Benito Palermo Cruz López “Tata Palermo”
Benito Palermo Cruz López, spiritually known as Tata Sikalvid, is a descendant of the Maya peoples of the Mountains, recognized as the Milperos. He currently serves as National Director of the Indigenous Association of Ancestral Peoples (AIPAN) and Administrative Deputy Director at El Salvador’s Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. He has also been National Secretary of Raíces Indígenas [Indigenous Roots] of El Salvador and National Coordinator of Indigenous Amerindian Communities.
His career combines public administration with a deep commitment to ancestral resurgence and the defense of the rights of original peoples and educators. As a Solar Deacon and spokesperson among Nawuat Pipil, Lenka, and Maya peoples, he promotes dialogue and cooperation across communities. He also leads seminars on energetic health and spiritual formation for tatas and elders. He is currently developing a project to compile ancestral rituals of the native peoples of Nequepio (El Salvador).