4 Worldviews

Worldview is the attitudes toward the natural world, creativity, and control. The Andeans had four worldviews: collectivity, reciprocity, transformation, and essence.

The first is collectivity which is focusing on the group over the individual. The Andeans main importance was the common good. This was manifested in their art as a general de-emphasis on portraiture. Particular features were not as important as was a person's role. I think that today this is more prevalent in other societies than it is in our own. In Japan if a person succeeds they look first to thank the others that helped. If a student receives an 'A' on a test it is because the teacher had a wonderful lesson plan or the parents helped their child and raised their child well or the student is smart because they attend an excellent school and then they look to themselves. If a student in our society succeeds it it because the student is smart and the student studied. America is a very individualistic culture, very different than the Andeans.

The second is reciprocity. This is their belief that one part is countered and connected to another. They believed that the stars in the sky were connected to life on earth, opposites are interlocked. The Inca showed this through their architecture. Inca architecture sculpts the earth in oppositions of light and shadow.

The third is transformation. I found this worldview to be the most interesting and also very similar to the Maya and Aztecs. They believed in the universe of transformation from one plane of existence to another. LIfe and death were not seen as separate categories but as an aspect of constant natural cycling. Seasons changing, planets moving, planets coming, and planets going. I immediately thought of flowers and blood. When a human gave their blood in sacrifice the gods would be pleased so more food would grow. With death comes life and with life comes death. Everything is beautifully connected and in sync. Andean art served to unite different planes and capture transformations. They had art of Shamans (priests) who metamorphized from humans to animals to supernaturals. Two things as one. I appreciate this worldview because I believe in change and transformation. In our society many people believe in reincarnation which is very similar to this view. Someone or something dying but coming back as something else.

The fourth worldview is the one that ties together all aspects of worldview, essence over appearance. Andean art focussed on symbolic reality and inner core over outward appearance. It was not necessarily important that an image be visible as it was for its essence to be conveyed. Art was created for its own sake not for an audience. They would even put their art in dark places. Essence is about inner quality. I wish this worldview was more prevalent in our culture today. I completely 100% believe in essence over appearance. I feel that essence should be the first focus and appearance always after. Essence is far more important. I believe a beautiful essence is harder for some to attain but once the essence is beautiful, the appearance will be too. My grandma always taught me that you can only be as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside. The essence of everything whether it be a person or something of nature or a piece of art should always be judged before the appearance. Essence over appearance is something every one should live by!

I really enjoyed reading these pages. I love that everything is connected with each other and with the earth. It is very much its own but it reminded a little bit of Buddhism as well. Each worldview is equally as important, they are very simple but very deep as well :)

Blog #3

This is the mask of Quetzalcoatl "the feathered serpent" or the Rain God Tlaloc. Both dieties are associated with serpents. This mask has two serpents, one in green turquoise and one in blue, that twist across the face and around the eyes, blending over the nose. The teeth are made out of shell. I think the Aztec masks represent the complex culture of the Aztec Empire. Most masks were made for display and not to be worn but they were sometimes worn during sacrifice ceremonies. In that case, the masks represent the Gods and symbolized death. This particular mask is my favorite because it is very beautiful. The emotion it evokes can be excitement or fear. I find it to be exciting because it can be interpreted in so many different ways. It is a little fearful because it does symbolize death, however the Aztecs did not fear death, they embraced it. I think the mask is a beautiful key to the Aztec culture, we see their devotion to art and their art style, the Aztec's often used turquoise. We are also able to see how they viewed their Gods. And their art incorporates specific symbols, like the serpent which symbolizes power. This mask gives the feeling of power, it appears very strong. I think it's really unique that every part of the mask means something. These masks were used as tribute to their very important Gods. In today's society, people wear masks in a different way. Wearing a mask can hide a person's real personality and real intentions. People also use masks to hide their insecurities. Masks can be used to hide imperfections, like how women use make-up. Today people wear masks as a part of a costume in order to appear like someone else. Masks are interesting and people definitely still wear them today, I just don't think they are as beautiful as the Aztec masks!

Assignment Two

I have studied the Mayan before but I had only learned about the ancient Maya culture. I was so shocked to learn about the Maya today and the problems they face. Learning about their ancient culture I was so impressed and I just can't believe that such an unique culture is not respected more. We hold their achievements high, people believe the world is going to end because of the Maya calendar (even though that is not correct) the point is that people seem to believe in what the Mayan believed in if they are really concerned about their calendar. The Mayan history is one that many seek to understand. We know that they were brilliant and we appreciate their artwork among many other things as well. I don't understand how such a beautiful culture can be discriminated against for their race, for being "Indian". How can they be looked at as inferior after their many accomplishments? It doesn't make sense to me that the ancient Mayan artists are considered extraordinary and their art as sacred, important, and prestigious. While todays Mayan artists may not even be recognized as an artist at all and their art is viewed as primitive. I think it is highly respectable that despite the efforts to oppress the Maya, they have continued to hold on to their way of life. Women still wear loose hand-woven or embroidered blouses with distinctive patterns and colors for each community, their clothing is beautiful!!!! But despite their many accomplishments and despite the many things we can admire about their culture, the Maya are the people today who have the least voice, the least power, and the least access to basic social amenities like elementary education and basic health care. Stories about the racism toward Maya people today are not hard to find.

In the 1850's the population of Belize doubled with immigration and wood cutting companies welcomed the Maya as cheap and reliable labor but they took legal steps to dispossess the Maya of their land in order to prevent the Maya from establishing themselves as "land-owning".

The British categorized the Mayan as "aliens" and the Mayan existence was basically denied. No attempt was made to count the Maya and the 1861 census lumped all the Maya together as immigrants.

The story of the 45 unarmed Maya people vs. the 50 to 60 very armed paramilitary, makes me so sad. How can a culture that is so unique and so special be treated so badly? Rigoberta Menchu was said to be not telling the truth about her experiences, why can't we admire her and see her as an inspiration for her attempt to open the eyes for many and to be a positive representative for her community. Instead we are so quick to judge her.

Ancient Maya culture is one of my favorites to learn about. Their art, architecture, and their strong beliefs are very enlightening. What is the difference between the Mayan then and the Mayan now? They are the same people. They were smart then ( very ahead of Europe) and they are still smart now.

Assignment One

I have only been to Mexico one time and I was only about 7. I went with my family to Cabo San Lucas. Although I am pretty sure that Cabo San Lucas is a tourist place, there was a few things there that would make me think of Mexico. The Mexican clothing is very distinct and very beautiful. I remember buying a white dress with embroidered colored flowers all over. I also remember the huge Mexican blankets being for sale all around. I have been taking Spanish since high school so of course when I think of Mexico I think of their language. I also think about their history, like someone else mentioned, Day of the Dead. I also recently learned about El Dia de Amor which is Valentines Day. I think Mexico has such a unique culture and I have really enjoyed learning what I have. I would really love to visit more places in Mexico, less of a tourist destination so I can get a better taste of their lifestyle.

I have never been to Guatemala but my best friend in 2nd grade from Guatemalan. I know that Guatemala in the Maya-toltec language means "land of trees". I believe that Guatemala is known for their vegetables and fruit. They export coffee, sugar, bananas, and cotton. The staples there are tortillas, black beans, rice, and wheat and the people with more money also eat chicken, pork, and beef. The areas near bodies of water eat fish as well. The Spanish went on several expeditions to Guatemala beginning in 1519 and the Spanish contact resulted in an epidemic that devastated the native populations. Guatemala officially became independent from Spain on September 15, 1821.

I have actually never really learned anything about Honduras and have never been there or known anybody from there. I looked up Honduras online so that I could learn a few things. I learned that the name means "depths" and this name came from Christopher Columbus on his 4th voyage because of the deep waters. The major ethnic group there is the Chorti. Spanish is the major language spoken there and has been widely spoken in Honduras for 200 years. The houses in the cities are a lot like ours here, made of bricks and cement. In the countryside each ethnic group has a different architectural style. The poorer homes are made of local materials like adobe and clay.

I have only briefly heard of Belize and only as a vacation spot. From pictures I've seen I think it looks really beautiful. I looked up some information on Belize as well. I learned that the ethnic groups there include the Mayans, Mennonites, Kriols, Garifungs, and the Mestizos. While I have studied a little about the Mayans, I have never even heard of the others. The Mayan were the first civilization to spread into the area of Belize between 1500 BC and 300 AD and they flourished until about 1200. The official language of Belize is English although Spanish is commonly used and native languages are still spoken as well.

After being asked this question, I realized that I don't know much about other countries, especially these ones specifically. I hope to learn more from this class!