The Mythology of Mexico and Central America

The Mythology of Mexico and Central America

by John Bierhorst
The Mythology of Mexico and Central America

The Mythology of Mexico and Central America

by John Bierhorst

Hardcover

$68.00 
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Overview

In this expansive volume, John Bierhorst brings to light the gods and heroes of pre-Columbian times—and demonstrates that they are very much alive today. The book provides translations of twenty "basic myths," showing how these have influenced the artistic, literary, and political life of modern Mexico and Central America. Originally published in 1990, the text has been updated to reflect recent advances in Mesoamerican studies. In addition, a new Afterword describes how these native mythologies—since the late 1980s—have begun incorporating issues of international significance, including cultural pluralism, religious freedom, and environmentalism.
Detailed maps show tribal locations and the distribution of key stories. Indian artworks illustrate the texts and samples of differing narrative styles add enrichment, as some of the world's purest and most powerful myths are made more accessible—and more meaningful—than ever before.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780195146202
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication date: 08/22/2002
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 9.21(w) x 6.14(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

John Bierhorst is the author, editor, or translator of more than forty books on American Indian myths—six of which have been ALA Notable Books—including The Sacred Path, Four Masterworks of American Indian Literature, and In the Trail of the Wind.

Table of Contents

Prefacev
A Note on Pronunciationxv
Introduction1
Part 1The Storytellers
1Central Mexico19
2Oaxaca29
3Southern Mesoamerica36
4Northwest Mexico47
5Lower Central America54
Part 2The Basic Myths
1Beginnings
iThe emergence of ancestors (Aztec)67
iiThe man of crops (Jicaque)68
iiiWhy the earth eats the dead (Bribri)74
ivOpossum steals fire (Mazatec)77
2Destructions and New Beginnings
vThe loss of the ancients (Tarahumara)79
viThe flood myth (Mixe)80
viiThe seeds of humanity (Guaymi)84
viiiThe tree and the flood (Cabecar)84
3The Quest for Corn
ixThe hidden corn (Mopan)86
xCorn woman's marriage (Cora)90
xiThe grasshoppers and the corn (Pipil)98
4Sun Myths
xiiThe sun and the fire (Huichol)100
xiiiHow the sun was named (Yaqui)101
xivThe childhood of sun and moon (Chatino)102
xvSun and his brothers (Tzotzil)110
xviThe courtship of sun and moon (Kekchi)112
5Journeys to the Other World
xviiThunder's apprentice (Mam)116
xviiiThe dead wife (Miskito)117
xixThe buzzard husband (Tzutujil)120
xxThe visit to the animal master (Chinantec)123
Part 3Building mythologies
1Myths in Sequence129
2Gods and the Ordering of Space143
3Adventures of the Hero158
4Writing History174
5Myths and Nationalism188
Afterword208
Glossary of Special Terms215
Notes on Sources217
References230
Index244
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