When Mayan leaders protested the celebration of the Quincentenary of the "discovery" of America and joined with other indigenous groups in the Americas to proclaim an alternate celebration of 500 years of resistance, they rose to national prominence in Guatemala. This was possible in part because of the cultural, political, economic, and religious revitalization that occurred in Mayan communities in the later half of the twentieth century. Another result of the revitalization was Mayan students' enrollment in graduate programs in order to reclaim the intellectual history of the brilliant Mayan past. Victor Montejo was one of those students.

This is the first book to be published outside of Guatemala where a Mayan writer other than Rigoberta Menchu discusses the history and problems of the country. It collects essays Montejo has written over the past ten years that address three critical issues facing Mayan peoples today: identity, representation, and Mayan leadership. Montejo is deeply invested in furthering the discussion of the effectiveness of Mayan leadership because he believes that self-evaluation is necessary for the movement to advance. He also criticizes the racist treatment that Mayans experience, and advocates for the construction of a more pluralistic Guatemala that recognizes cultural diversity and abandons assimilation. This volume maps a new political alternative for the future of the movement that promotes inter-ethnic collaboration alongside a reverence for Mayan culture.

"This striking project will be of wide interest to scholars and students concerned with social movements and indigenous rights. The topic is important and timely, and the author is one of the most respected Mayan intellectuals and activists." -- Kay Warren, Director of Politics, Culture, and Identity Program, Watson Institute, and Professor of International Studies and Anthropology, Brown University

About the Author

Victor Montejo is Professor of Native American Studies at the University of California, Davis.

Reviews
"This striking project will be of wide interest to scholars and students concerned with social movements and indigenous rights. The topic is important and timely, and the author is one of the most respected Mayan intellectuals and activists." Kay Warren, Director of Politics, Culture, and Identity Program, Watson Institute, and Professor of International Studies and Anthropology, Brown University



Book Information
ISBN 9780292709393
Author Victor D. Montejo
Format Paperback
Page Count 260
Imprint University of Texas Press
Publisher University of Texas Press
Weight(grams) 367g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 18mm