Mayan Chief Annoyed

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33261483/ns/technology_and_science-science/


An elderly Indian man is seated on a rocky patch of earth; behind him is a blurred but clearly vegetated stretch of land. He is dressed, for the most part, in western style clothing, but the scarf hanging between his legs seems to be something distinctive to his culture. Near him is a pile of different cloths; maybe he has been carrying them a great distance and is looking to take a restful break on his long walk. Nothing about this man is extremely out of the ordinary, but with one look at his face it is apparent he does not look welcoming.

The man is the Mayan elder chief Apolinario Chile Pixtun. His picture appeared in an article that stated his opinion about the world’s prophesized “doomsday”. The expression on his face is a representation of the disgust he feels towards the people who have turned his ancestor’s knowledge and wisdom into a mockery. His belief is the premise of my research paper; the world is not coming to an end, the prophecy of the Mayan’s has simply been misunderstood and made into a profit.

If a person took a quick glance at this picture they may feel slight discomfort at the man’s unwelcoming glare. Other emotions that could stem would be an awkward agitation as the viewer may unconsciously think they have done nothing to deserve such a stare. It is always important to take into account what may attribute to a person’s behavior.

In the case of this picture Apolinario is justified in his behavior because he is tired of being asked by foreigners if the world is truly ending. The stance he is in seated on the ground represents his weariness toward the question. Even while he is seated on the ground he gives off a posture that shows he is in a position of power and knowledge. His knowledge would benefit many who took the time to understand where he is coming from.

Knowledge is passed through the generations; Apolinario is a great example as he has taken the time to understand the traditions and teachings of his ancestors. The Mayan’s believe that a cycle of their calendar is coming to an end in 2012, but this ending is the “Age of Enlightment”. The change made at the end of the cycle is in the hands of the people on earth who can turn it into something positive or negative. The fear of the world’s ending is not founded by Mayan beliefs or present day Mayan’s; it is only manipulated to support modern day media frenzy profit idea.