"Men of Maize" is a novel written in 1949 by a Guatamalan author who based many parts of it on traditional Mayan mythology. Probably most prominently, the Popol Vuh or Mayan creation story, influenced the novel through its connection to maize. In Popol Vuh creation mythology, the final version of humanity was constructed by the gods with maize. Asturias, the author of "Men of Maize", connected man to natural elements in a pyramid that included...
"Men of Maize" is a novel written in 1949 by a Guatamalan author who based many parts of it on traditional Mayan mythology. Probably most prominently, the Popol Vuh or Mayan creation story, influenced the novel through its connection to maize. In Popol Vuh creation mythology, the final version of humanity was constructed by the gods with maize. Asturias, the author of "Men of Maize", connected man to natural elements in a pyramid that included corn, or maize.
The term Men of Maize in the novel refers to an isolated Indian community that several leaders attempt to save from exploitation due to outsiders attempting to take over the harvest of the maize. Not only does the importance of maize in Popol Vuh influence the novel but also that of nahualism, or the ability to change oneself into the form of a guardian animal. This plays an important role in both Mayan legend of Popol Vuh and in Men of Maize. In both, animals are part of the genealogy of man and their spirits play a vital role in daily life and the events that happen day to day.
The novel "Men of Maize", similarly to Popol Vuh, is told in parts or mini tales that are connected and create a bigger story or myth that explains the creation of humanity, its trials and tribulations. Maize and animal connections are the thread running through both the Mayan creation myth and the novel. It is maize, eternally connected to man, that weaves throughout the both, tying together the various animal and human tales. This is traditional in Mayan myths and a clear influence on the novel "Men of Maize."
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