Mayan Folktales: Folklore from Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Rating:
Summary: Customer Review
Review: Reviewer, Dr. Janet M. Carey from Littleton, CO
Within this book Sexton has translated and edited thirty-five Mayan folktales told to him by his friend Ignacio Bizarro Ujpan who is a Tzutuhil Mayan Indian living in a town along the shores of Lake Atitlan in the highlands of Guatemala. The tales related are witty, fun and serious and sometimes bring one up with a start. This is a delightful book to read, but along with being entertaining it is a demonstration of the value of folktales within the anthropological realm of the study of a culture.
Analytical work such as Sexton has performed within the pages of Mayan Folktales, as he presents the tales for our enjoyment, also provides a window through which his audience can look to grasp a concept of Mayan thought and culture, modern and ancient. It has been a recognized fact since the 19th century that information exists within the midst of a vast floating body of folk traditions and practices which can add to the speculation of cultural origins, personality, values and attitudes.
Sexton's Introduction is a story in itself and gives the reader the background needed to thoroughly understand and enjoy the tales, his Notes give additional needed explanations. This book is not only a delight to read, but is also demonstrates the rich source of cultural insight concerning obligations, beliefs, values and thought systems to be found in folklore about how a people rationalize political, religious, social and economic behavior.

Rating:
Summary: Misleading
Review: While these stories may have been handed down, they should specifiy that the content in some are actually quite vulgar and tasteless. This includes a male version of a Lorena Bobbit experience, i.e., husband cuts off his wife's lover's private member and feeding it to her.

I had a hard time viewing any of these as a form of cultural insight. Being of Mayan and Aztec descent, I cringe at the possibility that this book may be serve as reference to either cultures' general standards and intelligence levels.