The Mayan civilization is one of the most ancient and advanced civilizations that existed in Latin America in pre-Columbian times. Mayan culture is known for advanced knowledge in architecture, mathematics, and astronomy, as well as a developed system of communication, religion, and art, which still impact the modern peoples of Latin America. This article will investigate the ancient civilization and demonstrate the connection between its historical features and the current culture of the countries located in the area that once was the Maya Empire.
The Mayan civilization has a long history of development due to its remoteness from European cultures. Scientists believe that the first Mayan peoples arose in the Archaic period of 7000 BC; the heyday of civilization falls in the Classic period of 250-950 AD (Mark, 2021). The next 500 years were marked by the civilization’s decline due to the migration from cities; however, the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the early sixteenth century caused the fall of society (Mark, 2021).
Nevertheless, the Mayan culture still exists and is represented by the descendants of a great civilization, namely the people of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco, and Chiapas in Mexico, as well as Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras (Mark, 2021). In addition, many Mayan people migrated to the United States, where they are considered an ethnic minority.
Moreover, culture and values have a significant influence on the modern development of descendant countries. Firstly, art and science are the cultural heritage of Mexico and the national pride of Guatemala and Honduras, which also contribute to tourism development in these countries. In addition, the cultural values of the Maya are also reflected in modern culture. For example, the Mayan peoples had a collectivistic culture necessary for the development of society and defense (Mark, 2021). For example, children Mayan children were raised in an extended family (Restall & Solari, 2020). Today, residents of such countries as Honduras, Mexico, and Guatemala also have a collectivistic culture, since family values and community needs dominate individual interests. This trait is not necessary for modern society, and it is likely inherited from the ancient Mayans.
Another feature is Mayan art, which was widespread and developed throughout civilization, especially at its rise. One of the most famous architectural pieces is El Castillo’s Pyramids in Chichen Itza and the Temple of the Hieroglyphic Staircase in Honduras (Mark, 2021).
There are also remains of other pyramids and massive murals that demonstrate the development of ancient Maya art and science. The Mayan culture is also known for its stone works such as figures, statues, jewelry, and household items. One famous is the Mayan Calendar, as it is an example of the subtlety of stonework and, at the same time, an important scientific artifact that reflects the beliefs of the people (Mark, 2021). In addition, the ancient peoples had a written language, which was reflected in the transmission of their cultural traditions and rituals to the modern days.
At the same, one can see features of Mayan art in the contemporary culture of Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. These features are manifested in different objects from simple household items and clothing with traditional designs to works by famous artists such as Frida Kahlo, Juan Sisay, and Rafael Gonzales (“Ancient Mayan art,” n.d; ” Maya Art Today, ” n.d). Consequently, the Mayan culture has an impact on the contemporary art of descendants and also has a significant historical value for the countries that occupy the territory of the former Empire.
Such features are associated with the pride descendant of their history Maya and religious values that still exist in their culture. The ancient Maya believed in the cyclical nature of life and many gods responsible for various natural phenomena (Mark, 2021). In other words, the Mayan religion was paganism built on cosmological theories of the cyclical nature of history. Mayans believed that after death, the souls ended up in the underworld Xibalba, and a successful journey through it should bring them to paradise (Mark, 2021). These beliefs promoted the value of science and its development since by studying the surrounding world, people became closer to the gods… For this reason, the Maya had a developed science and knowledge about space, astrology, and mathematics that were important for the development of society.
Religious beliefs also influenced architecture, customs, and traditions, and most temples and palaces were created for the worship of gods. An essential part of the faith was the respect and value of the spirits and gods of nature, to whom sacrifices and ritual dances were performed for a good harvest (Mark, 2021). These beliefs and rituals are still partially preserved in modern Maya; for example, the Daykeeper of a village performs rituals and prays to the god of rain, sun, or fertility (Mark, 2021). These features are reflected in the everyday culture and art of the modern Maya and demonstrate a connection with ancient civilization’s traditions and beliefs.
Another value and feature of Mayan society was the equality of gender roles. The ancient Maya highly valued the ability to give birth as a powerful and integral part of a community; thus, females played a central role. For example, Mayan inherited names from their mothers and their property (Restall & Solari, 2020). Women participated equally with men in the political, cultural, and economic life of society (Chavira, n.d.). Women were also rulers and warriors, although this custom was not widespread.
Men, along with women, also participated in housekeeping, construction, and farming. All these features demonstrate the absence of specific gender roles, which provided equal opportunities in society. However, colonization has led to the gradual imposition of patriarchal standards, and in modern Mayan culture, men play the role of religious and political leaders and control finances, while women are responsible for householding (Chavira, n.d.). Thus, these differences in gender roles demonstrate the process of acculturation of the Maya by the European colonialists.
Moreover, the process of acculturation significantly influenced all spheres of Maya life, and the modern representatives of these peoples have minor differences from the rest of Latin American ethnicities. However, although colonization and subsequent industrialization imposed on the Maya European values and traditions of the conquistadors, the culture preserved some traditions and rituals (Seo, 2018). Therefore, a representative of another culture needs to know the characteristics of faith, practices, and collectivistic values to join the community. However, since different tribes and separate communities represent Maya culture, rituals, beliefs, and traditions may differ.
Thus, any person who wants to acculturate with the Maya needs to study the characteristics of the faith and practices of a particular community. They also need to learn the language of communities, which is most often a dialect of Spanish or a modern language form of Quiche or Yucates (Mark, 2021). However, in most cases, Mayan people lead the same lifestyle as other tribes or ethnicities in their countries of residence, engaging in different activities from farming to wage labor and business.
Therefore, the analysis shows that the Mayan civilization’s developed culture influences the modern people of some central American countries through religion, values, and art. Although civilization has not existed for centuries, the Maya traditions and beliefs in cyclic life were not fully acculturated by Europeans. The cultural values of collectivism also still exist in the nations of Central America. In addition, religious traditions and culture are also partly reflected in contemporary art and beliefs and have central importance to modern Mayan people.
References
Ancient Mayan art. (n.d.). Web.
Chavira, C. (n.d.). Mayan religion: Study of gender roles past and present. Web.
Mark, J. J. (2021). Maya Civilization. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Web.
Restall, M., & Solari. A. (2020). The Maya: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
Seo, N. (2018). Natural and man-made catastrophes: Theories, economics, and policy designs. Wiley & Sons.