I just finished reading a book lent to me by a friend called "I, Rigoberta Menchu: An Indian Woman in Guatemala." This is the story of the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Rigoberta Menchu. She grew up a very poor peasant Mayan woman in the mountains of Guatemala. Although she never went to school, she is a woman of great intelligence, understanding, and leadership. She fought for equality for her people in Guatemala and because of her, her land is now more safe and her people are treated more fairly. She is truly an inspiring person. This book is simply a transcribed oral story. Rigoberta met up with a Latin anthropologist to tell her story. This anthropologist Elisabeth Burgos-Debray, recorded all that Rigoberta said and transcribed for us into a coherent, well-informed book. For all you out there interested in learning a bit about Mayan culture in Guatemala or social activists around the world or about strong women in a macho society, I reccomend this book for so many reasons. Maybe I'll just make a list of interesting things about this story:
1. The first half of the book gives a first hand account of the day-to-day life of Rigoberta and her village. Traditions are explained and one really gets a sense of what life was like for Maya living in Guatemala.
2. Rigoberta gives honest insight into the minds of her people. She explains the complicated mindset toward white people and tourists and really shows what influences those opinions.
3. Rigoberta gives first hand accounts of the pain and struggle that her village and many other village faced each day. Maya were really at the hands of the landowners who cheated them out of their own land then made them work it for next to nothing in wages.
4. I learned that many Maya end up working for and on the side of landowners out of desperation, abandoning their own people. Unfortunately, their jobs for the landowners usually end up being going into the villages and raping, killing, and stealing.
5. Rigoberta became a social activist and we are able to see how she became passionate and driven to her cause. We see what she and others had to do in order to prepare to become leaders for social change. We get a sense of what it takes to really make a change in a culture and community. Rigoberta encouraged and led many peaceful revolts against the government and the landowners.
6. Many Maya willingingly died for their cause. The commitment that they exhibited is awe-inspiring.
7. After reading this book, you'll begin to see, if you haven't already seen, the other side of the picture for many situations in our own country. There are always two sides to a coin.
8. The mystery and awe of the Maya is never explained away as she won't tell the Mayan secrets (whatever that may be). They believe that in order to truly preserve their culture, they must not give everything away to outsiders. Though that is probably frustrating to anthropologists, other Guatemalans, and curious tourists, it is so important in order to avoid complete exploitation from nonMayans. As much as I want to know, I understand that I should not.
9. We see violence on the news in far away lands. Here is a story about a woman you get to know through her story, a real woman. Unlike the news, it is impossible to numb yourself to her pain (unless you are just heartless!)
10. This is not a well-crafted novel. This is someone talking into a recorder for hours on end. Some of the story is repititive for this reason (who doesn't repeat themselves when telling a long story), but her voice is heard throughout the entire book. It is almost like you are sitting there while she is speaking to you. What an amazing woman!
If you aren't convinced to read this book by now, then I guess it really isn't for you. I, personally, find it a useful tool as I venture into Mayan culture myself, not as a tourist but as a family member.
After reading this book, I learned that a typical Mayan family is very different from a typical American family. For one, I get the sense that life is more communal. Children are expected to participate in the day-to-day work from an early age. I just hope and pray that I don't offend anyone too badly! A sense of understanding will be crucial on both ends. My family has hosted 5 exchange students in the past, so I am looking forward to being on the opposite end of that experience (as the "student" not the host). I know those experiences will help me as I enter this new family. And I'm sure that by the end, I'll have a huge appreciation and understanding for all those students who left home to enter a bizarre world with a new family with new customs and expectations. Boy, I hope we were never too hard on them!
