The Maya of today are a remarkable people who are the direct heirs to the magnificent Maya culture of Pre-Columbian times. The introduction to his book tells us that the Maya were writing books in a phonetic script 1,500 years before Columbus discovered the New World. The corn, beans and squash that we eat today were first cultivated by the Maya and their neighbors. Basic mathematical concepts were sued in astronomical calculations. Maya craftsmen were building pyramids and palaces without metal tools.
The Maya created the most advanced civilization in the New World with a technology that was neolithic. But, for some unknown reason, the Classic Maya collapsed. Then the Spaniards came, destroyed the Mayan cities, enslaved the people, and imposed a new religion. Although the Maya civilization has all but vanished, there are still almost 4 million living southern Mexico and Central America.
The author describes the history, society and religious beliefs of these photography tips diy blog people – all of which makes fascinating reading. The photographs, in brilliant color, illustrate the points made in the text, showing the architecture, sculpture and, most importantly, the Mayan people – in their colorful, original-design, hand-woven and embroidered dress, at work with their children, on the farms, planting corn, in the home, carrying flowers to the market, and buying and selling in the open-air markets.
Mayan women pray for the grace and skill to weave and then learn the techniques from their mothers. The author tells us “The design of the universe is woven, with clarity and purpose, line by line, into Mayan cloth. The weaver maps the motion of the sun through the heavens and the underworld through time and space.” The design also incorporates many symbols pertaining to the legends, myths and religious beliefs of the Mayans.
The book concludes with an Epilogue – the first sentences of which outdoor photography tips are: “Maya culture will soon disappear. Who can resist the tide of progress?” When the author suggested this to his Mayan friends, they were shocked and vigorously denied such thoughts. The author points out that the Maya have lived in the same area for thousands of years with the same beliefs as their ancestors. “The world has changed, but the Maya view of what is proper and sacred has remained the same,” Morris writes.
The text of this book is exceptionally well written and beautifully presented. It is obvious that considerable study and research went into these descriptions of the history and life of the Mayan people. And, the photographs are beautiful – exceptional in composition, light and color. The colors, especially in the photographs of women weaving beautiful designs into cloth and of the cloth after photography tips myanmar it’s been made into clothing, are joy to look at again and again. In addition to the stunning photographic sections, each chapter also is enhanced with numerous line drawings. It is abundantly evident that much love for the subject, by the author, photographer and publisher, have gone into the book.
f_auto
Walter F. Morris Jr. has been studying and writing about Maya culture since he moved to Chiapas, Mexico, in 1972. He is fluent in several Mayan languages. Jeffrey Jay Foxx is an ethnographic photographer of international repute. He was involve with the Maya for 10 years. He has travelled extensively throughout Mexico and Central America – on his own, with Morris, and on assignment for such publications as Life and National Geographic.