Cultural Observatory: Casa Belejeb' Kame
Research Center on Decolonization and Ancestral Knowledge
The art of embroidering Mayan clothing. Photo by Henning Sac.
In the Cultural Observatory Casa Belejeb´ Kame, Vida Digna works to revitalize the wisdom shared across the generations. The Observatory hosts researchers who have experiential, scientific, and historical knowledge of Mayan culture.
The Council de Casa Kame consists of ajq’ijab’ (spiritual guides) who manage grants and support cultural research and international collaborations.
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​The Observatory:
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​Fosters the exchange of knowledge and practices among cultural actors;
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Produces systemic analysis of cultural topics and promotes knowledge through the production of educational and artistic materials; and
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Prepares cultural actors to articulate the principles and values of Mayan cosmovision and to strengthen Mayan cultural identity.
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The book Cosmovision and Spirituality: Meditations and Reflections on Mayan Thought (Cosmovisión y Espiritualidad: Meditaciones y reflexiones del pensamiento Maya, Silabario Ediciones, 2016) --- written by the coordinator of the Observatory Carlos Escalante Villagrán --- is the result of community research with elders who are ajq’ijab’ (spiritual guides) on Mayan cosmovision and spiritual practices. The book spans reflections on spiritual cleansing, the path to become a spiritual guide, and preparing for death and internment. Through the book, as with the Observatory's other initiatives, we seek to nurture the next generation of spiritual guides and support youth in learning, valuing, and practicing their Mayan heritage. To read the book, click here.
For more information about ongoing research and for future collaborations, contact us.
Photo by Vida Digna.
Nawal T´zi´: Dog, justice, word. Photo by Henning Sac.
Ongoing activities of the Observatory:
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Meetings on ancestral medicine between spiritual guides and midwives
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Workshops with young people on pre-Colonial history
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Visits to archeological sites such as Q´umarcaaj, Takalik Abaj and Iximche
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Research on Mayan calendars
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Conferences on sexuality in Mayan culture
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Collaborations with groups of Mayan artists
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Development of performances and music based on cosmovision
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Design of Mayan clothing