Andean worldview

Andean worldview is composed by four important concepts; reciprocity, collectivity, transformation and essence. Each of these concepts describe the Andeans beliefs as a whole, as an individual and as ancestors. Reciprocity is viewed as one part is countered by and connected to another. Incas and Andeans beleived everything has a complementary half; mirrored images, pairing, opposites interlocked are a few examples, this type of thinking is also viewed as dualistic. Andeans believed in a system of give and take and the need of balance in their societies and as individuals. Reciprocity is very apparent in Andean art especially ancient textiles, a common art of the Chancay culture. Not only is it seen in their art but was used as an orginizational tool to form societies.
When a group takes precedence over the individual this is viewed as collectivity. Collectivity was a huge role in how the Andean cultures dealt with control and only a few had true control of the masses. In the world of art collectivity was the focus on the image and not the individual artist. Andean art was not all generic but can be viewed in a highly sophisticated outlook.
Is Life the start and death is the end? Andeans and our native ancestors believed there was no end but only transformation from one plane to another. It is a constant natural cycle, progressing but constantly repeating itself. The transformation tenet of worldview comes full circle with stories of shamans displayed in transformation in their works art. Not only are these important roles in the lives of Andean cultures but it was difficult to illustrate two things as one.
Inner core was favored over outward appearance and connected all the tenets together referring to the "essence over appearance". These pieces of art where structured to make the viewer think hard about what the meaning behind it was. Andean artists worked to create the essence in the artwork not just to see it. These images were create for the afterworld, the supernatural realm,et., its sole purpose was to fullfill the artists needs spiritually.

The Andeans beliefs on the "essence over appearance", is a ritual that has been forgotten
in our present day. I feel our world today moves to quickly and we don't take the time to notice or use the concept of "essence over appearance" it is unfortunate that we have lost such a precious past time. Our lives are so structured to obtain What? Not the journey you take but the outcome. Andeans and our native ancestors may not have been as educated as we are today but I feel they took their spiritual and purpose to a higher level than our societies today. We will probably never encounter or understand its value in our lifetime.

Aztecs Masks

I found the mask of Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc to almost be innocent looking. It has a child like look to it and brings a sense of play fullness. The eyes and mouth are very expressive and you can almost hear the laughter filtering out of the masks mouth. The mosaic is also placed in a child like manner not uniformed by color or by structure but by feel, it is placed with no uniform or pattern. I understand these dieties were not innocent and unfortunately many lives where lost for the sole purpose to appease them. Interesting fact that may help to understand the feeling of the mask being child like, is the god Tlaloc preferred young children for his sacrifice.

Maya today

I found the article on "The Maya Today" very interesting due to the rituals and beliefs they still practice as their ancestors did. This has not been easy for the Maya's they have overcome many obstacles and still to this day have More to overcome. I love the fact they still weave there own clothes, grow maize and Shaman keep count with the ancient 260 day calendar. These are just a few traits that have been passed down through the many hundreds of years. I believe These are positive and keep them thriving in difficult times. The Mayans today have to fear the war between the Mexican government on one side and the Zapatistas rebels on the other side. Not only are they being caught between these two enemies at war but there are fundamentalist who are harvesting the great mahoganies in the Rainforest. This act of greed is destroying the Lacandon forest and the Lacandon Mayan community. The Mayan people are a strong and united culture, it shows in their dedication to their ancestor's rituals and beliefs. They are survivors.

Create a blog this week on your experience with Mexico or Guatemala, Belize, Honduras ...meaning have you been there? Are you from there? Whether you have or have not been there...give me three things that come to mind when you think about any of these countries and then explain why  those things remind you of that particular place

I have been to only one place you mention above and that would be Mexico and have mixed feelings regarding this country. I for the most part I have only traveled to tourists destinations, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan,  Rosarito, Carmen De Playa and Cozumel. These destinations are beautiful but yet disturbing for me.

    The first thing that comes to mind is warm weather! Although are weather here in Tahoe has been quite warm for this time of year.

  The second thing that comes to mind is their cultures and their beliefs. Are they the same and how do they differ? I consider them of spanish descent. Are their languages the same and what about hteir myths and stories and how they differ.

The third is poverty and how they must struggle to survive for most of the populations. Things I take for granted like running water, shelter, electricity, clothing, etc. I can go on and on about what I take for granted but you don't understand till you see it or live it. I know my sister visits Honduras every  other year as a nurse to help with vaccinations and medical care. I hear first hand the struggles and how lucky I am to have the things I have.