University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2013 Twentieth Century Maya Worldview Mackenzie See University of Central Florida Part of the Anthropology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. STARS Citation See, Mackenzie, "Twentieth Century Maya Worldview" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 2689. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/2689 TWENTIETH CENTURY MAYA WORLDVIEW by MACKENZIE SEE Bachelor of Arts, University of Pittsburgh 2011 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the department of Anthropology in the College of Science at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2013 Major Professor: Arlen Chase ABSTRACT Maya Folktales offer insight into how twentieth century Maya worldview is a hybrid of indigenous Maya and European beliefs. Analysis was conducted on twenty-eight Maya folktales from the highlands of Guatemala found in folklore anthologies. Stories like The Spirits of the Dead in folklore anthologies can reveal new perspectives on how the Maya feel about rituals spaces, the fabric that separates the land of the dead from the land of the living, and the importance of showing respect to the dead in one’s community. Other stories, show the connection the Maya feel with their heritage and the connection they feel with the area where their ancestors lived.