Xurt'an (the end of the world) showcases the rich storytelling
traditions of the northern Lacandones of Naha' through
a collection of traditional narratives, songs, and ritual
speech. Formerly isolated in the dense, tropical rainforest of
Chiapas, Mexico, the Lacandon Maya constitute one of the smallest
language groups in the world. Although their language remains
active and alive, their traditional culture was abandoned after the
death of their religious and civic leader in 1996. Lacking the
traditional contexts in which the culture was transmitted, the oral
traditions are quickly being forgotten. This collection includes
creation myths that describe the cycle of destruction and renewal
of the world, the structure of the universe, the realms of the gods
and their intercessions in the affairs of their mortals, and the
journey of the souls after death. Other traditional stories are
non-mythic and fictive accounts involving talking animals,
supernatural beings, and malevolent beings that stalk and devour
hapless victims. In addition to traditional narratives, Xurt'an
presents many songs that are claimed to have been received from the
Lord of Maize, magical charms that invoke the forces of the natural
world, invocations to the gods to heal and protect, and work songs
of Lacandon women, whose contribution to Lacandon culture has been
hitherto overlooked by scholars. Women's songs offer a rare glimpse
into the other half of Lacandon society and the arduous distaff
work that sustained the religion. The compilation concludes with
descriptions of rainbows, the Milky Way as "the white road of Our
Lord," and an account of the solstices. Transcribed and translated
by a foremost linguist of the northern Lacandon language, the
literary traditions of the Lacandones are finally accessible to
English readers. The result is a masterful and authoritative
collection of oral literature that will both entertain and provoke,
while vividly testifying to the power of Lacandon Maya aesthetic
expression.