ANTH 0780 (CRN 35171)

Angela Lockard Reed

Fischer and Hendrickson Study Questions

Chapter 4

1.  A story of how wolves appeared in Tecpán, an ominous sign, was told after the Feb. 4, 1976 earthquake in the Guatemala highlands .  Describe the function of this story in Tecpán culture.

2.  Why was la violencia a lot more destructive for Guatemalans than the 1976 earthquake?

3.  How were Indians in particular targeted under la violencia?

4.  Why is there a story of monkeys invading Tecpán in 1981?

5.  What are “weapons of the weak?”  Discuss how the the celebration of the Maxutio image and gossip about Don Eustacio are examples of weapons of the weak.

6.  Maya cultural revitalization movements have been common from both before and after la violencia.  Describe the two principal organizations begun by young Maya in the mid-1970’s and the accomplishments of revitalization efforts in the late 1990’s.  How have Tecpanecos been instrumental in these movements?

Chapter 5

1.  Define and describe the importance of k’u’x and anima to the Maya.

2.  Describe the three main Maya religious and healing specialists.  What do they have in common?

3.  What occurs during a Maya healing ceremony?

4.  Where do Maya ceremonies take place?

5.  What is the Maya explanation for the reason María twisted her ankle?

6.  What are the roles of congregaciones and cofradías in the Tecpán (and Guatemalan) Catholic church?

7.  What are some reasons that can probably explain people’s conversion to Protestantism in Guatemala?

8.  How are Protestant leaders similar to Maya spiritual leaders (and different from Catholic priests)?