The legend of El Q'anil, the "Man of Lightning," stands alongside such classic Maya literary artifacts as Popol Vuh and Chilam Balam but has been preserved only through the oral tradition of the Jakaltek Maya. In this tale, the young man Xhuwan Q'anil brings lightning to his people in order to save them from destruction. He undertakes a journey of adventure, participates in a great war, and is subsequently immortalized. It is a story that all Jakaltek children learn, one that reinforces their identity by showing that their people have a hero who lives in each Jakaltek Maya today. Victor...
The legend of El Q'anil, the "Man of Lightning," stands alongside such classic Maya literary artifacts as Popol Vuh and Chilam Balam but has been pres...
Discovered in a church in Chichicastenango in 1701, the "Popol Vuj" is one of the few Mayan documents to survive the Spanish conquest. Stories that describe the creation of the Maya universe and humans are presented in vivid images and captivating text in this first authoritative children's version of the ancient and sacred text.
Discovered in a church in Chichicastenango in 1701, the "Popol Vuj" is one of the few Mayan documents to survive the Spanish conquest. Stories that de...
