Eighteenth International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities

Abstract

The three Mexican states that make up the peninsula of Yucatan are a world apart in terms of both geography and culture. Culturally, Yucatan is very much a part of the Maya world. Apart from maintaining the traditional lifestyle based on corn farming, the current inhabitants continue a very long literary tradition that dates back to the time of Pre-Columbian hieroglyphic texts and images. Contemporary folktales have ancient themes. Although they are intended to be entertaining and are often humorous, these stories also contain a moral code that applies to interpersonal relationships, as well as to the larger relationships between the human, natural, and supernatural worlds. Some tales explain why things are the way they are now, as opposed to how they were long ago. Many are well known in the peninsula, but relatively few have been written down, and even less have been translated into English. My translation project has led me down a few rabbit holes, but also provided me with glimpses into the Yucatecan worldview.