The Center for Shamanic Education and Exchange is excited to share an article from Denise Barrios, founder and board member of Saq’ Be’ that is supporting an apprenticeship program in the highlands of Guatemala.
Introduction by JoDee Powers, Director of Operations Saq’ Be’ is an organization for Mayan and Indigenous spiritual studies that was formed at the request of Mayan elders in Guatemala. Saq’ Be’s mission is to respectfully facilitate the integration of the knowledge and wisdom of ancient lineages into the modern world while supporting those that maintain the living traditions in their homelands in the highlands of Guatemala. CSEE is funding Saq’ Be’s newly launched apprenticeship program that is pairing youth with community elders to learn ancestral wisdom, which includes recording of songs, documenting the Maya language as well as filming elders while they are teaching.
Saq’ Be’ founders, Denise Barrios and Adam Rubel, have been supporters of the Maya cosmogony, understanding of the Maya calendars including the sacred Cholq’ij, and the journey that has enabled these lineages to remain vital up to this current day. In partnership with The Center for Shamanic Education and Exchange, Saq’ Be’ has launched an apprenticeship program that is intended to nourish the lineages within communities, developing the next generation of wisdom keepers. The following article is an update about the progress of this apprenticeship and the involvement of their youth, written by Denise Barrios, Saq’ Be’ board member.
Preserving Sacred Ancestral Wisdom, by Denise Barrios, Saq’ Be’ Board Member
Generational Wisdom Across generations, the sacred ancestral wisdom has been passed from elders to the younger members of the community. In Maya tradition,
families hold their Elders in profound reverence, recognizing the depth of experience and knowledge they carry. Through storytelling, coexistence, and observation, the elders impart invaluable teachings, nurturing the seeds of heritage that will flourish in the generations to come and which have allowed the Maya to preserve their ancestral wisdom until today.
Yet, amidst the influence of Western society and its rush of activity, some threads of this ancient wisdom have weakened. The attraction to social media and new technologies has distracted us, steering us away from the ways of our ancestors. Thus, we are called to embark on a journey to reclaim the narratives of our ancestors, of our roots.
We believed that through technology, we could tread back to the path laid by our ancestors by igniting the curiosity of the young, using a language they understand to awaken in them the interest to delve into the rich cultural heritage of their lineage and perceive its value. It was through this approach that the Apprenticeship Program was created. In this program, five young men and women gather with five Elders over a year, using oral tradition and storytelling to record the Elder’s wisdom, thereby learning from them as they document their wisdom and record it for their communities and for generations to come.
Launching the Apprenticeship Program Three months ago, our journey began with a gathering of the young women and men who came from their communities to meet Yutzil Pablo, our project manager, and each other. At this event, they received the tools and equipment needed for the year ahead. They also had the chance to learn from a professional filmmaker and an anthropologist, gaining insights on how to capture not just images, but the essence of the teachings.
After the gathering, they returned to their communities to start meeting with their elders. For the past three months, they have worked together, documenting and absorbing the wisdom shared with them. Ch’umilkaj Currichiche Nicho, who is working with Nan Leona Moxo, a 94-year-old Grandmother, told us that her teachings go beyond the gift of healing touch and massage as a “sobadora.” Nan Leona’s storytelling weaves her healing wisdom with the stories of past generations, enhancing the depth and richness of her teachings.
During the program, Tat Gilberto Chayax fell ill. The financial support he receives as a donation for his dedication to sharing and documenting has been invaluable to him during this challenging time. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to record his wisdom. Tat Carlos Tun, is very excited as he shares his deep wisdom about the obsidian stone with Angelina Moral Ican, guiding her through Maya Cosmovision and Ceremony while expanding her understanding of ancient traditions.
Meanwhile, with Miguel Pablo, Tat Manuel passes down the ancient knowledge of the five sacred flute sounds. What’s truly special is that he sometimes brings his granddaughter along to help him, breaking the mold of traditional gender roles, as flute was only played by men. Elders Domingo Gómez, Mateo Sancho, and Sebastián Pérez, bearers of the last remaining “sones” for sacred dances, pass down their wisdom to Gabriel Nicolas, an apprentice with a deep interest for ancestral ceremonial music and dances.
Continuing the Thread Now that they have all established meaningful connections with their elders, Yutzil Pablo, overseeing the project, will personally visit each elder-apprentice pair in their respective communities to observe their progress. We, at CSEE and Saq’ Be’, extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you who has donated and made this program possible. Your support has been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for your generosity. Infinite gratitude from all of us involved in this journey.
