*Maya Culture Art Workshops about Contemporary Maya
Culture
The instructors of our Maya Project did what
they had to do: they finished up teaching the workshops on the ninth chapter
of the activity book about contemporary Maya culture. It was a theme the children
were very much interested in and it is with a sense of satisfaction that we
can say we have contributed to the consciousness of living Maya culture in this
region. After the theory and games, the children made a self portrait. There
was time left to celebrate this last workshop of the year with lollypops on
behalf of our organization and big thank-you’s from the children and teachers
for our instructors. October - November, 2008
*Maya Culture Art Workshops about Archaeology
Our instructors are working very hard to
finish up their project before the school year end on November 3. The eight
chapter of the activity boos is about archaeology and just as last year, the
kids loved it. Instructor Lóndin Velásquez prepared questions
about the theme written on pieces of ceramics that he buried before each class.
The children “excavated” these pieces and tried to answer the questions
found. They also measured and mapped a piece of land near their school, pretending
they were real archaeologists and the pieces of plastic they found were precious
jade… October, 2008
*Maya Culture Art Workshops about Science and Glyphs
Because of our many travels in the months
of August and September, we couldn’t do the usual evaluation after each
chapter, but in stead, the instructors had prepared to teach two chapters at
once. Maya math was as always a favorite among the children, probably because
they’re so different but easy to understand. The concept of the Maya calendar
was a bit harder to understand, but thanks to the gorgeous visuals instructor
Londin had prepared, the kids had a good shot at it. The workshop on Maya glyphs
was also a success: the children made their own codex or painted pieces of ceramics,
just like the ancient Mayas did… August - October, 2008
*Maya Culture Art Workshops about Kings
The archaeological site of Copán is
famous for its sculpture, but also for its vast dynasty of Maya kings. Through
hieroglyphic descriptions and of course the famous stelae, we know quite a bit
about them, and that makes them all the more human and interesting for kids.
During the workshops on the fifth chapter, the children in 18 communities learned
about Yax Kuk' Mo', the founder of the dynasty; the famous Altar Q on which
16 kings are depicted; and about the problems of the last king of Copan, whose
people suffered of diseases and starvation while the king himself was in the
middle of a political struggle. One of the most important things the children
learned is that Maya kings also had the ultimate religious power and were thus
very powerful. As for the artwork, the children made beautiful decorated headdresses,
(like the Maya kings had) and also hand puppets with which they acted out different
royal scenes. July - August, 2008
*Excursion
Archaeological Park for Foreign Children
An excursion for children to the archaeological
site of Copán has become somewhat of our expertise, so it wasn’t
a great surprise when we were approached by tour agency Maya Caribbean to guide
three tours for their very young tourists. The children came with a program
called Elder Hostel that usually only attends the elder people interested in
a learning experience abroad, but this year they offered a special grandparent-grandchild
program. So while the grandparents toured the park with their own “grown-up”
guide, Carin gave the kids a tour. Used as she is to guide big groups of about
forty children from rural communities in Copán, she thought the small
groups of ten kids at the most would be a piece of cake. What a mistake! Whereas
the children from Copán don’t run around, don’t scream and
much less ask any questions, the gringo kids were just the opposite! “Is
it true that the Maya ruins are covered in gold?” “How did the Maya
sacrifice human beings?” “Did the Mayas ride on elephants?”
After setting some rules (Pleeeeaaase…. One question at the time!), the
kids toured the site, then the nature trail and museum. It was an interesting
and challenging experience answering all their questions (that can basically
be summarized as: everything you always wanted to know about human sacrifice!).
It was a long tour and of course the kids got a bit cranky after a while and
started to complain that “they were starving” to which Carin felt
she needed to explain that they were not starving as opposed to some of their
Honduran peers. The tour ended with an art workshop in the picnic area, surrounded
by scarlet macaws. Yet another big difference with the local kids: all those
fancy digital cameras…. June – July, 2008
*Sponsor
Visit MACHI
Twice a year we receive a visit from our
sponsor MACHI and that is always a
good experience. Rather than just coming to check numbers, the people working
for MACHI have become friends and their visit is always an interesting exchange
of experiences. This time it was director Shoshaunna parks who came by for a
few days, together with archaeologist Clair who works as an intern for one of
MACHI’s projects in Belize. We tried to organize a program as varied as
possible, consisting in this case in an excursion for the children of Carrizalito
II to children’s museum Casa K’inich; one of Londin’s art
workshops in Boca del Monte and we saw Moisés in action in Hacienda Grande,
where Shoshi and Londin even played “Maya puppets” together. Of
course we also evaluated the project so far (Besides for the books that are
still not back from the printer, all is well and the instructors have improved
a lot) and worked on de proposal for next year. We have some great plans for
2009! July 9-12, 2008
*Maya
Culture Art Workshops about Religion
Religion is the theme of the fourth chapter
and quite different from last year, it wasn’t met with fear or scepsis.
Whereas last year children were somewhat confused to talk about the multiple
gods and goddesses of the ancient Mayas, this year the theme was received much
more amicably, probably because our students are so much more familiar with
Maya culture than they were before and don’t see their ancient religion
as a threat. Instructors Londin and Moisés experimented with different
games and crafts, making masks still being one of the favourites. But the wishing
tree was also a success: the children wrote and decorated their dreams or wishes
on slips of coloured construction paper after which they hung them in a tree
in the yard or a branch specially cut for the occasion. In a self made service,
the children asked for their wishes to come true. June - July, 2008
*Maya
Cultural Trip through Belize and Guatemala
Our trip tracing the ancient Mayas’
trail through Belize and Guatemala was great! Our Maya Project instructors Londin
and Moisés had never left the country and it and had never seen the flourishing
living Maya culture with their own eyes. Hence the idea for this trip, that
also took us (Londin, Moisés and Carin) along some other projects financed
by our sponsor MACHI.
The first stop was Punta Gorda in Belize after crossing the Bay of Honduras
in a small boat (the first time Moisés saw the ocean!) where we visited
the Julian Cho Society.
From there we went up north towards Tikal and Flores where we were received
by the ProPetén
Foundation, then down to Guatemala City where we spent the night at
Caja Lúdica.
Next on the program was, of course, Lake Atitlan, where we had but an hour to
visit the La Cambalacha
art project. We ended the trip in Antigua and made it home sound and safe after
eight days of traveling. The three of us felt awed, impressed and inspired by
the people they met and the sites they visited. It was an amazing trip they’ll
never forget and it will be a valuable reference in their future classes on
Maya culture. May 14-22, 2008
*Maya
Culture Art Workshops about Nature
During the month of March and April we taught
the second chapter of our activity book in 17 communities for a total of 356
children. An adaptation we made from last year is that we split up the chapter
about agriculture in two parts: One chapter on nature in general (about animals
and the Mayas living in harmony with nature) and one chapter on maize (about
agricultural habits and food). The children very much enjoyed learning about
the different animals the Mayas knew and why some of them were considered sacred.
For the art activity, the children drew their own nahual (personification of
a Maya gods in the shape of an animal). The animal theme was also very inspiring
to do all sorts of dynamic games. March - April, 2008
*Visit
Julian Cho Society from Belize
The Julian
Cho Society runs a similar Maya awareness program in the south of Belize,
also sponsored by MACHI.
To see how we do things in Honduras, three members of JCS, all three Maya Que'qché,
visited Copán Ruinas and joined us in the village of Carrizalón
to see our facilitators in action. It was an interesting exchange of experiences
and the children were fascinated to meet "other" Mayas, even though
they didn't speak spanish! March 27-29, 2008
*Maya
Culture Art Workshops, an Introduction
Continuation of our Maya program that we started last
year, consisting in monthly art workshops in 18 communities about Maya culture,
archaeology and conservation, taught by our facilitators Moisés Mancía
and Londin Velásquez. The first chapter is an introductionto the ancient
Maya in Copán Ruinas. To help the children understand the expansiveness
of the Maya empire, as an art activity they made maps of the Maya world.
February - March, 2008
* Activity Book Maya Culture in Copán
Publication of three new editions of an activity book for children (grade 4, 5, 6) about ancient and contemporary Maya culture in Copán, archaeology and conservation. March, 2008
* Maya Cultural Fair
A two-day cultural fair with art workshops for the 120 invited children form Maya Chortí communities (all participants of our Maya project); a tour through children's museum Casa k'inich; indigenous protest music, a stilts & acrobatics show and the premiere of our Maya documentary. December 28-29, 2007
* Documentary Maya Culture in Copán
Production of a 30 minute documentary that explores the living Maya culture in Copán Ruinas. Premiere: December 28, 2007
* Promo Film Maya Culture
Production of a 2-minute promo film about our Maya project, for the web site of our sponsor, the MACHI Project. To see the film, click here. August, 2006
*Excursion to the Archaeological Park Copán Ruinas
Excursion to the ruins and nature trail for 39 children from the communities of Nueva Esperanza and Carrizalón. August 10, 2007
* Coloring Books Maya Culture
Production of 4 editions of a coloring book about Maya culture for children in Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and Mexico, for the MACHI Project. August, 2007
*Maya Culture Art Workshops
During the whole school year of 2007, our Maya facilitators Moisés Mancía and Lóndin Velásquez will teach children in 16 Maya Chortí communities about Maya culture, archaeology and conservation through art activities. February - December, 2007
* Maya Culture in Copán
Publication of an activity book for children about ancient and contemporary Maya culture in Copán, archaeology and conservation. February, 2007
*Maya Culture Awareness Training Program
Training session of two young Maya Chortí facilitators who will conduct artistic workshops on Maya culture in 16 communities. November 2006 - January 2007
*Maya Area Cultural Heritage Initiative Conference
Participation in the MACHI conference (Yucatan, Mexico) on conservation of cultural heritage through non-formal education. October 19-21, 2006
*Maya Culture for Advanced Course Students
Excursions combined with art workshops to the Archeological Park and museums of Copán. September 2006
*Maya Calendar Mural
Workshop about the Maya calendar system, resulting in a collective mural made by the students of grade 4 in Rincón del Buey. August 28, 2006
*Photo, Murals and Film Projects
Photo projects, mural painting and film festivals in 5 Maya Chortí communities.July-December, 2006
*Excursion to the Ruins and Casa K'Inich
Excursion to the ruins and children's museum for 33 children from the village Agua Sucia. October 7, 2005
*Night of the Full Moon
Storytelling during a monthly event organized by the Asociación Copán. July 21, 2005
*Excursion to the Ruins and Casa K'Inich
Excursion to the ruins and children's museum for 27 children from the village El Tigre. June 18, 2005
*Excursion to the Ruins and Casa K'Inich
Excursion to the ruins and children's museum for 28 children from the village Barbasqueadero. June 4, 2005
*Photo-Story in La Pintada
With US photographer Deirdre Portnoy we went to La Pintada to let 25 men, women and children take pictures of their lives, as part of the international Photo-Story Project. The photos were glued in a handmade album that the participants were to keep. The results, in photos and words, are insight views of modern Mayan life in a small community. January 2005
*Excursion to the Ruins and Casa K'Inich
Excursion to the ruins and children's museum for 36 children from the village El Enzino. May 2004
*Excursion to the Ruins and Casa K'Inich
Excursion to the ruins and children's museum for 33 children from the village El Triunfo. May 2004
*The Little Princess, Theatre Play
With 8 seventh grade students of the Mayatan School we adapted the previously performed play into a mute play, performed during the Cultural Fair at the central park in Copán. December 19, 2003
*The Little Princess, Theatre Play
Based on a story by Honduran archeologist Ricardo Agurcia, "The Little Princess" tells the story of a girl who falls asleep and wakes up in the time of the ancient Mayas. She meets the last king of the Mayas in Copán who tells her to spread an ecological message in order to avoid destruction of nature and society in the future, as happened to the Mayas. Performed by 20 students of 5° and 6° grade of the Mayatan School, at the town hall. June 7, 2003
*Mural Indigenous Music
Portable mural used as background for the First Festival of Indigenous Music in Copán Ruinas .December 2002
*Yax Ché Nature Trail at Archaeological Park
Interpretation, design and production of a series of artistic and informative boards about Mayan culture, placed along the nature trail at the ruins of Copán, in collaboration with Chris Mayer. August 2002
*Art Exhibition: Chortí Children Paint
An exhibition of the results of the art workshops in Maya Chortí communities. March 2000
*Excursion to the Ruins
Excursion to the ruins combined with an art workshop and exhibition for 39 children from the village San Rafael. September 1999
