Abstract

GUERRERO MARTINEZ, Fernando. Contemporary mayan groups’ concepts about animals. Rev. pueblos front. digit. [online]. 2015, vol.10, n.20, pp.6-43. ISSN 1870-4115.  https://doi.org/10.22201/cimsur.18704115e.2015.20.31.

The concepts Mayan groups have regarding fauna involve knowledge and practices that result from sharp observation of their surroundings. This paper articulates important aspects of human-animal interaction in order to demonstrate the complexity underlying the notion of what animals mean in the Mayan world and the implications for the inhabitants of these areas. Narratives regarding the origin of animals in different Mayan stories describe the nature of animals, the role they play in the world and their relationship with humans. Animals’ privileged position as a bridge between human beings and deities and other beings can be read through animal signs and omens. Contact with animals in their natural environment enables diverse kinds of relationships that are of use to indigenous people in developing their way of life and their explanations about the world.

Keywords : perception of surroundings; fauna; zoogony; divination and signs.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )