The Mayan civilisation developed in central America around 2000 BC and collapsed around 1000 AD. Mayan territory stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to modern Honduras and El Salvador. It was a remarkable civilisation, socially sophisticated, ruled by dynasties, organised around religion with an extensive hierarchy of social stratification, in the form of classes. By all accounts, Mayan civilisation could hardly be described as peaceful and was characterised by political upheaval and, ironically, coup d'etats, still very much a feature of politics in modern South America.
Mayan civilisation is chronologically divided into the following historical periods: archaic, pre-classic, classic and terminal classic. During the classic period of development, the Maya were concentrated in cities, similar to the modern metropolis. These were also the seats of their rulers. However, for reasons unknown, it was during the terminal classic period that Mayan civilisation deteriorated and disintegrated. It has been suggested that drought, endemic warfare and environmental degradation due to overpopulation were to blame for the collapse of Mayan civilisation.
The good news is that Mayan culture did not entirely disappear and was kept alive by descendants even surviving Spanish imperialism from the 15th century onwards. Mayan beliefs and language proved exceptionally resistant to change despite vigorous efforts by Christian missionaries. Today, the majestic, awe-inspiring Mayan temples and ruins are attractive to tourists, and just like in Africa, handmade crafts (art, ceramics, basketry, textiles and weaving) from pre-colonial times, are valuable to collectors.
The following children's story, using speaking-animals as metaphors for failed popular uprisings, probably originated during the terminal classic phase, among the nobility in all likelihood, when Mayan civilisation was in the process of disintegrating. The rabbit proves too clever for ''all the animals'' and laughs at their attempt to get rid of him.
The rabbit lived in a cave that was the abode of all animals; snakes, turkey vultures, deer and antelope, jaguars, skunks and coyotes. But, they were all unhappy with the sly and cunning rabbit who conducted himself as if he was better than everyone else. One day, having had enough of the rabbit's tricks, they all gathered outside the cave to discuss how they could get rid of him.
But, of course, the rabbit being very clever, looked for a way to escape. The animals outside decided to watch the entrance of the cave because, being animals, they wanted to catch and kill the rabbit.
''Make him come out so that we can deal with him,'' the angry animals said among themselves. ''Don't let him get away; that good-for-nothing has deceived us too many times. Be on your guard. He's now going to pay for all the crimes he has committed against us.''
The turkey vulture flew up above the entrance of the cave to watch for the rabbit. The deer, who could run just as fast, would chase after the rabbit to catch him for the rest of the animals to deal with him. They were very upset with the rabbit.
''Snake on the ground, you watch carefully for him,'' the animals said. ''You, snake, call him.''
''Come out, rabbit,'' said the snake into the cave. ''Hurry.''
''Wait,'' answered the rabbit. ''I'm taking off my sandal.''
''But hurry up,'' said the snake.
''Wait, I'm coming out.'' Answered the rabbit. ''Wait there for me. I'm coming.''
''Well, hurry,'' said the snake again. ''Come out.''
''I'm coming. Wait,'' replied the rabbit.
''Hurry up!'' said the snake.
''All right,'' said the rabbit, at last. ''I'm coming out now. Please, catch my sandal? I beg you.''
The animals consulted among themselves about this request, and decided: ''Catch his sandal. Throw it over there. It's not as if it's your father's sandal that you have to carry.''
''All right, rabbit, throw out your sandal.'' The snake said.
The turkey vulture swooped down and caught the sandal. He gave it to the deer and the deer threw it far away. Now, they all began shouting into the cave for the rabbit to show himself. They didn't know that it was the rabbit they had thrown away.
''Come out!'' Shouted the snake into the cave. ''Come out, right away!''
There was no answer to their shouts. The animals sent the snake into the cave and the snake shouted: ''He's not here! He's not here!''
''He's not there! Maybe it was him we threw?''
''Did you notice if it was his sandal that you threw away?'' The jaguar asked the deer.
''Come out, snake,'' the animals said, defeated and sad, but still angry.
''All right.'' The snake came out.
Afterwards, they began to argue among themselves and almost killed each other. The rabbit managed to go free and when he was far away, he laughed at them.
Adapted from South American Folktales.
Mayan civilisation is chronologically divided into the following historical periods: archaic, pre-classic, classic and terminal classic. During the classic period of development, the Maya were concentrated in cities, similar to the modern metropolis. These were also the seats of their rulers. However, for reasons unknown, it was during the terminal classic period that Mayan civilisation deteriorated and disintegrated. It has been suggested that drought, endemic warfare and environmental degradation due to overpopulation were to blame for the collapse of Mayan civilisation.
The good news is that Mayan culture did not entirely disappear and was kept alive by descendants even surviving Spanish imperialism from the 15th century onwards. Mayan beliefs and language proved exceptionally resistant to change despite vigorous efforts by Christian missionaries. Today, the majestic, awe-inspiring Mayan temples and ruins are attractive to tourists, and just like in Africa, handmade crafts (art, ceramics, basketry, textiles and weaving) from pre-colonial times, are valuable to collectors.
The following children's story, using speaking-animals as metaphors for failed popular uprisings, probably originated during the terminal classic phase, among the nobility in all likelihood, when Mayan civilisation was in the process of disintegrating. The rabbit proves too clever for ''all the animals'' and laughs at their attempt to get rid of him.
The rabbit lived in a cave that was the abode of all animals; snakes, turkey vultures, deer and antelope, jaguars, skunks and coyotes. But, they were all unhappy with the sly and cunning rabbit who conducted himself as if he was better than everyone else. One day, having had enough of the rabbit's tricks, they all gathered outside the cave to discuss how they could get rid of him.
But, of course, the rabbit being very clever, looked for a way to escape. The animals outside decided to watch the entrance of the cave because, being animals, they wanted to catch and kill the rabbit.
''Make him come out so that we can deal with him,'' the angry animals said among themselves. ''Don't let him get away; that good-for-nothing has deceived us too many times. Be on your guard. He's now going to pay for all the crimes he has committed against us.''
The turkey vulture flew up above the entrance of the cave to watch for the rabbit. The deer, who could run just as fast, would chase after the rabbit to catch him for the rest of the animals to deal with him. They were very upset with the rabbit.
''Snake on the ground, you watch carefully for him,'' the animals said. ''You, snake, call him.''
''Come out, rabbit,'' said the snake into the cave. ''Hurry.''
''Wait,'' answered the rabbit. ''I'm taking off my sandal.''
''But hurry up,'' said the snake.
''Wait, I'm coming out.'' Answered the rabbit. ''Wait there for me. I'm coming.''
''Well, hurry,'' said the snake again. ''Come out.''
''I'm coming. Wait,'' replied the rabbit.
''Hurry up!'' said the snake.
''All right,'' said the rabbit, at last. ''I'm coming out now. Please, catch my sandal? I beg you.''
The animals consulted among themselves about this request, and decided: ''Catch his sandal. Throw it over there. It's not as if it's your father's sandal that you have to carry.''
''All right, rabbit, throw out your sandal.'' The snake said.
The turkey vulture swooped down and caught the sandal. He gave it to the deer and the deer threw it far away. Now, they all began shouting into the cave for the rabbit to show himself. They didn't know that it was the rabbit they had thrown away.
''Come out!'' Shouted the snake into the cave. ''Come out, right away!''
There was no answer to their shouts. The animals sent the snake into the cave and the snake shouted: ''He's not here! He's not here!''
''He's not there! Maybe it was him we threw?''
''Did you notice if it was his sandal that you threw away?'' The jaguar asked the deer.
''Come out, snake,'' the animals said, defeated and sad, but still angry.
''All right.'' The snake came out.
Afterwards, they began to argue among themselves and almost killed each other. The rabbit managed to go free and when he was far away, he laughed at them.
Adapted from South American Folktales.
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