Maya Religion Activity
A Big Myth, Take 1
The power of myths like Theseus and the Minotaur, above, and the Hero Twins, below, lays in the lessons they teach us about ourselves.
BRAINBOX: What is the difference between a legend or a fable and a myth?
For this activity, you will create your own myth. I'm sure that many of you already know some myths, perhaps one or two from ancient Greece or Rome. Before you begin, however, it will be good to think about the difference between legends or fables and myths. Without a doubt, there are similarities, but there are also important differences.
In varying degrees, all include "made-up" or "exaggerated" elements. All may also lend important lessons to be learned. Fables, however, are entirely made up and always have a moral to them. Legends are often about real, often heroic, people, but the actions of those people are often exaggerated. Sometimes there is a lesson involved, but more often the value in a legend is in how they inspire us to be more like the characters in the story.
Myths are different in a couple of ways. While myths almost always have heroes, they also have gods and demi-gods, as well as fabulous creatures. In myths, the tales can be based on the stories of real people and, like legends, those stories are often exaggerated to make the hero look good. In that way, myths can inspire us like legends do.
For this activity, you will create your own myth. I'm sure that many of you already know some myths, perhaps one or two from ancient Greece or Rome. Before you begin, however, it will be good to think about the difference between legends or fables and myths. Without a doubt, there are similarities, but there are also important differences.
In varying degrees, all include "made-up" or "exaggerated" elements. All may also lend important lessons to be learned. Fables, however, are entirely made up and always have a moral to them. Legends are often about real, often heroic, people, but the actions of those people are often exaggerated. Sometimes there is a lesson involved, but more often the value in a legend is in how they inspire us to be more like the characters in the story.
Myths are different in a couple of ways. While myths almost always have heroes, they also have gods and demi-gods, as well as fabulous creatures. In myths, the tales can be based on the stories of real people and, like legends, those stories are often exaggerated to make the hero look good. In that way, myths can inspire us like legends do.
Myths create a cultural identity. As you read about the Hero Twins, think about the lessons they teach about what it means to be Maya.
For me, however, there is both a content and creative difference. In terms of content, myths tell about the early history of a place, a people, a practice, or a phenomenon of nature. And that historical element is important. Additionally, and this is most important to me, legends are about 'others," while myths are about "us." Think about that.
I'll use Greek myths as an example to try to explain what I mean. Sure, Greek myths are great stories about heroes and the gods. But they were also so much more. Greek myths gave the ancient Greeks a sense of their own history, a sense of what it meant to be Greek. When he volunteered to battle the mythical Minotaur, Theseus demonstrated what it meant to be courageous. In 480 BCE, the Spartans took that lesson with them when they battled a vastly superior Persian force at Thermopylae. In the Iliad, when Achilles stepped onto the field of battle to fight Hektor, the Trojan hero, and avenge the killing of his cousin, Patrocolus, he taught a lesson about honor. Those lessons are the power of myths. For the ancient Greeks, their myths told those who knew the stories things such as how to be courageous, how to behave honorably, and how to relate to the gods. In doing so, they created a Greek identity.
I'll use Greek myths as an example to try to explain what I mean. Sure, Greek myths are great stories about heroes and the gods. But they were also so much more. Greek myths gave the ancient Greeks a sense of their own history, a sense of what it meant to be Greek. When he volunteered to battle the mythical Minotaur, Theseus demonstrated what it meant to be courageous. In 480 BCE, the Spartans took that lesson with them when they battled a vastly superior Persian force at Thermopylae. In the Iliad, when Achilles stepped onto the field of battle to fight Hektor, the Trojan hero, and avenge the killing of his cousin, Patrocolus, he taught a lesson about honor. Those lessons are the power of myths. For the ancient Greeks, their myths told those who knew the stories things such as how to be courageous, how to behave honorably, and how to relate to the gods. In doing so, they created a Greek identity.
A Big Myth, Take 2: The Hero Twins
What game did the Hero Twins play well?
Once upon a time, a long time ago, there lived two brothers. The brothers tried very hard to be good gardeners, but even the rabbit that came to eat the vegetables in their garden knew that the brothers were not very good at gardening. What they were good at, great at, even most excellent at were ball games, especially the game of Pok-a-tok. All elegance and grace, whenever the boys played ball, crowds gathered to watch. And, whenever crowds gathered to watch the brothers play ball, the crowds cheered so loudly that their raucous noise disrupted the sleeping Lords of Death. And, while the reason probably seems obvious... you never want to wake up the Lords of Death!
Where did the Maya Lords of Death live?
The Lords of Death lived in the Underworld, which the Maya called Xibalba. The Lords of Death were mischievous and scheming. They loved to trick people into dying. They thought the two ball game loving boys were most arrogant, pridefully parading up and down the field as they played. The Lords decided that something had to be done to put a stop to their noisy ways.
Where did the Maya Lords of Death live?
The Lords of Death lived in the Underworld, which the Maya called Xibalba. The Lords of Death were mischievous and scheming. They loved to trick people into dying. They thought the two ball game loving boys were most arrogant, pridefully parading up and down the field as they played. The Lords decided that something had to be done to put a stop to their noisy ways.
Above, the Maya Lords of Xibalba, their name for the Underworld.
The Lords of Death got together and hatched a cunning plan. They sent a message to the boys, praising their wonderful talents, and inviting them to play a ball game in the Underworld, for the gods. Since no balls or protective gear could be provided in the underworld, the boys were told to bring their own. Normally, no one played ball in the Underworld, so a ball game played by the boys would be a great treat for everyone.
The boys, however, did not trust the Lords of Death. Instead of bringing their gear, they hid it under the rafters beneath the roof of their mother’s house. Without gear, the boys reasoned, they might not have to play and could thus avoid whatever trickery the Lords of Death had planned for them.
The boys, however, did not trust the Lords of Death. Instead of bringing their gear, they hid it under the rafters beneath the roof of their mother’s house. Without gear, the boys reasoned, they might not have to play and could thus avoid whatever trickery the Lords of Death had planned for them.
|
One fine morning, the boys set out for the Underworld. They made it safely across the river of spikes. They made it safely across the river of blood. They made it safely across the river of pus. After successfully avoiding the dangers of those challenges, the boys arrived safely at the house of the Lords of Death.
The Lords first tricked the boys by greeting them with a wooden statue instead of a real Lord. When the boys said hello to the statue, the real Lords shook their heads in pretend shock. “Do you think our heads are filled with wood?” they cried. The boys had failed their first test. “Ah, well,” said one of the Lords. “You got across the rivers safely, and that’s something...” “Hardly anyone ever does that!” said another of the Lords. “Have a seat,” said a third, “while we think about what to do with you.” The boys sat down on a nearby bench. The bench they sat on was burning hot. The boys leaped up, but it was too late. Fooled again, they had failed another test. For failing two tests, the boys were immediately sacrificed. Returned to their homeland, their bodies were buried under a ball court back on earth. |
The Maya believed that caves were entrances to the Underworld.
Above, the twins greeting a wooden statue.
|
That would have been the end of the story except for one thing. No one knows why, but the Lords of Death placed the head of one of the boys in a fork in a tree. Well, one day a young woman was walking by the woods when, magically, the head spoke to her. When she reached her hand out to see if it was a real head, the head spat into her hand. Startled, the woman stepped back and stared. In the time it took to look at her hand, the saliva entered her body. Later, the young woman gave birth to the Hero Twins.
Ah, the Hero Twins! Their grandmother loved them dearly. Like their father and uncle, however, the Hero Twins were not very good at gardening. Time and again, they lost all that they planted. Tired and disappointed, the boys decided to set traps and hide to see if they could catch who was destroying their garden.
Ah, the Hero Twins! Their grandmother loved them dearly. Like their father and uncle, however, the Hero Twins were not very good at gardening. Time and again, they lost all that they planted. Tired and disappointed, the boys decided to set traps and hide to see if they could catch who was destroying their garden.
It seems of all the guilty animals destroying their garden, the twins were really only good at, great at, absolutely excellent at catching rats. The twins tortured the guilty rats by holding them by their necks over a fire. That's why rats have a bug-eyed appearance and bald tails.
One day, they caught a rat that could talk. The rat said, “Listen to me, you two. If you’ll let me go, I’ll tell you why you’re so good at catching rats.” The talking rat had their attention. “Your father and uncle could catch things, too,” said the rat. “Promise to let me go and I’ll tell you all about a game of ball they played with the Lords of Death.”
One day, they caught a rat that could talk. The rat said, “Listen to me, you two. If you’ll let me go, I’ll tell you why you’re so good at catching rats.” The talking rat had their attention. “Your father and uncle could catch things, too,” said the rat. “Promise to let me go and I’ll tell you all about a game of ball they played with the Lords of Death.”
The Hero Twins let the rat go. In exchange, the rat told them all about the Lords of Death. He even told them what their father had hidden high in the rafters beneath the roof of their grandmother’s home.
The Hero Twins dug out that old gear and soon became the most wonderful ballplayers in the world! They were as talented as their father and uncle were. There were so many cheers each time they played that the racket once again attracted the attention of the Lords of Death.
The Hero Twins dug out that old gear and soon became the most wonderful ballplayers in the world! They were as talented as their father and uncle were. There were so many cheers each time they played that the racket once again attracted the attention of the Lords of Death.
“I thought we got rid of those horrid boys,” said a Lord.
The Lords shook their heads. Something had to be done to stop that horrible noise. If there’s one thing tricksters like more than a good scheme, it is not having to work too hard to plan a prank. There was no need for something new, they reasoned. They’d beat noisy, ball-playing boys before. And so, messengers were sent to invite the twins to come and play a game of ball in the Underworld. Their grandmother was sad when she heard about it. She knew she was going to lose her grandsons, just as she had lost her sons before them. Nobody ever beat the Lords of Death.
BRAINBOX: Why did the Maya build ball courts in each city?
Thanks to the talking rat, the twins knew what had happened long ago. They guessed that the Lords would pull the same tricks on them that they had pulled on their father and uncle. They knew the Lords expected to be greeted by name. One of the twins pulled a hair from his chin and turned it into a mosquito. The twins could do things like that. While they were not good gardeners, they were magical with animals. They sent the mosquito to visit the Lords of Death.
The Lords shook their heads. Something had to be done to stop that horrible noise. If there’s one thing tricksters like more than a good scheme, it is not having to work too hard to plan a prank. There was no need for something new, they reasoned. They’d beat noisy, ball-playing boys before. And so, messengers were sent to invite the twins to come and play a game of ball in the Underworld. Their grandmother was sad when she heard about it. She knew she was going to lose her grandsons, just as she had lost her sons before them. Nobody ever beat the Lords of Death.
BRAINBOX: Why did the Maya build ball courts in each city?
Thanks to the talking rat, the twins knew what had happened long ago. They guessed that the Lords would pull the same tricks on them that they had pulled on their father and uncle. They knew the Lords expected to be greeted by name. One of the twins pulled a hair from his chin and turned it into a mosquito. The twins could do things like that. While they were not good gardeners, they were magical with animals. They sent the mosquito to visit the Lords of Death.
As instructed, the mosquito bit the first Lord he saw. Nothing happened. That Lord was made of wood. He bit another and another. In each case, one Lord turned to another and called him by name, asking if he was all right. After the mosquito had learned all of the Lords’ names, the mosquito came home and told the twins all about it.
The twins packed carefully for their trip. When they arrived at the house of the Lords, they announced that they were not about to say good morning to a wooden dummy.
“You passed the test,” smiled one of the Lords, who was secretly gritting his teeth in frustration. “Take a seat,” he said, pointing at a cozy-looking bench.
“No hot seat for us,” said the twins as politely as possible. “We’ll stand, thanks.”
“You passed the second test,” said one of the Lords, sounding delighted about it. The twins were not fooled.
They were challenged to more tests. They were sent into the Dark House. They did not light the cigars the Lords had given them to “light their way.” Instead, they attached fireflies to the end of their cigars and found their way out that. They were sent to the Razor House where sharp blades were supposed to cut them to ribbons. There, they escaped as a rat would, by crawling under the blades. They were sent to the Jaguar House, but they escaped the Jaguar House by feeding the jaguars the bones they had brought along, just in case.
The twins packed carefully for their trip. When they arrived at the house of the Lords, they announced that they were not about to say good morning to a wooden dummy.
“You passed the test,” smiled one of the Lords, who was secretly gritting his teeth in frustration. “Take a seat,” he said, pointing at a cozy-looking bench.
“No hot seat for us,” said the twins as politely as possible. “We’ll stand, thanks.”
“You passed the second test,” said one of the Lords, sounding delighted about it. The twins were not fooled.
They were challenged to more tests. They were sent into the Dark House. They did not light the cigars the Lords had given them to “light their way.” Instead, they attached fireflies to the end of their cigars and found their way out that. They were sent to the Razor House where sharp blades were supposed to cut them to ribbons. There, they escaped as a rat would, by crawling under the blades. They were sent to the Jaguar House, but they escaped the Jaguar House by feeding the jaguars the bones they had brought along, just in case.
Time and again, the Lords of the Underworld tested the Hero Twins.
One Lord said, “There is only one test left.” The twins knew there would be test after test, until they finally died. Nobody ever beat the Lords of Death. When the Lord said, “Let us see if you can jump over these ovens”, the twins jumped into the oven instead and died.
This would have been the end of the story, except for one thing: the Lords made a mistake. Pleased that the twins were finally dead, the Lords scattered their ashes in the river. That was the only way the twins could come back to life. First they came back as catfish, then as their normal selves.
This would have been the end of the story, except for one thing: the Lords made a mistake. Pleased that the twins were finally dead, the Lords scattered their ashes in the river. That was the only way the twins could come back to life. First they came back as catfish, then as their normal selves.
From a Maya vase, the Hero Twins as catfish.
The Hero Twins discovered quite by accident that they had picked up some powers on their travels. They could cut themselves up and come back to life again and again, over and over. They could burn a house down and then restore it back to its original shape. The Hero Twins traveled from town to town, performing tricks for a living.
The Lords of Death heard of their amazing act. They sent the twins an invitation to the Underworld, not knowing that they were inviting the very twins they had killed so recently. When the twins finished their act, the Lords were delighted.
The Lords of Death heard of their amazing act. They sent the twins an invitation to the Underworld, not knowing that they were inviting the very twins they had killed so recently. When the twins finished their act, the Lords were delighted.
“Do me next,” one Lord cried. “Chop me up and put me back together again!”
The twins were delighted to chop up the Lord, but they did not put the Lord back together again. The other Lords knew they had been defeated. Rather than risk losing any more Lords, they sent the twins back to earth.
What happened to the Hero Twins after they defeated the Lords of Death?
The gods of the heavens, who had a hand in all this, honored the courage and cleverness of the Hero Twins by bringing them up to the sky. One twin became the sun; the other became the moon. The gods of the sky honored the children of the Hero Twins by making them the rulers of the earth. And the rulers of the earth honor their parents and the other gods of the sky by building ball courts in every town in the world.
The twins were delighted to chop up the Lord, but they did not put the Lord back together again. The other Lords knew they had been defeated. Rather than risk losing any more Lords, they sent the twins back to earth.
What happened to the Hero Twins after they defeated the Lords of Death?
The gods of the heavens, who had a hand in all this, honored the courage and cleverness of the Hero Twins by bringing them up to the sky. One twin became the sun; the other became the moon. The gods of the sky honored the children of the Hero Twins by making them the rulers of the earth. And the rulers of the earth honor their parents and the other gods of the sky by building ball courts in every town in the world.
BRAINBOX: Why is the story of the Hero Twins an "origin" or "creation" story? What makes it a myth?
A Big Myth, Take 3: Creature Feature
The Maya believed that mirrors were portals to another dimension. By looking into a mirror, they believed, you might be able to see and communicate with the demons who inhabited the Underworld.
|
For this activity, you will create your own myth, and you will begin by using the oval mirror template at right to draw the creature you will feature in your myth.
Follow these steps to success:
|
|