering complex cup profiles.

This coffee was named Bankilal, a figure of authority in Tzeltal Indigenous culture representing the “older brother,” whose role is to care for the younger siblings, setting aside personal interests for the well-being of the community.

Agriculture in Los Altos is unique because traditional practices are still preserved—such as polycultures, where coffee plants grow under the shade and protection of other tree species, promoting resilience, biodiversity conservation, and environmental services.

A standout ancestral system is the milpa, a cornerstone of local farming, where maize, beans, qualities, chayote, and squash coexist harmoniously in the same space, promoting food sovereignty and diversified diets. Coffee is the main commercial crop, complemented by artisanal activities and animal husbandry - especially sheep, which are mainly managed by women and provide wool for clothing and manure to fertilise the land.