Maya ritual and dance are inseparable and based on several principles. First, sounds and movements are indivisible and simultaneously convey the past, present, and future. Second, since an Indigenous majority has a long history of oppression and threat, their ritual dances often express sacrifice. At the same time, they portray both victims and those who dominate. In general, rituals and dances help humans connect to various natural elements and objects and become confluent with them.
Another interesting element of ritual dances is the combination of animate and inanimate objects. Every constituent has its own meaning and may influence human well-being significantly. For example, “throwing maize on the floor results in poverty,” which may be related to the times when maize was the only food the Indigenous people had (Firmino-Castillo 33). Mayas used ritual dances and added diverse elements to them to prevent misfortune or disease.
Having watched the videos of Grupo Sotz’il’s performance, I can conclude that rituals and dances help Mayas better comprehend the world and connect to their ancestors. For example, in the clip “Xul Kej – Cortometraje”, the performer discovers a small figure made of clay and imagines its history (Barillas). He uses this figure as a whistle and connects to his ancestors, holding them in the highest esteem through this melody. In the second video, the dancers engage in dialog with other creatures, introducing them to their culture (Movimiento de Artistas Mayas Ruk’u’x). It seems that they try to achieve a harmonious order in the relationships with these creatures, natural forces, and other unseen objects.
In conclusion, I think that Mayas use rituals and dances to preserve relationality between all animate and inanimate objects in the past, present, and future. They serve as a way to connect with ancestors, spirits, gods, and other worship things to demonstrate respect and ask for support and approval. Moreover, dances and rituals bind all humans and build new worlds around them, endowed with special meanings and destinations.
Works Cited
Barillas, Viktor Manuel. “Xul Kej – Cortometraje.” YouTube, uploaded by verdulio, 2008, Web.
Firmino-Castillo, Maria Regina. “RUXIMIK QAK’U’X: Inextricable Relationalities in Mayan Performance Practice.”
Movimiento de Artistas Mayas Ruk’u’x. “Uk’u’x Ulew – Grupo Sotz’il Sololá.” YouTube, 2014, Web.