Marquitta Johnson

Kathryne Wiseman

November 19, 2009

ENGL 208

Native America and Europe in the New World

            The Mayan faith was one that was focused more on mythology more so than a specific religion. They relied on a number of different gods and goddesses to guide their lives and daily decisions, and also adhered to a number of rituals in an effort to connect with the gods. The Vision Serpent is considered one of the most important figures in Mayan mythology. It is thought to be the medium between the spiritual and physical worlds (“Mayan Mythology”). The shedding of the serpent’s skin is thought to represent rebirth and renewal. The Mayans also relied on bloodletting rituals to connect with their “higher powers” because the shedding of their blood was thought to induce hallucinating effects that connected them to the gods. Along with the Vision Serpent, they also relied on a number of other gods, including Ixchel, who was the goddess of fertility and childbirth, and her husband Itzamna, who was believed to have provided Mayans with life’s basic necessities.

            Native American women played traditional roles within their homes and communities. They were responsible for bearing and raising children, cooking, cleaning, and providing basic necessities for their households. Women were also important within the marketplace. They wove textiles that were not only important for themselves and their families, but also sold them in the marketplace to generate money for their families (McGuiness).

            Native American government was a hereditary absolute monarchy. Many times, a king would wear many hats, including being king, priest, and sometimes ever warrior. No one in a position of power was paid for his/her role in government during the time; however, they were still responsible for the well-being of the people in their district(Mayan).

            The major enemies to the Native Americans were largely the Europeans. Although Native Americans inhabited the lands first, Europeans came over and took everything that the Native Americans worked for. Not only did they take away their land, but they also tortured them and took away their lives. Europeans also brought a number of diseases with them, which inevitably affected the Native Americans(“The Native Americans’ Fate in the New World”).

            During the development of the New World, only the lands of South and Central America had been discovered. There was not yet any knowledge of North America, nor was there knowledge of Antarctica.

            Native Americans were the first students in European schools in the Americas. Religious education was used as a tool of conquest, as the Europeans were determined to teach Christianity to Native Americans. The Spanish and French also established mission schools and converted the natives to Roman Catholicism.

            The four specific social classes of the period included the espanoles (people of “pure Spanish blood”), creoles(people of “pure Spanish blood” born in the Americas), mestizos(people of both Spanish and South American ancestry), and Indians(pure Native Americans).

            Written culture was often left in the hands of the church. Juan de la Cruz wrote memorable poetry and philosophical. Pre-Columbian literary forms and genres were primarily oral. The oral accounts of mythological and religious beliefs were sometimes recorded after European settlers arrived. The tradition of oral narrative survives to this day, namely among the Quechua population in Peru and the Quiche in Guatemala.

            Mayan art was composed of delineation and paintings upon paper and plaster, carvings on wood and stone, and clay and stucco models. One of the most common Mayan art themes painted on vases is the royal audience. They also made bold attempts with sculptures as well. The facades of the edifices were covered with intricate designs cut in high relief upon the stones.  “All of the intricate details of the sculptures were done without metal tools, as they did not even have bronze chisels, which were familiar to the Aztecs at the time” (“Mayan Art”).

            Mayans seemed to excel most at the art of architecture. The splendid ruins of temples, pyramids, and great cities - some of which were intact and occupied at the time of the conquest - scattered by scores and hundreds throughout the forests of Yucatan, have been the wonder and admiration of travelers for over half a century. Architecture of the time was dominated by Spanish colonial style. It was marked by a contrast between simple, solid construction by the new demand and the older Baroque ornamentation exported from Spain. From the late 1600’s- 1750’s, one of Mexico’s most popular styles was Mexican Churriqueresque (ultra Baroque and extravagant).

Works Cited

“Mayan Art.” Lost Civilizations. N.p., 2009. Web. 18 Nov. 2009. <http://www.lost-civilizations.net/‌mayan-art.html>.

"Mayan Mythology." Mayan Mythology:Gods and Goddesses. 19-11-2009. Web. 19 Nov 2009. <http://www.crystalinks.com/mayanmythology.html>.

McGuiness, Tim. "Pre-Columbian Women:The Role of Women in Pre-Columbian America." Pre-Columbian Women. 19-11-2009. McGuiness Publishing, Web. 19 Nov 2009. <http://www.precolumbianwomen.com/>.

Minster, Christopher. “Latin American History: Introduction to the Colonial Era.” About.com. N.p., 2009. Web. 18 Nov. 2009. <http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/‌od/‌coloniallatinamerica/‌p/‌colonialera.htm>.

"The Native Americans' Fate in the New World." Bukisa. 16-02-2009. Web. 19 Nov 2009. <http://www.bukisa.com/articles/33744_the-native-americans-fate-in-the-new-world>.

Schoenherr, Steven. “Maps of Early Colonial America.” Map List. History Department at the University of San Diego, 4 Mar. 2004. Web. 18 Nov. 2009. <http://history.sandiego.edu/‌gen/‌maps/‌list-1500s.html>.