Popol Vuh Sparknotes

The Mayan civilization is among one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The Mayans have covered a large area of eastern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Much of what we currently know about the Pre-Historic Maya has come from excavation in these countries and of the few books that survived, the Spanish conquistadors. These Books are The Madrid, Dresden, Paris and Grolier codices are named after the city which they currently resided in. Then there is the Chiliam Balam of the Yucatan Mayas, and the Popol Vuh. The Popol Vuh which is seen by many as the only real account of religion, my many as the only real account of Mayan religion, myths and stories. The Popol Vuh was written by the Quiche Mayans of the highlands of Guatemala. The Popol Vuh has a complicated history, often disappearing of decades at a time. The Popol Vuh is the most influential book in The Mayan culture and has been a fundamental source in the lives of pre-historic Mayans. In 1524 the conquistador Pedro De Alvarado, conquered the Quiche capital of Cumarach . Alvarado made allies with nearby enemies of the Quiche, the Kaqchikels. In …show more content…
It is often referred to as the book of council, the sacred book. The book of the people or the book of community. The Popol Vuh in Mayan culture is considered sacred to this day. There are alters dedicated to Mayan book in Mayan homes. It is believe that when one reads the words written by ancient Mayans, a person is living in the spirit of that ancestor. The Popol Vuh primarily used by Mayans day keepers or priest and visual aids when performing cerminonies. The Popol vuh breaks down into 5 major parts. The story of creation, the second and third parts are the adventures of the Hero Twins. The last two parts are of creating humans from corn. Then the Popol Vuh tells the story of the Quiche, from the days before their history began to accounts of tribal wars and records of rulers up until