[Aztlan] Anthropologist as change agents

[jeremy smith]

Hi Everybody,
   
  New ideas require considerable time to be around before the traditional Maya will accept
  them and allow change to occur. But then the idea is not that new and is considered 
  traditional anyways. Anthropologist have brought changes into the Maya world, some have 
  been quickly accepted, and others have been slowly accepted.
   
  Ruben Reina wrote in his book "The Law of the Saints," published in 1967, about an incident 
  that brought change through his encounter with the Maya. He requested to take a picture of 
  the Santo Nino statue in the church. His request was not well received, and it took some 
  time before an agreement, and arrangements were made so he could do so. Even in the 
  process of taking the picture, there were some very delicate moments within the church 
  walls. Ultimately the picture was taken, and eventually many of the local Maya requested a 
  picture, so they could appease the desires and needs of Santo Nino within the walls of their 
  home. Santo Nino is very delicate and can be angered easily if not approached properly. 
  Ruben changed the way Santo Nino was approached and served within the community.
   
  Maude Oakes wrote in her book "The Two Crosses of Todos Santos," published in 1951, 
  about an encounter that brought new light upon the way the "snake in the belly" curse was 
  looked at:
   
   IT WAS PATRONA WHO NOW SPOKE: “SENORITA, THIS IS A DOUBLY SAD TIME FOR 
  ME BECAUSE MY BROTHER DIED JUST A FEW DAYS AGO NEAR CONCEPCION.”
  
 “THAT IS INDEED SAD, PATRONA,” I SAID. “WAS HE YOUNG?”
  
 “YES, HE WAS THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OLD. HE DIED BECAUSE OF AN ANIMAL
  INSIDE HIM THAT WAS JUMPING ABOUT IN HIS STOMACH. THAT IS WHAT HE DIED 
  OF. NO ONE COULD CURE HIM.”
  
 DOMINGO SAID, “THE PEOPLE OF CONCEPCION ARE BAD PEOPLE. THE BRUJOS 
THERE CAN CAST SPELLS.”
  
 TATA JULIAN SAID, “YES, THEY CAN PUT AN ANIMAL INSIDE YOU. WICKED INDEED 
ARE THE PEOPLE OF CONCEPCION.”
  
 THEY ASKED ME IF I KNEW HOW TO CURE SUCH A CONDITION, AND I SAID, 
  “YES, IT IS AN ANIMAL CALLED TENIA OR TAPEWORM, AND IT CAN BE CURED BY 
  THE SICK ONE SWALLOWING A BOTTLEFUL OF WHITE MEDICINE. THE ANIMAL 
  DOES NOT LIKE THIS AND LEAVES THE BODY, AS IN CHOR, DYSENTERY. WHEN 
  THE ANIMAL COMES OUT ONE MUST WATCH TO BE SURE IT COMES OUT WITH ITS 
  HEAD, FOR IF THE HEAD IS NOT THERE, IT IS INSIDE, AND MORE ANIMALS WILL GROW FROM IT.”
   
  These are but two of many examples within the writings of various anthropologist.
   
  David


       
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