Maize was all around us during our time in Guatemala; it was sustenance, art, and life itself. While there is plenty to discuss regarding the variety of corn eaten, the meanings of the different colors of corn in a Maya religious context, and the economics throughout time related to growing corn crops, I would like to reflect on the community aspect of corn.
Taken by Caitlin Jones at Casa K’ojom. Image depicts a mannequin made of maize holding a pre-colonial Maya instrument. The mannequin is meant to be a Maya person. May 2022.
Corn as a crop is not grown alone historically; it is grown with squash and beans. In my mind, corn acts as a supporter of life in this way. With its growth, it also brings more growth. From a Maya spiritual standpoint, corn is birth, death, and the continuous cycling of regeneration. The name Maya means ‘people of the corn’ and comes from the creation story that Maya people were molded into humans through the use of maize.
Reliable, constant, and versatile, corn is still the perfect staple food. Tortillas are served with every meal, bringing families together to share a home-cooked meal. Mothers teach daughters how to grind corn on a metate. Walking down the street, the central church of most towns will have a vendor selling tamales. Corn is unifying to Maya people because it is who they are, but it is also a part of the day-to-day routine and relationship building.
During this program, we learned a lot about the changes that occurred amongst the Maya people through centuries of being in Guatemala, but one continuity that remains is corn. To all the people who made us tortillas, tamales, and a variety of other corn-based products. I thank you for giving me a moment of life.