Lesson 10
The Geographic Setting
Adaptation: A change in a way of life to suit new conditions.
Indigenous Peoples: Natives of an area who have been conquered or dominated by others who came later.
Subsistence Farming: Farming carried out mainly to provide food for farm families, with little surplus for sale to others.
Traditional Culture: Customs and ways of life handed down from ancestors.
Ethnic Group: A group of people in a country who share a unique culture and identity.
The Traditional Home and Families
Landscape: A large area with a particular kind of scenery, such as a desert landscape.
Geography of Mesoamerica
Lowland: An area of land that is flatter or lower than nearby areas.
A Strong Sense of Community
Local Government:
Dry Plateau: A raised area of land, such as a hill or mountain, with a flat top.
Drought: An unusually long period in which little or no rain falls.
Cloud Forest: A type of high-altitude, tropical forest that is usually covered by clouds or mist.
Volcano: A break in Earth’s crust where magma and other material erupts from Earth’s interior.
Meeting Community Challenges:
Most villages have a mayor
A traditional Mayan counsel (follows Mayan customs).
Important religious brotherhoods
Cofradias (Guatemala)
Cargos (Chiapas)
Justice System:
Punishment (Restitution)
Labor
Community Service
Murderers would be handed over to the national courts
No education
No jobs
No good health care
Adobe: A type of brick that is made of clay mixed with straw and dried in the sun.
Old:
New:
Has little furniture
The floors are made of dirt (Earth)
Hammocks to sleep
Have running water
Include radio or TV
Cooking utensils
Women's role
Men's role
Work in fields and occasionally hunt
Take care of children and work in the home
Make clothes and cook
Children
Quit school to help at home
Learn traditional skills and customs
Changing Ways of Work
Plantation: A large farm, especially in a hot area.
Slash-and-Burn Method: A way of clearing land for farming that involves cutting down and burning trees and other plants.
Migrant Worker: A person who moves regularly in order to find work, especially in harvesting crops.
Making the Most of Market Day
Barter: Conducting trade by exchanging goods or services instead of money.
Can trade goods and services (foods, shoe shining, etc.)
Many tourists come and enjoy the things that are made for them (hats, purses, etc.)
Keeping Mayan Traditions Alive
Religions and Celebrations
Medicine
Healers use natural substances (plants) to treat injuries.
Skilled healers are called "daykeepers" and hold rituals to uphold peace between the Gods and people.
Ritual: A set of actions performed as part of a ceremony.
Mayans blend Christianity and their own religion.
Mayans celebrate many Christian holidays (Christmas, Easter) as well as their own.
At celebrations, women wear woven blouses (huipilles) as well as skirts and headdresses and men may also wear traditional clothing.