Overview. This week we have the opportunity to engage in a collective
construction of a conceptual map of Xibalba (the Maya otherworld). Each
team will be responsible for constructing a conceptual map of Xibalba and
orally explaining it to the class.
So What is a Conceptual Map? This is a question I'm going to answer
in more detail with plenty of examples in lecture. A conceptual map, broadly
defined, is any representation of relationships between people and place.
We'll see that in Native American traditions one frequently finds chronological,
astronomical and cosmological representations in concert with that of people
and place. In fact, in the Popol Vuh you will see that connections
between people and place inevitably involve the cosmos. For the purposes
of this assignment I would like to encourage you to think broadly about
possible media you might employ. In lecture I'll discuss numerous Native
traditions that go well beyond inscriptions on a piece of paper. You can
adopt any of the media I discuss, show to the class, or have linked to
the syllabus. I'm also open to innovative media as long as they represent
geographical relationships between living and dead people.
Resources and schedule: I will lecture on Native American map making
traditions with a special emphasis on Mesoamerican concepts of spatial
relationships between people, land, water, and the underworld. This information
can serve as a guide for how to construct a conceptual map. We will also
see a slide show and video of the Maya world and selected archaeological
sites. You will get to see a spectacular animated version of the Popol
Vuh. The animation draws upon a rich iconographic tradition drawn on
Classic Maya ceramics. The video will introduce you to Maya aesthetic representations
of Xibalba and the characters in the Popol Vuh. You will also find
links to a summary of and selections from the Popol Vuh under the
reading section of the syllabus for this week. Under the browsing section
of the syllabus for this week you'll find links to some virtual tours of
Maya archaeological sites, museum collections of Maya ceramics, and contemporary
Maya art. On Monday, July 30, we will have the opportunity to work
on these projects in class. The conceptual maps and an oral description
of them are due in class on Wednesday, Aug 1.