Las voces de los ch'olti’ hablan al presente

Departing from the work of Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa ‘Hocho’ (Abrirse las orejas / To Open One's' Ears, 2022) this podcast is hosted by the activist and researcher Aura Cumes, who is accompanied by the historian and anthropologist Edgar Esquit, and the economist, poet, creator, musician, and editor Kaypa' Tz'iken. Also taking Fray Francisco Morán’s 1695 Spanish-Ch’olti’ dictionary, Arte y vocabulario de la lengua Ch’olti’ as a reference, this podcast explores the geography and history of the Ch’olti’ community, as well as the process of christianization, colonial violence, genocide, and ethnocide to which this people were subjected together with other Mayan cultures, but also the defense mechanisms and fierce resistance with which they challenged it. This conversation looks into the past, but also defiantly into the present and future of the Mayan communities, in both their cultural-linguistic and political dimensions, with the aim of creating spaces of dialogue for those voices that have been silenced. Contributors : Edgar Esquit & Kaypa' Tz’iken Hosted by Aura Cumes Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa ‘Hocho’(Abrirse las orejas/To Open One's' Ears), 2022 Sound varying durations Field and voice recordings made with the assistance of Ameno Cordova and Stef Arreaga Commissioned by TBA21 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary for TB21 on st_age and supported with extra funds from the Inga Maren Otto Fellowship (The Watermill Center, NY) Image credit: Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa Huertos de los ch’olti (VII), 2021 Watercolor and pencil on paper, series of 21 29.7 x 20.6cm Courtesy of the artist