Musicians rap in ancient Mayan language

(21 Feb 2015) A group of Guatemalan musicians are on a mission to breathe life into Mayan heritage and language through hip-hop.
Calling themselves Balam Ajpu, which means Jaguar Warrior or Warrior of Light, they rap in Spanish and the ancient Mayan Tz'utujil language, hoping to appeal to young people and teach them about their ancestors' history.
Balam Ajpu recently held a ceremony in a sacred place on the slopes of the San Pedro volcano to give thanks for their new album with offerings of corn, alcohol, incense and flowers.
Rene Dionisio, who uses the stage name Tz'utu Baktun Kan, explained how the group were blending hip hop with the ancient Mayan world view for the new generation.
Dionisio said that although most might not understand the content of the lyrics because they are in a Mayan language, people can "feel its force, feel the power of the words that come from the spiritual guide".
The lyrics for their music come from a young Mayan priest named Venancio Morales, who serves as the group's spiritual guide.
Three years in the making, the album's songs pay tribute to each of Guatemala's 22 provinces plus Mexico's Chiapas and Yucatan states, encompassing the region where the Mayan civilisation hit its apex around A.D. 250 to 950.
About 41 percent of Guatemala's population is indigenous, according to official numbers, though some groups estimate the true figure to be at least 60 percent.
Some 22 Mayan tongues are spoken in the country.


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