Secrets of the Talking Jaguar: Memoirs from the Living Heart of a Mayan Village
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.50 (726 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0874779707 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 304 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-07-03 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
. From Publishers Weekly As late as the 1970s, among the Tzutujil Indians of Santiago Atitlan, in Guatemala, there was no word for "time," and the concept closest to the verb "to be" was the state of "belonging to"?in this case, to their village, which these descendants of ancient Mayans believed was the center of the universe. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. While his view seems at times romanticized, the picture he creates of idyllic Indian life?of the Indians' well-being, colorful rituals and rapport with nature?is so beautifully drawn that his delight in their culture becomes contagious, as does his grief when civil war creates havoc in their village. At the core of their philosophy was a rejection of progress?everything of importance had happened in the past. Their religion, which relied on communion with animal and plant spirits to understand daily existence, appealed deeply to Prechtel, a half Native American who grew
JOY A. said Three Stars. sounded like he was high most of the book. "Brings the Reader deep within the village truths" according to Lynetta Anne. An amazing book, filled with insights and deeply wise. I particularly appreciated the honesty that allowed us to grow in understanding through following Prechtel's errors and misunderstandings a deeply moving memoir. Strongly recommended for anthropologists and shamanic practitioners alike - there are learnings for all.. one of the best books I've ever read C. Symington Anyone with an interest in indigenous people as well as a lust for fascinating accounts of wayward travellers will find this impossible to put down. Humorous, yet poetic at times, the writer has a gift to share, and he does so with incredible dexterity. The insights into how the Maya lived within nature, their social heirarchy, inside jokes, love of life, and slow victimization by 20th (and 21st) century power-mongers make this account a valuable resource for all human beings. Interestingly, the Mayan calendar, put forth centuries ago, ends within this de
Twenty-five years ago, a young musician and painter named Martin Prechtel wandered through the brilliant landscapes of Mexico and Guatemala. The story of his education is a tale filled with enchantment, danger, passion, and hope.. Arriving at Santiago Atitlan, a Tzutujil Mayan village on the breathtaking shores of Lake Atitlan, Prechtel met Nicolas Chiviliu Tacaxoy--perhaps the most famous shaman in Tzutujil history--who believed Prechtel was the new student he had asked the gods to provide. For the next thirteen years, Prechtel studied the ancient Tzutujil culture and became a village chief and a famous shaman in his