The Living Maya Program 2
Submitted by sward1 on 06/30/2008 05:21 PM
- Category: History Other
- Words: 479
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The Living Maya Program 2
This film presents the viewer with an insider's perspective to a Yucatan village in Mexico and offers several interesting insights into this modern day peasantry. I found the anthropologists interaction with the Colli Colli family and the complications this brought to his study of their daily lives especially intriguing. I was also intrigued by the Developer's lack of understanding of the Mayan agricultural practices and their disposition with the farming techniques that were being forced onto them by the "Project".
Throughout the film I could see the anthropologist trying to find his angle into obtaining a real insight into their lives. At times he would be placed in situations where he had to make a decision based on his study or his friendship with the family. For example, there are several trips to and from the town where their daughter, Margarita, is being treated. Each trip presents him with the challenge of telling the family that they can not ride in the van because this would not give him a realistic view of what a journey to and from their village is like. Initially he gives the father, I believe his name was Rey, a ride in their van. I could appreciate how at a later time the anthropologist makes a stand and refuses to give them a ride, forcing them to make the journey by their normal means. He seemed to be able to obtain the perspective he needed without offending the family by refusing to drive them.
The Developer student painted a picture that ties to the Peace Corps Volunteer story quite well. The Developer was working an agricultural project for his studies at a University. He was attempting to make the Mayans work an agreage as one team. He had no understanding of the Mayan agricultural practices at that time. The Mayans were accustomed to working their crops in family units. They actually sit down and have a debate over how the land will be worked. Unfortunately, they do not speak the same language. Rey explains...
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