The Mythology of Mexico and Central America

by Bierhorst, John

• ISBN13: 9780195146219
• ISBN10: 0195146212
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-22
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

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.

Author Biography

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

Preface	v
A Note on Pronunciation	xv
Introduction	1	(18)
PART ONE: THE STORYTELLERS
Central Mexico	19	(10)
Oaxaca	29	(7)
Southern Mesoamerica	36	(11)
Northwest Mexico	47	(7)
Lower Central America	54	(75)
PART TWO: THE BASIC MYTHS
Beginnings
The Emergence of Ancestors (Aztec)	67	(1)
The Man of Crops (Jicaque)	68	(6)
Why the Earth Eats the Dead (Bribri)	74	(3)
Opossum Steals Fire (Mazatec)	77	(2)
Destructions and New Beginnings
The Loss of the Ancients (Tarahumara)	79	(1)
The Flood Myth (Mixe)	80	(4)
The Seeds of Humanity (Guaymi)	84	(1)
The Tree and the Flood (Cabecar)	84	(2)
The Quest for Corn
The Hidden Corn (Mopan)	86	(4)
Corn Woman's Marriage (Cora)	90	(8)
The Grasshoppers and the Corn (Pipil)	98	(2)
Sun Myths
The Sun and the Fire (Huichol)	100	(1)
How the Sun Was Named (Yaqui)	101	(1)
The Childhood of Sun and Moon (Chatino)	102	(8)
Sun and His Brothers (Tzotzil)	110	(2)
The Courtship of Sun and Moon (Kekchi)	112	(4)
Journeys to the Other World
Thunder's Apprentice (Mam)	116	(1)
The Dead Wife (Miskito)	117	(3)
The Buzzard Husband (Tzutujil)	120	(3)
The Visit to the Animal Master (Chinantec)	123	(6)
PART THREE: BUILDING MYTHOLOGIES
Myths in Sequence	129	(14)
Gods and the Ordering of Space	143	(15)
Adventures of the Hero	158	(16)
Writing History	174	(14)
Myths and Nationalism	188	(20)
Afterword	208	(7)
Glossary of Special Terms	215	(2)
Notes on Sources	217	(13)
References	230	(14)
Index	244