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Living Maya
Looks at the daily life and culture of the modern Maya people and discusses the connections with the civilization of their ancient ancestors
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 31, 2017
Fabrics, festivals, fotos
It's probably not that easy to learn Tzotzil or gain the trust of people who have been pushed around and exploited for centuries. Morris no doubt did it and after considerable time and effort, emerged with a beautiful book on the highland Maya communities of Chiapas in Mexico. There are a number of other anthropological studies, framed in other ways, but this one, focusing on the textiles woven by the women, has not only great detail about the symbolism and meaning of the many designs, but also great photographs by Foxx, who also had to win the trust of the highand Maya, who often don't like photographers at all. The festivals during the year are also described and depicted in beautiful photographs as well. While short on history and long on mythology, I liked this book because 1) it puts to rest the idea that some people might have that the Maya were an ancient civilization that disappeared long ago. No, they are alive! And 2) I like the book because it deals very well with the synthesis of Maya and Spanish Catholic culture that has taken place over the centuries since the Conquistadors first arrived. I was interested to compare Morris' work with my own in Goa, another place where violent invasion and resulting merging of belief and behaviors ultimately produced a new culture. You could obtain this book just for the photos alone, but if you read the text you will gain a lot of knowledge and also respect the work that the author must have done.
It's probably not that easy to learn Tzotzil or gain the trust of people who have been pushed around and exploited for centuries. Morris no doubt did it and after considerable time and effort, emerged with a beautiful book on the highland Maya communities of Chiapas in Mexico. There are a number of other anthropological studies, framed in other ways, but this one, focusing on the textiles woven by the women, has not only great detail about the symbolism and meaning of the many designs, but also great photographs by Foxx, who also had to win the trust of the highand Maya, who often don't like photographers at all. The festivals during the year are also described and depicted in beautiful photographs as well. While short on history and long on mythology, I liked this book because 1) it puts to rest the idea that some people might have that the Maya were an ancient civilization that disappeared long ago. No, they are alive! And 2) I like the book because it deals very well with the synthesis of Maya and Spanish Catholic culture that has taken place over the centuries since the Conquistadors first arrived. I was interested to compare Morris' work with my own in Goa, another place where violent invasion and resulting merging of belief and behaviors ultimately produced a new culture. You could obtain this book just for the photos alone, but if you read the text you will gain a lot of knowledge and also respect the work that the author must have done.
February 21, 2022
If you have an interest in Central American weaving, this book is invaluable. The author is an expert in the area, lived for some time in Chiapas, and has curated textile exhibits in the U.S. The photographs that accompany the text are lovely, and among a rather small number that exist since the Maya prefer not to be photographed.
In addition to the information about weaving techniques and designs, the author describes religious practices which are an interesting example of syncretism, the Maya having adopted Christianity but blended it in many ways with their traditional beliefs. He offers a summary of the history of the conquest and scattered events since the early 16th c., but this is in no manner a well-organized history text.
For those doing the 2022 Pop-sugar reading challenge, this book is an example of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winners, and stands out as quite different from the other kinds of reading to be done during this year.
In addition to the information about weaving techniques and designs, the author describes religious practices which are an interesting example of syncretism, the Maya having adopted Christianity but blended it in many ways with their traditional beliefs. He offers a summary of the history of the conquest and scattered events since the early 16th c., but this is in no manner a well-organized history text.
For those doing the 2022 Pop-sugar reading challenge, this book is an example of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winners, and stands out as quite different from the other kinds of reading to be done during this year.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews