The Mayas

     Linda Nyquist says that there are Mayas in Central America, but doubts that the Mayas will ever unite. She writes:
     There are indeed Mayas in the Central American region; the Mayas of San Cristobal de las Casas, and certainly of the mountains of Guatemala are referred to as "Highland Maya." Of course, there are many indiginous groups in the area. Important to note is that even is rather small geographic areas, the dialects of spoken language will be very different and often unintelligible one to the other. In Oaxaca, for example, there are probably 150 languages/dialects spoken, and for the most part, they are quite distinct from each other.
     Because of this language problem, combined with the fringe status (economically) of these groups, it has long been considered fairly unlikely that the various groups would bind together in any real, threatening way. This has worked well in terms of control.
     WAISers might enjoy taking a look at Erich Fromm's study "Social Character in a Mexican Village." Fromm postulates that cooperation outside the family unit is not culturally likely or sanctioned. Oscar Lewis supported this view in his anthropological studies. Indigenous groups are highly independent, and individuals are, too.
     Is there any REAL possibility that these groups whom we lump together, will actually cooperate for political change? I personally don't believe so, but suspect that I am inviting the WAISer firing squad on this one!
     My comment: Don't worry, Linda. WAIS has a bouncer who throws out anyone carrying a gun. One criterion is: which groups consider themselves Maya? Certainly many do. As for the Mayas uniting, that is certainly what outside militant promoters of their cause hope. I commented that Europe is a linguistic madhouse. If the indigenists of America get their way and Indian languages are promoted, hundreds of padded cells will be necessary.

Ronald Hilton - 06/26/99