This collection of folklore offers a rich and lively panorama of Mayan mythic heritage. Here are everyday tales of village life; legends of witches, shamans, spiritualists, tricksters, and devils; fables of naguales, or persons who can change into animal forms; ribald stories of love and life; cautionary tales of strange and menacing neighbors and of the danger lurking within the human heart. These legends narrate origin and creation stories, explain the natural world, and reinforce cultural beliefs and values such as honesty, industriousness, sharing, fairness, and cleverness. Whether tragic or comic, fantastic or earthy, whimsical or profound, these tales capture the mystery, fragility, and power of the Mayan world.
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A delightful collection by the eminent anthropologist and his Mayan collaborator. Written in an oral style, filled with ancient wisdom -- NACLA Report on the Americas, May, 1992
Folklore is both literature and an ethnographic record. Sexton's collection can be appreciated from a wide variety of perspectives that fall somewhere between the literary and the ethnographic. ...the collection serves splendidly the purpose of a wide variety of readers. All levels -- Choice, May, 1993
In many of the stories, kindness to animals is urged. Of the stories with this theme, I especially liked 'The Man Who Changed into a God,' perhaps because its sense of justice most nearly matches my own -- Washington Post Book World, Sunday, July, 1992
Resulting from twenty years of careful field research by an esteemed anthropologist, this assembly is a rich array of enduring legends and tales sustained in the Mayan heritage. The work favors known folk heroes and narratives endemic to Mayan culture. Sexton includes classic, vital accounts of fables, legends and cautionary tales and rituals. His lucid collection provides glimpses of ancient and contemporary examples of folk narrative that reflect the values and beliefs thriving in this exotic, tropical land -- Come-All-Ye, V. 13, Fall 1992
The diaries (Son of Tecun Uman: A Maya Indian Tells His Life Story 1981; Campesino: The Diary of a Guatemalan Indian 1985; Ignacio) and the folktales weave together to provide one of the most important sets of documents we have for Guatemala and Mesoamerica.
Folklore is both literature and an ethnographic record. Sexton's collection can be appreciated from a wide variety of perspectives that fall somewhere between the literary and the ethnographic. ...the collection serves splendidly the purpose of a wide variety of readers. All levels -- Choice, May, 1993
In many of the stories, kindness to animals is urged. Of the stories with this theme, I especially liked 'The Man Who Changed into a God,' perhaps because its sense of justice most nearly matches my own -- Washington Post Book World, Sunday, July, 1992
Resulting from twenty years of careful field research by an esteemed anthropologist, this assembly is a rich array of enduring legends and tales sustained in the Mayan heritage. The work favors known folk heroes and narratives endemic to Mayan culture. Sexton includes classic, vital accounts of fables, legends and cautionary tales and rituals. His lucid collection provides glimpses of ancient and contemporary examples of folk narrative that reflect the values and beliefs thriving in this exotic, tropical land -- Come-All-Ye, V. 13, Fall 1992
The diaries (Son of Tecun Uman: A Maya Indian Tells His Life Story 1981; Campesino: The Diary of a Guatemalan Indian 1985; Ignacio) and the folktales weave together to provide one of the most important sets of documents we have for Guatemala and Mesoamerica.
The folktales display aspects of the Tzutuhil worldview and affective life not found in the diaries. For example, in life, a strict morality governs relations between the spouses. In art, there is a tense, lusty, more open relationship. In life, laziness is a scandal, nearly a sin. In art, laziness combined with cunning can pay off. In origin myths, the Tzutuhil rework the Garden of Eden story and somehow make it less stern than the western version. The folktales also describe the morality of reciprocity, beliefs in ultimate justice, robust sexuality, Chaucerian priests, tricksters, and the Tzutuhil natural and supernatural landscape. Many of the tales are cautionary, reflections of what is and what ought to be, and many of them are strong, ribald, just plain racy, and funny stories.
The Bizarro-Sexton team is a rare good event for Mesoamerican scholarship. They have produced documents of great value to ethnographers, historians, political scientists, community developers, folklorists, and the general audience. The documents will be mined and minded for generations -- Ethnohistory, Vol. 30, 1993
The handsome, colorfully designed book recounts the folk tales in simple, straightforward language. The stories are funny, sad, poignant and always moving -- Arizona Daily Sun, June 9, 1992
The native tales in this collection offer a rich and lively panorama of Mayan mythic heritage, with a broad selection of both ancient and contemporary voices. Included are legends of witches and shamans, spiritualists, tricksters, and devils; fables of magic and metamorphosis; absurd and wild stories of love and life; and cautionary tales of the danger lurking within the human heart -- UCLA Magazine, Fall 1992
The tales are a mixture of different types including creation tales and tales of village life, but all the tales are entertaining and educational. This book of folktales is an interesting addition to any folklore collection -- Kliatt, Vol. 26, September 1992
This wonderful collection of stories from the rich Mayan mythic heritage contains a panorama of tales about witches, shamans, spiritualists, and picaresque figures who inhabit the upper and underworlds -- Colonial Latin America Historical Review, Summer 1999
From the Inside Flap
Whether tragic or comic, fantastic or earthy, whimsical or profound, these tales capture the mystery, fragility, and power of the Mayan world.
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26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
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By Janet M. Carey (Littleton, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mayan Folktales: Folklore from Lake Atitlán, Guatemala (Paperback)
Reviewer, Dr. Janet M. Carey from Littleton, COWithin this book Sexton has translated and edited thirty-five Mayan folktales told to him by his friend Ignacio Bizarro Ujpan who is a Tzutuhil Mayan Indian living in a town along the shores of Lake Atitlan in the highlands of Guatemala. The tales related are witty, fun and serious and sometimes bring one up with a start. This is a delightful book to read, but along with being entertaining it is a demonstration of the value of folktales within the anthropological realm of the study of a culture. Analytical work such as Sexton has performed within the pages of Mayan Folktales, as he presents the tales for our enjoyment, also provides a window through which his audience can look to grasp a concept of Mayan thought and culture, modern and ancient. It has been a recognized fact since the 19th century that information exists within the midst of a vast floating body of folk traditions and practices which can add to the speculation of cultural origins, personality, values and attitudes. Sexton's Introduction is a story in itself and gives the reader the background needed to thoroughly understand and enjoy the tales, his Notes give additional needed explanations. This book is not only a delight to read, but is also demonstrates the rich source of cultural insight concerning obligations, beliefs, values and thought systems to be found in folklore about how a people rationalize political, religious, social and economic behavior.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Could use an edit,
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This review is from: Mayan Folktales: Folklore from Lake Atitlán, Guatemala (Paperback)
We actually only read one story in this book because the one we read was rambling and not very well written. The book--well, that one story--needs a good editor. On the other hand, the story was authentic Mayan (I assume), and for that reason, I am glad we have to book, and we will read other stories in it over time. It was interesting to see how different the ending was compared to how a moral fable would end in our culture. The kids (7 and 9) found it interesting as well. They were quite surprised by the ending.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Master Work of Mayan Folklore,
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This review is from: Mayan Folktales: Folklore from Lake Atitlán, Guatemala (Paperback)
James Sexton has done it again with this engaging collection of folktales from the Lake Atitlan region of Guatemala, in Central America. Here are stories of corrupt authorities, sneaky thieves, desperate poor men and frightening supernatural beings that influence or outright control the lives of the Maya Indians. Sexton is an A+ editor who knows how to tell a rollicking good tale, and he has selected a couple dozen winners which give you a broad overview of many areas of Mayan life in the modern world. Folk tales take you into the imaginative life of a people, and these will show you Mayan hopes and dreams, fears and longings even as they weave stories of earth lords, intelligent animals and brave men trying to take care of their families in trying circumstances. If you're into the Maya this book is a must buy; if you're a lover of folktales this work will expand your repertoire of world cultures and introduce you to the Maya Indians; if you're a general reader here is a fun read that will remind you of Grimm's Fairy Tales and the oral tradition that the industrialized countries have all but lost. James Sexton is a first-rate story collector and story teller, and I recommend all his works most highly.
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