Inside the Maya storyworld
Summary
Host Emily Griffith interviews scholar Mallory E. Matsumoto about her book, *The Maya Myths*. They explore the diverse, non-canonical nature of Maya storytelling, which blends history and myth to connect past and present. The discussion covers creation narratives involving maize people, cyclical views of time, and the reciprocal relationships between humans, gods, and the underworld.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Progressive, Indeed, Toyota, and San Pellegrino
Introduction to Maya identity and linguistic diversity
Defining myths and the concept of mytho-history
Oral traditions, hieroglyphs, and the Popol Vuh
Cosmology, creation stories, and multiple worlds
Cyclical time, destruction, and renewal
Human-animal relationships and reciprocity
Deities, ancestors, and the Hero Twins
Comparing Maya myths to other Mesoamerican traditions
The Battle of El Pinal and Tecumuman's legacy
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