The Monkey's Haircut

The Maya civilization that was at its zenith from 200 to 800 AD was very advanced. Their mathematics used a zero and they were able to do complex calculations very easily. The Mayans also had a rich tradition of riddles and fables. Unfortunately, most of the stories in this book are of more recent vintage, after the Europeans arrived. Some of the last ones deal with the birth of Jesus in a stable and how the animals helped him to survive. Many of the stories deal with the interaction of man with nature. Growing crops and talking to the animals are common themes, although the Mayan gods make occasional appearances. The stories are interesting and reveal a great deal about the Mayan culture, not only what it was but also how it was changed after contact with the Europeans. In many ways you can learn more about a culture from the folk tales than you can from reading scholarly works. I enjoyed this book; it gives you glimpses into the culture that you cannot obtain any other way.