Xurt'an The End Of The World And Other Myths - Songs

Charms And chants by the northern lacandones of naha' Xurt’an the end of the world showcases the rich storytelling traditions of the northern lacandones of naha’ through a collection of traditional narratives, songs, and ritual speech.Formerly isolated in the dense, tropical rainforest of chiapas, mexico, the lacandon maya constitute one of the smallest language groups in the world.Although their language remains active and alive, their traditional culture was abandoned after the death of their religious and civic leader in 1996.Lacking the traditional contexts in which the culture was transmitted, the oral traditions are quickly being forgotten. This collection includes creation myths that describe the cycle of destruction and renewal of the world, the structure of the universe, the realms of the gods and their intercessions in the affairs of their mortals, and the journey of the souls after death.Other traditional stories are non-mythic and fictive accounts involving talking animals, supernatural beings, and malevolent beings that stalk and devour hapless victims.In addition to traditional narratives, xurt’an presents many songs that are claimed to have been received from the lord of maize, magical charms that invoke the forces of the natural world, invocations to the gods to heal and protect, and work songs of lacandon women, whose contribution to lacandon culture has been hitherto overlooked by scholars.Women’s songs offer a rare glimpse into the other half of lacan...

Charms And chants by the northern lacandones of naha' Xurt’an the end of the world showcases the rich storytelling traditions of the northern lacandones of