Religions of Mesoamerica: Cosmovision and Ceremonial Centers (Religious Traditions of the World) [Paperback]

David Carrasco (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 1990 | Series: Religious Traditions of the World

A vivid introduction to the native religions of Mexico and Central America from one of the leading scholars in the field.

In this first introductory text to cover thoroughly the Mesoamerican religious traditions, David Carrasco provides an overview of the history of Mesoamerican cultures and describes their religious forms, structures, myths, and prevailing "cosmovision"--the Mesoamerican view of time and space and its ritualized representation and enactment.Carrassco details the dynamic of two important, representative cultures--the Aztec and the Maya--and discusses the impact of the Spanish conquest and the continuity of native traditions into the post-Columbian and contemporary eras. Integrating recent archaeological discoveries in Mexico City, he brings about a comprehensive understanding of ritual human sacrifice, a subject often ignored in religious studies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Clear, crisp and engaging...Carrasco conveys the long-term vitality of religious expression in Mexico and celebrates the creative potential of the human imagination." -- William B. Taylor, professor of history, University of Virginia

From the Publisher

An introduction to the native religions of Mexico and Central America from a foremost scholar in the field.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco (October 12, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060613254
• ISBN-13: 978-0060613259
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,321,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good insight into Mesoamerican religions, March 31, 2000

By 

Ann Lutterman-Aguilar (Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Religions of Mesoamerica: Cosmovision and Ceremonial Centers (Paperback)

I was delighted to find this book, as the author does a marvelous job of explaining the religons of complex cultures such as the Olmecs, Toltecs, Aztecs and Mayans in a way that is thoughtful and easy to read. Unlike several other similar texts, this is not boring. Nor do you need to be an anthropologist to enjoy or understand this text. It opens up fascinating worldviews to the average reader. I highly recommend it. Good chronology included.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Space and time before Christianity, July 3, 2007

By 

Newton Ooi (Phoenix, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Religions of Mesoamerica: Cosmovision and Ceremonial Centers (Paperback)

This book was an assigned text in a class I took on Latin American history. It covers the view of the world, in a spiritual, religious and philosophical sense, as adopted by the Aztecs, Mayans, and several other groups in the area now known as Mexico and Central America. The author explores this world view as it existed prior to Columbus, and in the proceeding centuries as influences such as Christianity seeped in. The author cites many primary and secondary sources, such as ancient Native American texts, journal entries from early Spanish explorers, and oral histories of Native Mexicans. The book is more than a religious studies text; it also explores the history of contact between the Spanish and the natives, and shows how this contact changed the worldviews of the Native Americans.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A basic set of tools for understanding all systems..., July 8, 2000

By 

Kiera - See all my reviews

This review is from: Religions of Mesoamerica: Cosmovision and Ceremonial Centers (Religious Traditions of the World) (Paperback)

In terms of understanding the way the human creature perceives the world around it, Carrasco offers a set of tools from which to build a nearly universal understanding of far more than just Mesoamerican belief systems. The need found in one religious system is universal to others because they serve the same basic human need. World-centering, world-renewing and world-making are all done in every system of religious or philosphical belief.

Carrasco's study of Mesoamerican belief is detailed and fascinating. It can lead one into a much larger view of the world.