Rabinal Achi: A Mayan Drama of War and Sacrifice

The script is descended from a line of manuscripts going back to the 16th century, when Mayan authors first began adapting Roman letters to write, and portrays events in Mayan history of a century before as well as mythological events. It is produced regularly in Rabinal, a town in the highlands of Guatemala. Besides Rabinal Achi, Man of Rabinal, it is called Xajoj Tun, Dance of the Trumpets. Tedlock (English and anthropology, State U. of New York-Buffalo) provides a translation and sets the play in historical and cultural context. There is no index. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR