Help preserve Maya Tradition
for the future of our planet
A message from Aluna Joy and Mision Maya Wajshakib Batz

It is a time on the planet where ancient traditions are fading quick. One courageous man comes to mind over all other I have met. This man has a impassioned vision to maintain and reestablish the Maya culture not only for the young descendants of the Ancient Maya but for the entire world. This is Rigoberto Itzep of Momostenango, Guatemala.

Rigo knows that the Maya traditions that have been passed down to him, will soon be in the hands of the children. His vision is to build a school where children can come and learn about their noble ancestry. I urge you to help Rigoberto and his vision any way you can. Read Rigoberto’s vision statement below. Look and the wonderful photos and then send prayers and monetary support. Even a little cash goes a long way in Guatemala.


Rigoberto Itzep and his beautiful wife Maria and his children


Mision Maya Wajshakib Batz
[Mayan Mission 8 Thread]

is led by the eminent spiritual guide Don Rigoberto Itzep Chanchavac and his family. [Mayan priests and day-keepers are refered to as "spiritual guides" in Guatemala] It sets forth the following objectives:

1. Develop Mayan education for the children of Mayan spiritual guides

2. Study K'iché Mayan Cosmovision in depth with its rules and laws

3. Give lectures on Mayan culture

4. Promote intercultural exchanges

HISTORY

The Mayan school has been developing in my home since 1997. The goal of this school is to raise the awareness of children and youth in regard to the con- tents of Mayan Cosmovision. Instruction consists of Sunday classes from 9AM to 11AM beginning Feb 15th on the Mayan Calendar date "belejeb k'anil" [9 Seed] and ending in mid-November. Classes are held at Mision Maya headquarters and deal with the following topics: ancestral dances, music,ancestral medicine, handicrafts, etc. My main concern, above all, is the environment, ecology, the flora and fauna. I designed this program, along with the participating children and youth, for the purpose of generating these values and principles in the consciousness of future generations. My activity is well defined and thoroughly based on the principles of Mayan culture. For this reason, with my heart in my hand, I am asking economic support in the form of voluntary donations.

JUSTIFICATIONS [for creating a new school]

As my school is being developed in my home in a very limited space, I'm looking for a large lot to build a new school. There are a number of lots available for sale here, but the prices are beyond our means. I need a lot large enough for the children to study dances[ancestral Mayan dances] and so I'm asking support for this reason. At the same time, I have a plan to create a secondary school at the "educación básica" level [8th,9th and 10th grade] for the children of those same spiritual guides that would make Mayan values a priority. All the official schools in Momostenango have the goal of removing cultural values from the consciousness of children and youth; for these very reasons we are planning to create the new school and purchase a large lot.

Here is a list of the subjects and program content of the current school:

1. Reading and Writing the K'iché Mayan Language

2. Mayan Calendar

3. Math, Numbers and Colors in K'iché

4. Mayan History

5. Mayan Art

6. Spirituality, Cosmovision, Mythology

These are the subjects of the school's first four year stage of study.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

See the photos from the year 2002 below. The current school will take on a more formal structure by the year 2005. One group of children is finishing a four year stage of study with other groups following and we hope that by the year 2006 we are already teaching in the new school. This is the brief history of my activity. A thousand thanks for listening to me!

Sincerely,
Rigberto Itzep and family



Children dancing at Tikal, ancient ancestral ritual dances / prayers.


Mayan Fire ceremony


Dancing under a huge snake costume, performing a very ancient ritual dance "The dance of the serpent" This dance/ancient ritual was depicted in Codices and ancient sculpture.


Rigo is teaching students about sacred ceremony and how to pray in this manner.


Students sitting in a circle on straw mats during a class on Mayan spiritual traditions and the calendar.
This manner of sitting on straw mats in a circle for a class, meeting, conference, etc. is an ancient Mayan tradition.
(Pop means straw mat as you probably know).

Rigoberto can be reached at these addresses...

TAKILIBEN MAYA WAJSHAKIB BATZ
(MISION MAYA WAJSHAKIB BATZ)
3a Av. "A" 6-85, Zona 3
Momostenango, Totoniapán
GUATEMALA Tel:502-736-5537
wajshakibbatz13@yahoo.es


MAKE DONATIONS
To insure MISION MAYA WAJSHAKIB BATZ
receives your contributions send donatation as follows...

Make out personal or Cashier's checks to
"Rigoberto Itzep Chanchavac"

Mail checks to:
Roger Aldridge
4205 Gelding Lane
Olney, MD 20832 USA

You can write Roger at nancyandrog@verizon.net if you have any questions about donations.
Please include your email address in a note along with your check.
Roger will let you know when Rigoberto receives the money.
Temple of the Deer is the originator of this fundraising project and Roger Aldridge is a Temple initiate.
Acknowledgement...
Mision Maya would like to acknowledge and express thanks to the Temple of the Deer for their generous support.
Many thanks to the kind brothers of the Temple of the Deer who are helping to support this Mayan school.