Dance of the Macaws: An Ancient Performance from the Poqomchi' Maya of Guatemala

A conversation with Juan Alejandro Rax Jul, keeper of the dance

La Danza de las Guacamayas—The Dance of the Macaws is unique to Santa Cruz Verapaz in Alta Verapaz in north central Guatemala. The topic however is a familiar one throughout many cultures: the abduction of the princess—el rapto de la doncella. The story is told from the Poqomchi' point of view as opposed to the more familiar Rabinal Achí told by the k'iche' community from the southern department of Baja Verapaz. The story is basically the same, but the outcome of each version varies depending on who tells the story. As happens with oral histories, stories evolve from generation to generation. Alejandro Rax will share the story and his special role in maintaining this tradition in his Maya community today and for the future.

Moderator and presented by Professor Oswaldo Chinchilla, Yale Associate Professor of Anthropology

Cosponsored by the Yale Peabody Museum