Students show their work at the Ignacio Zaragoza primary school in the community of Macario Gómez, Tulum, Quintana Roo
11 Ajaw 3 Sotz’ (June 1, 2024)
The Children of Tulum Learn the Maya Script
The Summer is upon us, and we find ourselves in the season of graduations and the end of the teaching year. It has been a busy semester for many of us, including our Maya colleagues, who have been hard at work teaching the Maya script to their students.
This month, we hear back from Gloria Nayeli Tun Tuz who worked with 20 grade school students, ages 8-10, from the Ignacio Zaragoza Primary School in the community of Macario Gómez, located in between the ancient sites of Tulum and Cobá in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Enjoy these photos and have a wonderful summer!
Yum b’o’otik,
Michael Grofe, President MAM
MAM Glyph Workshop Report:
Report of the hieroglyph workshop with children from the Ignacio Zaragoza primary school, in the community of Macario Gómez, Tulum Quintana Roo.
In this workshop that was taught in the aforementioned community, it was interesting to see the participation of the second grade primary school children. Despite their young age, it became easier for them to understand how the hieroglyphs are made up, and how they are used. Thanks to the support of a projector that we lent to the campus facilities, I was able to project the images so that everyone could see them at the same time what was being explained to them and they all were able to visualize them at the same time. That way it was easier to understand.
In this image we can see that the students are already identifying the syllables.
In this image we can see that the students are already going to try to create their text with the hieroglyph drawings.
In this image we can see that the student is already starting to build words.
Here we can see the students’ sentences already completed. And they loved the activities we did at first, looking for some consonants that are not in the syllabary, and above all surprised, because they were able to write with drawings.
Here we can see that the student already has the idea of how to construct the sentences with the syllabary.
Here we can see that the student is now explaining how the syllabary works.
A student constructs his name using the Maya syllabary in San Camilo, Kanasín, Yucatán.
10 Ajaw 3 Wo’ (April 22, 2024)
Celebrating the Future on Earth Day:
The Children of San Camilo discover the Maya script
Happy Earth Day to one and all! Today is a day to consider what we are conserving and leaving to future generations, and this very much includes the accumulated wisdom of past generations.
This month, we hear back from Milner Rolando Pacab Alcocer who led a series of introductory workshops for twenty-two third and fourth grade children from in San Camilo, Kanasín in the Yucatán.
With the children of San Camilo, we celebrate their recent discovery of the Maya hieroglyphic script of their ancestors. Through celebrating their indigenous heritage, Maya children can connect to their world through discovering how their ancestors related to the natural world around them. In so doing, there is hope that future generations will take an interest in preserving their cultural heritage, as well as their connection to place and to the Earth itself.
Enjoy this report and the wonderful photos!
Yum b’o’otik,
Michael Grofe, President MAM
MAM Glyph Workshop Report:
I hereby inform you about the Mayan hieroglyphic writing workshop held at the “Felipa Poot” Indigenous primary school, in Colonia San Camilo de Kanasín, Yucatán, with the participation of 22 boys and girls who are in the third and fourth grades. primary school and 2 teachers who work in the same school.
I taught this workshop in two sessions of three hours each, on March 14 and 21 at the aforementioned school, within the framework of the International Day of Mother Languages, which in our state is celebrated with activities that make visible our Mayan language and culture.
The purpose of this workshop was for the participating children to know and value hieroglyphic writing as an inheritance from our Mayan grandparents, to know the Mayan syllabary, and to learn to use it to write their names using glyphs.
Session 1 (March 14, 2024):
This first session began by presenting the children with a small animated video about Mayan culture in general so that they know the context of Mayan hieroglyphic writing and awaken their interest in this topic.
Afterwards, the objectives of the workshop were explained to them and a video was shown so that they could learn what the concept “hieroglyphic writing” refers to, identify some bearers of glyphs that our grandparents left us as legacies on stelae and ceremonial centers as evidence of the use of this writing system.
They were also told the story of how its reading or interpretation was deciphered by the Russian, Yuri Knorozov.
Then they formed into team and learned about Harry Kettunen’s Syllabary, An explanation of how the different syllables are represented was given, and they learned the rules for making the syllabic division of words, how to locate their glyphs in the syllabary and how they could be form the glyph blocks when transcribing those words.
They were helped with some exercises to do syllable division and the rules for making an adequate transcription were explained to them, especially when letters or syllables that do not exist in the syllabary are required.
Afterwards, each child was asked to divide their names into syllables and identify and mark in the syllabary the glyphs necessary to write her name, ending the first session with this exercise.
Session 2 (March 22, 2024):
It began with a reminder of the rules of the syllabary, together with some exercises on syllabic division of proper names on the blackboard. Afterwards, they were distributed photocopies of the different ways in which the blocks can be formed by combining the glyphs necessary to write their names and the way in which they are read, from top to bottom and from left to right.
Afterwards, they were given white sheets and instructed to transcribe the glyphs that they marked in their syllabary to write their names with glyphs and begin to design the block that they liked considering the examples that were given to them. For this exercise, they were supported. in a close and personalized way, solving their doubts and giving suggestions.
Finally, they were asked to transcribe the block with their names on opaline paper, using markers, colored pencils and other materials to make it more attractive, and each person presented it to the group.
At the end of the session they were congratulated for their work, and it was agreed to hold an additional session later to decorate the school walls with the glyphs they designed in this workshop.
I would like to inform you and to take advantage of this occasion to reiterate my gratitude to MAM for the support provided to carry out this workshop.
Atentamente,
Milner Rolando Pacab Alcocer
Milner Rolando Pacab Alcocer and his students present their names
Congratulations to Our Latest 2024 Mini-Grant Recipients!
Happy Belated New Year!! More accurately, happy Groundhog Day! If California is any indication, we are in for a wet winter! Conversely, this month begins the dry season of yaxk’in in Maya lands, the clear and cloudless time of year, about which I presented at the last Congreso, as well as for the Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas last October. I am submitting my research on this topic for publication, so stay tuned!
We are bit behind schedule due to our last blog date falling squarely amidst the holidays and then the busy beginning of the school semester, amidst other challenges like a broken ankle!
But as we await the reports back from the mini-grants from last Fall, I wanted to be sure to announce our three latest MAM mini-grant recipients that we awarded in the New Year!
Guatemala: Beatriz Par Sapon and Hector Rolando Xol San José Peten: Itza’
Marta Dominga Cux Yac Santa Lucía Utatlán: K’iche’
Chiapas, México: Avenamar López Gomez Plan de Ayala, Las Margaritas: Tojol-ab’al
We are especially excited to be able to support our first workshop for Itza’ speakers in the Peten, conducted by Beatriz Par and Hector Xol. Itza’ is severely endangered, so this program is designed to help revitalize the language and counteract the forces of language shift. Reports back from the field are now coming in, so we will begin publishing these in our next several blogs. On behalf of all of the Maya communities with whom we work, thanks to all of you who have been our steadfast supporters!
Felicitaciones a nuestros nuevos beneficiarios de minibecas 2024!
¡¡Feliz año nuevo tardío!! Más exactamente, ¡feliz Día de la Marmota! Si California sirve de indicación, ¡nos espera un invierno húmedo! Por el contrario, este mes comienza la estación seca de yaxk’in en tierras mayas, la época del año despejada y sin nubes, sobre la cual expuse en el último Congreso, así como en la Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas en octubre pasado. Estoy enviando mi investigación sobre este tema para su publicación, así que ¡estén atentos!
Estamos un poco retrasados ya que nuestra última fecha del blog coincidió con las vacaciones y luego con el ajetreado inicio del semestre escolar, ¡en mitad de otros desafíos, como una fractura de tobillo!
Pero mientras esperamos los informes de las mini becas del otoño pasado, ¡quería asegurarme de anunciar a nuestros últimos tres beneficiarios de las mini becas MAM que otorgamos en el nuevo año!
Guatemala:
Beatriz Par Sapon and Hector Rolando Xol San José Peten: Itza’
Marta Dominga Cux Yac Santa Lucía Utatlán: K’iche’
Chiapas, México:
Avenamar López Gomez Plan de Ayala, Las Margaritas: Tojol-ab’al
Estamos especialmente entusiasmados de poder apoyar nuestro primer taller para hablantes de itzá en el Petén, dirigido por Beatriz Par y Héctor Xol. El itzá está gravemente amenazado, por lo que este programa está diseñado para ayudar a revitalizar el idioma y contrarrestar las fuerzas del cambio lingüístico. Ahora mismo están llegando informes de campo, por lo que comenzaremos a publicarlos en nuestros próximos blogs. En nombre de todas las comunidades mayas con las que trabajamos, ¡gracias a todos ustedes que han sido nuestros firmes partidarios!
Congratulations to Our New 2023 Mini-Grant Recipients!
We are excited to announce the newest MAM mini-grant recipients!
Given the current political situation in Guatemala with the ongoing protests for democracy, we are aware that this situation is taking precedent for many of our colleagues at the moment. Perhaps as a result, we did not receive many applications from Guatemala at this time. We wish our friends and the indigenous authorities in Guatemala all the best in their efforts to peacefully uphold their democracy.
After a successful Congreso this past July, our collective work to uphold Maya languages and cultures through supporting Maya teachers in multiple countries continues. We are thrilled to have several new applicants as well as those we have worked with many times in the past!
Here are our latest MAM mini-grant recipients:
MÉXICO
Chiapas, México:
María Méndez Vázquez, Nuevo México, Palenque, Chiapas: Ch’ol
Península de Yucatán, México:
Alfredo Hau Caamal, Hunukú Temozón: Yucateco
Gloria Nayeli Tun Tuz, Macario Gómez: Yucateco
Daniela Esther Cano Chan, Tipikal, Mani: Yucateo
Milner Rolando Pacab Alcocer, Kanasin: Yucateco
GUATEMALA
Wilmer Aram Aju, Santa Lucia Utatlán: K’iche’
Miguel Felipe Pajarito, Sacapulas: Tujaal, Sakapulteko
For those who have not yet applied, we are still accepting applications and reviewing them for projects designed to teach students and community members from Mayan language speaking communities to learn to read and write using the ancient script. We hope to hear from more applicants soon!
Wokox yälä, Maltyox, Tyox, Niib’oolal,
Michael Grofe, President
MAM
Felicitaciones a nuestros nuevos beneficiarios de minibecas 2023! ¡Nos complace anunciar a los nuevos beneficiarios de las minibecas de MAM! Dada la situación política actual en Guatemala con las protestas en curso por la democracia, somos conscientes de que esta situación está estableciendo un precedente para muchos de nuestros colegas. Quizás como resultado de ello, hasta ahora no hemos recibido muchas solicitudes de Guatemala. Deseamos a nuestros amigos y a las autoridades indígenas de Guatemala todo lo mejor en sus esfuerzos por defender pacíficamente su democracia. Nuestro trabajo colectivo para defender las lenguas y culturas mayas mediante el apoyo a los maestros mayas en múltiples países continúa, tras haberse celebrado un exitoso Congreso el pasado mes de julio. ¡Estamos encantados de tener varios solicitantes nuevos, además de aquellos con los que hemos trabajado muchas veces en el pasado! Estos son los últimos beneficiarios de minibecas de MAM:
MÉXICO
Chiapas, México:
María Méndez Vázquez, Nuevo México, Palenque, Chiapas: Ch’ol
Península de Yucatán, México:
Alfredo Hau Caamal, Hunukú Temozón: Yucateco
Gloria Nayeli Tun Tuz, Macario Gómez: Yucateco
Daniela Esther Cano Chan, Tipikal, Mani: Yucateo
Milner Rolando Pacab Alcocer, Kanasin: Yucateco
GUATEMALA
Wilmer Aram Aju, Santa Lucia Utatlán: K’iche’
Miguel Felipe Pajarito, Sacapulas: Tujaal, Sakapulteko
Para aquellos que aún no han presentado su solicitud, todavía estamos aceptando y revisando solicitudes relativas a proyectos para enseñar a leer y escribir el sistema de escritura antigua, Ojer Maya’ Tz’ib’, a estudiantes y miembros de comunidades de habla maya. ¡Esperamos pronto recibir más solicitudes! Wokox yälä, Maltyox, Tyox, Niib’oolal, Michael Grofe, Presidente MAM
5 Ajaw 8 Yax (October 5, 2023)Announcing Our 2023 Call for Minigrants!:Building on the Momentum of the Fifth Congreso This month, we are pleased to announce our 2023 call for applications for our minigrant program! All of those who have participated in our previous Congresos are eligible, and we will be granting up to $200 each for Maya teachers to organize and teach a series of workshops for students and members of their communities to learn to read and write in the Maya script and to explore and learn about the calendar. We are currently sending out applications to our email list of former Congreso participants. However, if you have participated in any of the previous five Congresos and you have not received an application, please feel free to email us:
We currently have funds to cover approximately 10-15 applications, and our Executive Committee will be reviewing these applications as we receive them. We will focus on projects scheduled for the remainder of this year and the beginning of 2024, and we are especially interested in innovative projects that involve the production of video content that we could post on our website and YouTube channel, as well as dynamic classroom instruction. Recipients must all produce a report with photo documentation within a month following the completion of their workshops. We are looking forward to reviewing applications and announcing the next recipients in our upcoming blog! Meanwhile, following my presentation on the meaning of the Maya winal of Yaxk’in at the Fifth Congreso in San Cristóbal de las Casas this past summer, I had the honor of being invited to present an English version of this presentation for the University of Pennsylvania Pre-Columbian Society on Saturday, September 9, 2023. If you are interested in seeing a recorded version of this lecture, along with many other excellent lectures, I highly encourage you to subscribe to the PCS and then clicking “Meeting Archives” located here:
I am also honored to have been invited to present this same lecture on Yaxk’in once again in Spanish on Zoom for the Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas (UNICACH) in Chiapa de Corzo on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:00 pm (Mexico Time) as a part of the degree program in Archaeology. The Coordinating Assistant for the Archaeology Degree, Lic. Maria Mendez Vasquez, is a Ch’ol speaker who was a participant in the previous Congreso, and she kindly offered me an invitation to present at this event in anticipation of the annular solar eclipse to follow on Saturday morning, October 14th. Please feel free to contact Maria Mendez Vasquez for further details:
This eclipse will trace a path from where I live in Northern California, down through the Mundo Maya and into South America. Please remember to not look directly at the ring of sunlight from an annular eclipse, but enjoy it safely if you are in the path of visibility! All of us at MAM wish you all a peaceful and beautiful harvest season, and we very much look forward to awarding our newest round of minigrants!
Anunciamos Nuestra Convocatoria de Minibecas 2023!: Aprovechando el impulso del Quinto Congreso ¡Este mes, nos complace anunciar nuestra convocatoria de solicitudes de 2023 para nuestro programa de minibecas! Todos aquellos que hayan participado en nuestros Congresos anteriores son elegibles, y otorgaremos hasta $200 cada uno para que los maestros mayas organicen e impartan una serie de talleres para que estudiantes y miembros de sus comunidades aprendan a leer y escribir en escritura maya y explorar y aprender sobre el calendario. Actualmente estamos enviando solicitudes a nuestra lista de correo electrónico de participantes del Congreso. Sin embargo, si ha participado en alguno de los cinco Congresos anteriores y no ha recibido una solicitud, no dude en enviarnos un correo electrónico:
Actualmente tenemos fondos para cubrir aproximadamente entre 10 y 15 solicitudes, y nuestro Comité Ejecutivo revisará estas solicitudes a medida que las recibamos. Nos centraremos en proyectos programados para el resto de este año y principios de 2024, y estamos especialmente interesados en proyectos innovadores que involucren la producción de contenido de video que podríamos publicar en nuestro sitio web y canal de YouTube, así como instrucción dinámica en el aula. Todos los destinatarios deberán presentar un informe con documentación fotográfica en el plazo de un mes tras la finalización de sus talleres. ¡Esperamos revisar nuestras solicitudes y anunciar los próximos destinatarios en nuestro próximo blog! Mientras tanto, luego de mi presentación sobre el significado del winal maya de Yaxk’in en el Quinto Congreso en San Cristóbal de las Casas el julio pasado, tuve el honor de ser invitado a presentar una versión en inglés de esta presentación para la Universidad de Pennsylvania Sociedad Precolombina el sábado 9 de septiembre. Si está interesado en ver una versión grabada de esta conferencia, junto con muchas otras conferencias excelentes, le recomiendo que se suscriba al Sociedad Precolombina aquí y luego haga clic en “Meeting Archives”:
También me siento honrado de haber sido invitado a presentar esta misma conferencia sobre Yaxk’in una vez más en español por Zoom para la Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas (UNICHACH) en Chiapas de Corzo el viernes 13 de octubre a las 12:00 pm (hora de México) como parte del programa de Licenciatura en Arqueología. La Asistente Coordinadora de la Licenciatura de Arqueología, Lic. María Méndez Vásquez, es una ch’ol hablante que participó en el Congreso anterior y amablemente me ofreció una invitación para presentar en este evento en anticipación al eclipse solar anular que seguirá el sábado 14 de octubre por la mañana. No dude en comunicarse con María Méndez Vásquez para obtener más detalles:
Este eclipse trazará un camino desde donde vivo en el norte de California, a través del Mundo Maya y hasta Sudamérica. Recuerde no mirar directamente el anillo de luz solar de un eclipse anular, ¡pero disfrútelo de manera segura si se encuentra en el camino de la visibilidad! ¡Todos nosotros en MAM les deseamos a todos una hermosa y pacífica temporada de cosecha, y esperamos con ansias otorgar nuestra nueva ronda de minibecas!
Participants gather in the lobby of the Hotel Rincon del Arco.
4 Ajaw 8 Mol (August 26, 2023)
Report from the Fifth International Congreso on Ojer Maya’ Tz’ib’ 2023
It has been quite a busy summer, and it is finally coming to an end. This month, we publish the formal report from Ajpub’ Pablo García Ixmatá, the Coordinator of the 5th International Congreso and our dear friend. We send Ajpub’ and his family our deepest condolences for the recent loss of his mother, Catarina Ixmatá Quiacaín. Ajpub’ kindly prepared this report for us during this difficult time. We are so grateful for all of the work he and the Congreso Team have done to help carry out such a successful and unforgettable event, and we wanted to thank all of you, our generous supporters, for everything you have done to help make this happen.
Maltyoox, Michael J. Grofe, President MAM
Gathering in the conference room to hear Nick Hopkins’ presentation
REPORT SJO’IL NIWAN TSOMJEL B’A SNEB’JEL POKO TS’IJB’ANEL MAYA 2023 5th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESO ON OJER TZ’IB’ 2023 July 10 – 15, 2023 Hotel Rincón del Arco San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, México
The International Congreso on Ojer Tz’ib’ is an event that brings together Mayan speakers from different peoples of the current Mayan territory (Mesoamerica) who live in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala. The Congreso seeks for Mayan speakers to know and learn, in a critical way, the operation of the writing system, the historical texts produced through said system, and its contents. The initiative to hold International Congresos has been taking place for years through events held inside and outside Guatemala. The first event was held in 2010 in Antigua Guatemala, as a first approach between Mayan speakers to discuss topics of interest to them and to determine the way for them to organize and carry out events of this type. Also, these events are organized by MAM – Mayas for Ancient Mayan – since 2005, made up of researcher friends, mainly from the United States. Likewise, Ajtz’ib’ab, made up of a team of Mayan speakers with the collaboration of different people and public and private institutions that are related to the purposes of the Congresos.
The First International Congreso on Maya Epigraphy was held in the city of Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico. Then, a second International Congreso was held at the Instituto Tecnológico de la Selva de Ocosingo in Chiapas. In 2016, the Third International Congreso was held in the Department of Petén, Guatemala, and the Fourth International Congreso was held in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. In each of these international Congresos, different training activities have been carried out, such as classroom sessions, workshops, magisterial conferences, cultural activities and guided tours of ancient cities.
The objective of the present congress was: “To develop the topic of Maya Calendars and the most recent studies to sensitize the participants towards critical thinking knowing our reality in the past, present and future. It also seeks to understand the functioning of the different calendars from the inscriptions of the Ojer tz’ib’, colonial documents and current use, their cycles, concepts, correlations, etc. from a critical perspective.”
The reasons why only Maya people are invited and invited to this Congreso?
Since the Spanish invasion and then colonization, the Maya population have been historically denied the knowledge of their ancient roots, as well as marginalized from formal education (educational centers from the primary level to the higher level, workshops, conferences), opportunities or scholarships. Above all, this is for Maya people to develop critical thinking in the process of resuming their linguistic and cultural roots. When they have had access to any information or training, it has typically been from a Western vision and from a folkloric point of view.
Maya academics and foreign friends who have contributed to the study of Ojer Maya’ Tz’ib’ are invited to develop workshops and give academic lectures or guided tours. Likewise, people are invited who have had teaching experience in different universities in other countries, or who speak or have serious studies in one or more Mayan languages.
Purpose of the 5th Congreso:
One of the purposes of this Congreso is to give continuity to the training that a good number of Mayan speakers have had in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Congresses held in Valladolid, Yucatán, Mexico (2012), Ocosingo, Chiapas, Mexico (2014), Petén, Guatemala (2016), and Huehuetenango, Guatemala (2018). Also, these Congresos give an opportunity to Mayan speakers who for the first time want to venture into learning the Ojer Tz’ib’ system.
For this 5th Congreso, the people who are selected were people who have taken advantage of previous training and showed their commitment to the promotion, dissemination and use of the system for writing/painting in the Mayan languages to which they belong, as well as their promotion, diffusion and development. The resources for the realization of this 5th Congreso are the result of the great efforts of people and institutions that collaborate for the organization and development of these Congresos, managed through the institution MAM-Mayas for Ancient Mayan.
Development of Activities
On July 10, 2023, the organizers of the SJO’IL NIWAN TSOMJEL B’A SNEB’JEL POKO TS’IJB’ANEL MAYA 2023 5th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESO ON OJER TZ’IB’ 2023 met to wait for national and international participants. This job of keeping up with arranging the furniture in the classrooms and buying bread and coffee, among other tasks, was resolved with the participation of all those involved.
The teachers involved did the logistical work and the purchase of candles, flowers of different colors, white, red, yellow and black corn, among other supplies that Maestro Nicolás Velasco Díaz would use to perform the ceremony on July 11 of this year, an act that celebrated from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and then continued with the order of the program established by all the participants.
All the participants who arrived until 9 pm on July 10 were supported with their respective lodgings at the “Hotel Rincón del Arco,” located at Calle Ejercito Nacional No. 66, Barrio el Cerrillo, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. This support was carried out by all involved to provide security and good rest to all participants.
Lastly, the participants present got involved in doing what Nicolás Velasco Díaz directed, including everything related to the decorations that would take place on July 11, 2023, all to start without delay the rituals for opening ceremony.
On July 11, 2023, the organizers of the event met to begin with the starting flag for the events that would take place under the strict order of the program that each organizer, both national and international, had at hand.
At first, the participants moved to the indicated place where they would receive the meal that is scheduled for each day of the event, so the activities were developed under a protocol of both security and order for the proper development of the activities to avoid any program incident or mismatch. Then from 8:30 to 9:00 am, the ritual beginning of activities was carried out, and the participants went to be purified with basil, candles and posh (liquor), where the participants welcomed in this new experience. Immediately after, all of the participants moved to the conference room, where the panelists appeared at the presidium table and everyone presented themselves in the order in which they are on the program.
Second came the inaugural presentations from 10 to 11:30 am. Ajxol Hector R. Xol Choc gave the presentation “Maya Calendars: Two or Three Reflections to Consider for Their Study, Promotion and Dissemination.” Michael Grofe followed with “Yaxk ́in, the Solar Nadir and the Agricultural New Year in the Formation of the Haab Calendar.” Lastly, the Association Jolob Jlumaltik participated with: “Weaving Territories.”
After the break from 11:20 am to 11:30 am, the participants joined the classrooms, according to the workshops for which they were registered: Introductory, Intermediate or Advanced. The Introductory Workshop was led by Ajxol Héctor R. Xol Choc and Dr. Nicholas Hopkins; the Intermediate Workshop was led by Dr. Barbara MacLeod and Dr. Alejandro Sheseña Hernández; and the Advanced Workshop was led by Dr. Michael Grofe and Alexander Smurr-Ferrer.
All the activities were carried out responsibly according to schedules and the good interpersonal relationship of the workshop participants; none of the participants suffered from thirst and hunger.
On July 12, 2023, the organizers met for the event that would be developed under strict order of the program that each national and international organizer had at hand.
On July 12, all the participants met at 8:00 am to have breakfast and some coffee with bread prepared by the restaurant staff, where all the participants felt very well cared for. From 9:00 to 11:00 am the Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced workshops continued.
Participants in the Introductory workshop
In the introductory workshop, the workshop leaders, Ajxol Hector R. Xol Choc and Nicholas Hopkins, provided materials, white paper, and colored pencils, and they also used computers and projectors as didactic material to provide information to all participants. In this workshop everyone participated, they asked questions that arose since the workshop was carried out with comprehension exercises about reading and writing native languages. At all times there was camaraderie and respect for the achievement of objectives.
Participants in the Intermediate workshop
In the Intermediate workshop, the workshop leaders, Barbara MacLeod and Alejandro Sheseña Hernández, provided materials, including white paper, colored pencils, markers, and notebooks. They also made use of computers and a projector as didactic material to provide information to all the participants. In this workshop everyone participated both individually and in groups, they also asked questions that arose since the workshop was carried out with comprehension exercises about reading and writing native languages. All activities were presented with camaraderie and respect for the achievement of the objectives.
Participants in the Advanced workshop
In the Advanced workshop, the workshop leaders, Michael Grofe and Alexander Smurr-Ferrer, provided materials, white paper, colored pencils, and markers, and they also made use of computers and projector as teaching material to provide attention to all participants. In this workshop everyone participated both individually and in groups. Upon entering the work room, attendance was marked on a list that was attached to one side of the door of the room. All activities were presented with camaraderie and respect for the achievement of the objectives.
Throughout the development of the activities, the participants had freedom of mobility from one place to another. During the break time, everyone went to enjoy the coffee and bread that was partly outside the classrooms, and this service was sufficient on the part of the organizers, always taking care that the participants did not suffer from thirst and hunger.
I would also like to say that while the Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced workshops were taking place, there was a climate of respect and above all of camaraderie in commenting and expressing questions among colleagues, as well as with the persons in charge of sharing the workshop. Participation and a desire to share academically inside and outside the classrooms were observed at all times. Apart from lunch and dinner, the desire to share with colleagues was always apparent, and no adverse situations to the scheduled program or the proceedings took place.
On July 13, 2023, the organizers met for the event that would be developed under strict order of the program that each national and international organizer had at hand.
Continuing with our work program, I can report that the activities were carried out starting with breakfast for the participants in a timely manner without any incident to regret. On the contrary, all the necessary attention from the staff at the Hotel Rincón del Arco worked very well.
The activities began in the three workshops that were aimed at people in the three different levels: In the introductory workshop, the workshop leaders were Ajxol Héctor R. Xol Choc and Nicholas Hopkins. In this workshop everyone participated. They asked questions that arose since the workshop was carried out with comprehension exercises about reading and writing native languages. At all times there was camaraderie and respect for the achievement of objectives; in each of the activities they worked with numbers and deciphering glyphs starting with the
proper names, dates of birth among other information. It should be noted that at all times the participants were heard apart from the fact that we were all placed in a round table.
In the Intermediate workshop, the workshop facilitators Barbara MacLeod and Alejandro Sheseña Hernández, provided materials such as white paper, colored pencils, markers, and notebooks. They also made use of computers and a projector as didactic material to provide information to all the participants. In this workshop everyone participated both individually and in groups, they also asked the questions that arose since the workshop was carried out with comprehension exercises about reading and writing native languages. All activities were presented with camaraderie and respect for the achievement of the objectives, it was also observed that everyone participated in an academic climate to decipher glyphs using the workbooks.
In the Advanced workshop, the workshop facilitators Michael Grofe and Alexander Smurr-Ferrer, as always, provided different materials, including white paper, pencils, colors, and markers. They also used computers and a projector as didactic material to provide information to all participants. In this workshop everyone participated both individually and in groups, and to enter the work room, attendance was marked on a list that was posted at the entrance of the room; Finally, I want to tell you that the three groups of workshop participants and beneficiaries of these workshops were served with coffee and bread during the break, apart from the fact that at lunch and dinner they were kindly attended by the staff of the Hotel Rincón del Arco from the city of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas.
On July 14, the three groups of workshops focused on putting into practice what they had learned with the workshops, and they organized in groups to present at the respective levels: Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. After the presentations, the closing ceremony took place in two parts. The first part was where the certificates were delivered to all the participants in the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. These were delivered by the workshop leaders and organizers of the event, MAM, Ajtz’ib’ab’ and the Chiapas Team. The Tseltal musicians were present at the event, and they participated in the academic closing ceremony. The second part was the spiritual culmination carried out by the Zoque guides, in the place where the events began, with permission, where the culmination of the international event took place. On the 15th, all the participants returned to their communities and countries of origin.
Once, twice and three times thanks to MAM for one more event to continue promoting the knowledge and ancient knowledge of the Mayan people.
Sincerely,
Ajpub’ Pablo García Coordinador General del 5º Congreso Internacional, 2023
Los participantes se reúnen en el lobby del Hotel Rincón del Arco.
4 Ajaw 8 Mol (26 de agosto de 2023)
Informe del Quinto Congreso Internacional sobre Ojer Maya’ Tz’ib’ 2023
Ha sido un verano bastante ajetreado y por fin está llegando a su fin. Este mes publicamos el informe formal de Ajpub’ Pablo García Ixmatá, Coordinador del 5o Congreso Internacional y nuestro querido amigo. Enviamos a Ajpub’ y su familia nuestro más sentido pésame por la reciente pérdida de su madre, Catarina Ixmatá Quiacaín. Ajpub’ tuvo la amabilidad de prepararnos este informe durante este momento difícil. Estamos muy agradecidos por todo el trabajo que él y el equipo del Congreso han hecho para ayudar a llevar a cabo un evento tan exitoso e inolvidable, y queríamos agradecerles a todos ustedes, nuestros generosos patrocinadores, por todo lo que han hecho para ayudar a que esto suceda.
Maltyoox, Michael J. Grofe, Presidente MAM
Reunidos en la sala de conferencias para escuchar la conferencia de Nick Hopkins.
INFORME SJO’IL NIWAN TSOMJEL B’A SNEB’JEL POKO TS’IJB’ANEL MAYA 2023 5o. CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL DE OJER TZ’IB’ 2023 10 -15 de julio Hotel Rincón del Arco San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, México
El Congreso Internacional de Ojer Tz’ib’, es un evento que reúne a maya hablantes de diferentes pueblos del territorio maya (Mesoamérica) actual que viven en México, Belice, Honduras y Guatemala. El congreso busca que los maya hablantes conozcan y aprendan de manera crítica, el funcionamiento del sistema de escritura, los textos históricos producidos a través de dicho sistema y sus contenidos. La iniciativa de realizer Congresos Internacionales, se ha venido dando desde años atrás a través de eventos realizados dentro y fuera de Guatemala. El primer evento se realizó en el 2010 en la Antigua Guatemala, como un primer acercamiento entre maya hablantes para tratar temas de su interés y la forma de realizar eventos de este tipo organizados por los mismos. También, estos eventos son organizados por MAM -Maya Antiguo para los Mayas, desde 2005, conformado por amigas y amigos investigadores, principalmente de Estados Unidos. Asimismo, Ajtz’ib’ab, conformado por un equipo de Maya hablantes y con la colaboración de diferentes personas e instituciones públicas y privadas que son afines a los fines de los congresos.
Como Primer Congreso Internacional de Epigrafía Maya, se realizó en ciudad de Valladolid, Yucatán México. Luego, un segundo Congreso Internacional se llevó a cabo en el Instituto Tecnológico de la Selva de Ocosingo en Chiapas; en el 2016 se llevó a cabo el Tercer Congreso Internacional en el Departamento de Petén, Guatemala. En cada una de estos congresos internacionales se han realizado distintas actividades formativas como sesiones de aulas, talleres, conferencias magistrales, actividades culturales y visitas guiadas a las ciudades antiguas.
El objetivo del presente congreso es: “Desarrollar el tema de Calendarios Mayas y los estudios más recientes para sensibilizar a los participantes hacia un pensamiento critic conociendo nuestra realidad en el pasado, presente y futuro. Busca también la comprensión del funcionamiento de los diferentes calendarios desde las inscripciones del Ojer tz’ib’, documentos coloniales y uso actual; sus ciclos, conceptos, correlaciones, etc. desde una mirada crítica”.
¿Razones del porqué sólo mayas serán invitadas e invitados para este congreso?
La población maya, históricamente, desde la invasión española y luego colonización, se les ha negado el conocimiento de sus raíces milenarias, así como marginados de la educación formal (centros educativos desde el nivel primario hasta el nivel superior talleres, conferencias), oportunidades o becas de estudio. Sobre todo, gente maya con pensamiento crítico o en proceso de retomar sus raíces lingüísticas y culturales. Si han tenido acceso a algo de información o formación, se ha hecho desde una visión occidental y desde un punto de vista folclórico.
Para desarrollar talleres y conferencias magistrales o visitas guiadas, se invitan académicos mayas y extranjeros amigos que han contribuido en el estudio del Ojer Maya’ Tz’ib’. Asimismo, personas que han tenido experiencia en cuanto a la enseñanza en diferentes universidades de otros países, que hablen o que tengan estudios serios en uno o más idiomas mayas.
Finalidad del 5o. Congreso: Uno de los fines de este Congreso es darle continuidad a la formación que han tenido un buen número de maya hablantes en el 1er., 2do., 3er. y 4to. Congresos realizados en Valladolid Yucatán (2012) y Ocosingo Chiapas (2014), México; Petén (2016), Guatemala y Huehuetenango, Guatemala (2018) Así también, darle oportunidad a maya hablantes que por primera vez quieran incursionar en el aprendizaje del sistema Ojer Tz’ib’.
Para este 5º, Congreso, las personas que sean seleccionadas tendrán que ser personas que han aprovechado las formaciones anteriores y mostrar su compromiso en la promoción, difusión y uso del sistema para la escritura/pintura del idioma maya al que pertenecen, así como su promoción, difusión y desarrollo. Los recursos para la realización de este 5o. Congreso es fruto de grandes esfuerzos de personas e instituciones que colaboran para la organización y desarrollo de estos congresos que se gestionan a través de la institución MAM-Maya Antiguo para los Mayas.
Desarrollo de las actividades
Los docentes involucrados hacían los trabajos de logística y los trabajos de compra de velas, flores de diferentes colores, maíz blanco, rojo, amarillo y negro entre otros insumos que ocuparía maestro Nicolás Velasco Díaz para realizar la ceremonia el día 11 de julio de este año, acto que inicia a las 8:30 a 9:00 de la mañana y así continua con el orden del programa establecido por todos los participantes.
Todos los participantes que llegaron hasta las 9 de la noche el día 10 de julio de este año fueron apoyado con sus respectivos hospedajes en el “Hotel Rincón del Arco” ubicado en la Calle Ejercito Nacional No. 66 Barrio el Cerrillo, San Cristóbal de Las casas, Chiapas. Esta actividad fue efectuada por todos los involucrados para brindarle seguridad y buen descanso a todos los participantes.
Por último, los compañeros y compañeras allí presentes nos involucramos en hacer lo que indicaba Nicolás Velasco Díaz, que es todo lo relacionado a los adornos que tendría lugar el día 11 de julio de 2023, todo para iniciar sin demora en los rituales de inicio de actividades.
El día de 11 de julio de 2023, nos reunimos los organizadores del evento para iniciar con el banderazo de inicio al evento que se desarrollaría bajo estricto orden del programa que tuvo a la mano cada organizador tanto nacionales e internacionales.
En primer momento los participantes se trasladaron al lugar indicado donde recibirían alimentos que se tiene programado para cada día de evento en este lugar, así se fue desarrollando las actividades bajo un protocolo tanto de seguridad y orden para el buen desarrollo de las actividades para evitar algún incidente o desfase del programa; entonces de 8:30 a 9:00 am. Se efectuó el ritual inicio de actividades y se observó que los participantes pasaron para que les realizaran una limpieza con albahaca, velas y posh (licor), donde los participantes se llevaron una nueva experiencia, enseguida todos los participantes se trasladaron a su respectiva sala donde se presentarían las autoridades en la mesa de presídium donde todos se presentaron en el orden en que se encuentran en programa solamente.
En segundo momento vienen las conferencias inaugurales de 10 a 11:30 am. Se escucharon a Ajxol Hector R Xol Choc con la ponencia “los calendarios mayas: dos tres reflexiones a considerar para su estudio, promoción y difusión”; Michael Grofe. “Yaxk ́in, el nadir solar y el año nuevo agrícola en la formación del Calendario Haab”. Participación de la asociación Jolob Jlumaltik: “Tejiendo Territorios.”
Después del receso 11:20 a 11:30 hrs. Los participantes se integraron a las aulas de acuerdo a los talleres que se inscribieron, introductorio, intermedio y avanzado. Taller Introductorio fue impartido por Ajxol Héctor R. Choc y Dr. Nicholas Hopkins; Taller Intermedio impartido por Dra. Barbara MacLeod y Dr. Alejandro Sheseña Hernández y Taller avanzado por Dr. Michael Grofe y Alexander Smurr-Ferrer.
Todas las actividades se fueron desarrollando de manera responsable de acuerdo a horarios y la buena relación interpersonal de los talleristas y participantes; nadie de los participantes sufrió de sed y de hambre.
El día de 12 de julio de 2023, nos reunimos los organizadores del evento que se desarrollaría bajo estricto orden del programa que tuvo a la mano cada organizador tanto nacionales e internacionales.
El día 12 de julio de este año se dieron cita todos los participantes desde las 8:00 am para desayunar y degustar un café con pan preparado por el personal del restaurante, donde todos los participantes se sintieron muy bien atendidos; De 9:00 a 11: 00 am. se continuo con los talleres Introductorio, Intermedio y Avanzado:
Participantes en el taller Introductorio.
En taller Introductorio el tallerista Ajxol Héctor R. y Nicholas Hopkins brindaron materiales hojas blancas, lápices colores, también hizo uso de computadoras y cañón como material didáctico para brindar atención a todos los participantes. En este taller todos y todas participaron, preguntaron las dudas que se presentaron ya que se realizaba el taller con ejercicios de comprensión acerca de la lectura y escritura de lenguas originarias. En todo tiempo se presentó la camaradería y respeto para el logro de los objetivos.
Participantes en el taller Intermedio.
En taller Intermedio la tallerista Barbara MacLeod y Alejandro Sheseña Hernández brindó materiales entre ellas hojas blancas, lápices colores, marcadores, engargolados también hizo uso de computadoras y cañón como material didáctico para brindar atención a todos los participantes. En este taller todos y todas participaron tanto de forma individual y grupal, también preguntaron las dudas que se presentaron ya que se realizaba el taller con ejercicios de comprensión acerca de la lectura y escritura de lenguas originarias. Toda actividad fue presentada con camaradería y respeto para el logro de los objetivos.
Participantes en el taller Avanzado.
En taller Avanzado el tallerista Michael Grofe y Alexander Smurr-Ferrer, brindó materiales hojas blancas, lápices colores, marcadores también hizo uso de computadoras y cañón como material didáctico para brindar atención a todos los participantes. En este taller todos y todas participaron tanto de forma individual y grupal, que para ingresar al salón de trabajo se marcaba la asistencia en una lista que se encontraba pegado a un lado de la puerta del salón; Toda actividad fue presentada con camaradería y respeto para el logro de los objetivos.
Durante todo el desarrollo de las actividades los participantes tenían libertad de movilidad de un lugar a otro aparte en la hora del receso todos y todos pasaban a consumer el café y el pan que se encontraba en parte de afuera de los salones y este servicio fue suficiente por parte de los organizadores cuidando siempre que los participantes no sufran de sed y de hambre.
También quisiera decir que mientras se desarrollaban los talleres tanto el Introductorio, Intermedio y Avanzado todo el tiempo se vivió un clima de respeto y sobre todo de camaradería en comentar y externar las dudas entre colegas, así como el encargado de compartir el taller, en todo tiempo se observó participación y deseos de compartir académicamente dentro y fuera de los salones. Aparte en la hora de la comida y cena siempre se observó el deseo de compartir con los colegas y no se observa situaciones adversas al trabajo programado en la ruta del desarrollo de trabajo.
El día de 13 de julio de 2023, nos reunimos los organizadores del evento que se desarrollaría bajo estricto orden del programa que tuvo a la mano cada organizador tanto nacionales e internacionales.
Siguiendo con nuestro programa de trabajo puedo informar que se desarrolló las actividades empezando con el desayuno de los participantes en tiempo y forma sin presentarse ningún incidente que lamentar sino todo lo contrario ha funcionado muy bien todas las atenciones necesarias de parte del personal en este Hotel Rincón del Arco.
Se inicia las actividades en los tres talleres que va dirigido a las personas indicadas: En taller Introductorio el tallerista Ajxol Héctor R. y Nicholas Hopkins; en este taller todos y todas participaron, preguntaron las dudas que se presentaron ya que se realizaba el taller con ejercicios de comprensión acerca de la lectura y escritura de lenguas originarias. En todo tiempo se presentó la camaradería y respeto para el logro de los objetivos; en cada una de las actividades se trabajaron con números y en descifrar glifos empezando con los nombres propios, fechas de nacimiento entre otros datos. Cabe aclarar que en todo momento los participantes fueron escuchados aparte de que todos fuimos ubicados en mesa redonda.
En taller Intermedio la tallerista Barbara MacLeond y Dr. Alejandro Sheseña Hernández brindó materiales cómo hojas blancas, lápices colores, marcadores, engargolados; también hizo uso de computadoras y cañón como material didáctico para brindar atención a todos los participantes. En este taller todos y todas participaron tanto de forma individual y grupal, también preguntaron las dudas que se presentaron ya que se realizaba el taller con ejercicios de comprensión acerca de la lectura y escritura de lenguas originarias. Toda actividad fue presentada con camaradería y respeto para el logro de los objetivos, también se observó que todos participaron en un clima academic para descifrar glifos utilizando los cuadernillos de trabajo.
En taller Avanzado el tallerista Michael Grofe y Alexander Smurr-Ferrer, como siempre brindó diferentes materiales entre ellas hojas blancas, lápices, colores, marcadores también hizo uso de computadoras y cañón como material didáctico para brindar atención a todos los participantes. En este taller todos y todas participaron tanto de forma individual y grupal, y que para ingresar al salón de trabajo se marcaba la asistencia en una lista que se encontraba pegado en la entrada del salón; por último, quiero decirles que los tres grupos de talleristas y beneficiarios de estos talleres fueron atendidos con café y pan en la hora del receso aparte que en la comida y la cena fueron atendido con amabilidad de parte del personal del Hotel “Rincón del Arco” de la ciudad de San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas.
El 14 de Julio, los tres grupos de talleristas se enfocaron en la realización de poner en práctica lo aprendido con los talleristas, organizados en grupos para presentar en los respectivos niveles, principiantes, intermedios y avanzados. Después de las presentaciones, se procedió al acto de clausura en dos momentos. La primera parte fue donde se entregaron las constancias a todos los participantes, de nivel principiantes, intermedio y avanzado. Estos fueron entregados por los talleristas y organizadores del evento, MAM, Ajtz’ib’ab’ y el Equipo de Chiapas. En el evento estuvieron presentes los músicos Tseltales, que intervinieron en el acto de clausura académica. Y una segunda parte fue la culminación espiritual realizado por los guías Zoquez. Lugar donde se inicio con el premiso y donde se agradeció la culminación del evento internacional. Y el día 15, todos los participantes se retornaron en sus comunidades y países de origen.
Una, dos y tres veces gracias al MAM por un evento más para seguir impulsando los saberes y conocimientos antiguos del pueblo Maya.
