Living Maya
Curator Morris and photographer Foxx here offer a rare glimpse of the vibrant contemporary Mayan culture. Classic Mayan civilization collapsed in the 10th century, but, writes Morris, three million Maya reside in Yucatan, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Another million "extremely conservative" Maya, isolated from outsiders, live in the Chiapas Highlands of Mexico, and they are the subject of this volume: "The food they eat, the way it is prepared, the stories, myths and dreams they tell..., the festivals they celebrate each season of the year are all parts of a tradition that the Maya say God gave to them 'at the beginning of the world.' " This rich tapestry of history, myths, pen-and-ink drawings and striking color pictures evokes multifarious landscapes, textiles, people and ritual. The detailed description of the ancient technique of weaving will interest students of art, anthropology and religion alike.Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.