In 1983; a group of citizens in San Cristoacute;bal de las Casas; Chiapas; formed Sna Jtzibajom; the Tzotzil-Tzeltal Maya writers cooperative. In the two decades since; this group has evolved from writing and publishing bilingual booklets to writing and performing plays that have earned them national and international renown. Anthropologist Robert M. Laughlin has been a part of the group since its beginnings; and he offers a unique perspective on its development as a Mayan cultural force. The Monkey Business Theatre; or Teatro Loil Maxil; as this branch of Sna Jtzibajom calls itself; has presented plays in virtually every corner of the state of Chiapas; as well as in Mexico City; Guatemala; Honduras; Canada; and in many museums and universities in the United States. It has presented to the world; for the first time in drama; a view of the culture of the Mayas of Chiapas.In this work; Laughlin presents a translation of twelve of the plays created by Sna Jtzibajom; along with an introduction for each. Half of the plays are based on myths and half on the social; political; and economic problems that have confrontedmdash;and continue to confrontmdash;the Mayas of Chiapas.
#1782699 in eBooks 2006-11-24 2006-11-24File Name: B009RQH0NI
Review
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Three StarsBy LexanNo complaints!3 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A masterpieceBy J. de Souza MartinsI read this wounderful Graham Howes book with pleasure and delightness. A masterpiece in the sociology of art. The author has a deep knowledge of the subject. At the same time. his book is clear even to the non-expert reader. He goes right to the point. the complex relation between the art and the sacred. a text without misteries. His analysis of the sacralization of art by comom people open a way of reflection in the field of art as in the field of religion.
