Mayan Folktales

Anthropologist Sexton ( Ignacio ) has compiled nearly 40 folktales from the Mayan Indians, focusing on the Quiche-Maya of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. In so doing, he reveals a rich and complex culture that is still very much alive. Many of the myths, according to Sexton, are designed to reinforce behavior considered positive by the society. They often demonstrate a bawdy sense of humor, as in the story of the promiscuous woman who eats her lover's sex organ and as a result dies of thirst. Others reveal an anti-technological strain (a rich man tries to send his son money by hanging it on the telegraph wire). Finally, the highly entertaining story of the Rabbit and Uncle Coyote, in which the clever rabbit constantly outwits the coyote, cannot help but remind readers of the African-American tales of Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox or modern ``Roadrunner'' cartoons--thus showing the universality of the emotions tapped by these myths. In an excellent introduction, Sexton to avoid repetition--introduce/introduction--and since most readers of this rather specific book probably won't need to be `introduced' to G?/ contrasts the Guatemalan Mayans clearer, I think with their more familiar cousins in Mexico. (May)