I had mixed feelings about reading Popol Vuh: the Dawn of Life created by the Mayans. I attempted to read the first two chapters before class as I had registered late and missed a day. It didn’t go so well. The paragraphing felt choppy and as I couldn’t pronounce some of the words it was hard for me to understand what was going on, especially with the hustle and bustle of the class settling in. I was definitely less than interested in the writing. I have been raised in a Catholic household and was not enthusiastic about reading another creation story. The one I had learned in Religion classes was dull enough! I listened as the class went on and it wasn’t until Professor Benander read the text in Mayan, how it should be read, that it sparked an interest to me. I have always had a love for ancient culture but never had I had an experience quite like that. Something spoke to me from that text, from that language, that just gave me chills. I went home and reread and finished reading Popol Vuh. I found it quite fascinating. I had a much better understanding. The creation of the Mayans was a trail and error for the gods. They had made many mistakes in creating the human race, the animals who could not talk, the mud people who melted, and the wooden people who were perhaps the biggest disappointment of all. One thing I can not seem to get out of my mind is that this had, as class has referred to it, a “Christian” lens over the text. I found it funny that a Christian man focused so deeply on the fact that the gods were imperfect. They could not seem to create humans, while the one, almighty Christian God merely had to say let there be life, and there was life. This was funny to me because it felt like he was trying to point out how imperfect these gods were, like highlighting their flaws. I have been trying to discover what exactly I believe as far as religion goes my entire life, and I’ve got to say the Popol Vuh won me over a great deal more that the bible (something I shall never mention to my mother.) The fact that creation was not simple for the gods was something that I liked. It made it relatable. No matter who you are, mortal or god, you have to work for what you want! Also, I enjoyed the destruction of Vucub-Caquix much more than Santan’s dismissal in the Christian creation story. Popol Vuh was descriptive and a beautiful creation tale. I’m not saying I’m converting anytime soon but its definitely something I will never forget. Sunday, January 9, 2011
Huv Lopop
I had mixed feelings about reading Popol Vuh: the Dawn of Life created by the Mayans. I attempted to read the first two chapters before class as I had registered late and missed a day. It didn’t go so well. The paragraphing felt choppy and as I couldn’t pronounce some of the words it was hard for me to understand what was going on, especially with the hustle and bustle of the class settling in. I was definitely less than interested in the writing. I have been raised in a Catholic household and was not enthusiastic about reading another creation story. The one I had learned in Religion classes was dull enough! I listened as the class went on and it wasn’t until Professor Benander read the text in Mayan, how it should be read, that it sparked an interest to me. I have always had a love for ancient culture but never had I had an experience quite like that. Something spoke to me from that text, from that language, that just gave me chills. I went home and reread and finished reading Popol Vuh. I found it quite fascinating. I had a much better understanding. The creation of the Mayans was a trail and error for the gods. They had made many mistakes in creating the human race, the animals who could not talk, the mud people who melted, and the wooden people who were perhaps the biggest disappointment of all. One thing I can not seem to get out of my mind is that this had, as class has referred to it, a “Christian” lens over the text. I found it funny that a Christian man focused so deeply on the fact that the gods were imperfect. They could not seem to create humans, while the one, almighty Christian God merely had to say let there be life, and there was life. This was funny to me because it felt like he was trying to point out how imperfect these gods were, like highlighting their flaws. I have been trying to discover what exactly I believe as far as religion goes my entire life, and I’ve got to say the Popol Vuh won me over a great deal more that the bible (something I shall never mention to my mother.) The fact that creation was not simple for the gods was something that I liked. It made it relatable. No matter who you are, mortal or god, you have to work for what you want! Also, I enjoyed the destruction of Vucub-Caquix much more than Santan’s dismissal in the Christian creation story. Popol Vuh was descriptive and a beautiful creation tale. I’m not saying I’m converting anytime soon but its definitely something I will never forget. 
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I think you make a good point about the translation that we were reading. I think some translations of this book do make the gods out to be sillier than other translations. The Tedlock translation that I handed out in class presents the gods in a more serious manner. However, I think you do make a good point that some parts of the story are actually funny. One doesn't have to change one's faith to appreciate the stories of other peoples.
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