Book

Chan Kom: a Maya village

University of Chicago PressChicago • Published In 1962 • Pages:

By: Redfield, Robert, Villa Rojas, Alfonso.

Abstract
This is an intensive study of the folk culture of the village of Chan Kom, located in the north central part of the Yucatan peninsula. The basic presentation is in twelve chapters concentrating successively on the village and its setting; history; tools and techniques; economics; the division of labor; family, village and state; the invisible world; ceremonies of field and hive; the novena and the village fiesta; sickness and its cure; the life cycle; and the meaning of nature. The autobiography of a native community leader is presented as a separate chapter. The six appendices include a diary of his life in Chan Kom by Villa Rojas; some myths, legends, and tales; texts of Maya prayers; notes on midwifery by Katherine MacKay; an analysis of Indian and Spanish elements in the culture; and a glossary of Maya and Spanish animal and plant names mentioned in the text. The original draft of this source was prepared by Redfield and was submitted to Villa Rojas for additions and changes.
Subjects
Life history materials
Cereal agriculture
Dwellings
Division of labor by gender
Extended families
Artificial kin relationships
Community structure
Community heads
Inter-community relations
Revolution
Theory of disease
Magical and mental therapy
Ecclesiastical organization
culture
Maya (Yucatán Peninsula)
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Middle America and the Caribbean
Sub Region
Maya Area
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1965
Field Date
1927-1933
Coverage Date
prehistory-1933
Coverage Place
village of Chan Kom, Yucatan, Mexico
Notes
by Robert Redfield…and Alfonso Villa R.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 375 and 380) and index
LCSH
Mayas