Time and the Highland Maya – Barbara Tedlock – 1988, University of New Mexico Press
Time and the Highland Maya: A Cultural Exploration
Barbara Tedlock’s Time and the Highland Maya examines the complex systems of calendrical knowledge and time reckoning among contemporary Highland Maya communities, specifically in the Nebaj region of Guatemala. The work goes beyond a mere description of the Maya calendar to investigate how time is lived, perceived, and experienced within a cultural context deeply rooted in cosmology, ritual, and social organization.
Historical / Cultural Context
Published in 1988, this book emerged from a period of increasing anthropological interest in indigenous epistemologies and the ways in which different cultures conceptualize reality. Tedlock’s work was situated within a broader movement to move beyond Western-centric understandings of time as linear and quantifiable, and to recognize the validity and richness of cyclical and qualitative temporal frameworks. The political context is also significant; the work reflects the aftermath of the Guatemalan Civil War and an attempt to understand the cultural resilience of Maya communities amidst immense social and political upheaval. It is a direct result of Tedlock’s extended fieldwork and sustained engagement with Maya knowledge holders. The book builds on earlier work by scholars like Sylvanus Morley, but challenges purely archaeological and diffusionist interpretations, prioritizing an emic (insider) perspective.
Who This Book Is For
This book is geared towards readers with an academic or serious interest in anthropology, Mesoamerican studies, and ethnoastronomy. While not requiring prior expertise, readers should be prepared for detailed ethnographic descriptions and nuanced theoretical discussions. The book will also appeal to those interested in cultural conceptions of time, cosmology, and the intersection of knowledge systems. The work is written with a sensitivity to indigenous perspectives and a desire to accurately represent complex cultural beliefs.
Further Reading
- Maya Cosmos: Three Thousand Years on the Shaman’s Path by David Freidel, Linda Schele, and Joy Parker: Explores Maya cosmology and the role of shamanism.
- The Ancient Maya by Robert J. Sharer: A comprehensive overview of Maya civilization, including its historical development and cultural achievements.
- Rhythms of the Cosmos: Stars and Constellations from Myth and Lore by Dennis Tedlock: A broader exploration of cosmological beliefs across cultures, by Barbara Tedlock’s husband, Dennis Tedlock.
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Content is provided for informational and reflective purposes only and does not promote specific beliefs, spiritual practices, or ideological positions. Interpretations presented reflect scholarly, cultural, or symbolic analysis rather than factual claims about the natural world.