It gets worse for the Mayans. Not only did the whole world misunderstand their calandar, come and foul up their temple, but their priests were barred from using ceremonial places for the festivities. The ceremonies and festivities centered around the the 13 Baktun – the last cycle of the Mayan calendar, due to end on Friday, December 21, 2012.  Global Voices explains how the Mayans, which make up 42% of the population of Guatemala face heavy racism. Even on a day when the whole world was talking about the Mayans, it was non-indigenous peoples performing the ceremonies.

On stage, non-indigenous peoples were wearing indigenous clothes in a folklore show while non-indigenous attendees from the Guatemalan elites were in the most important ceremonial Mayan center, Tikal, waiting for the new era to arrive. Indigenous peoples were left outside, were they were demonstrating, playing the traditional instrument marimba. . .

Racism is rampant in Guatemala State – institutionally, interpersonally, and structurally.  And it adopts new forms, such as the exclusion reflected in the new Mayan era celebrations. Let’s hope the Mayan priests will be allowed in and celebrate according to their traditions and beliefs in the following days, as the festivities end on December 30 and that their voices and demands are finally heard by the international community.

What a joke.

[Source: The Telegraph, Global Voices]