The family had talked about a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico this spring but for different reasons, it didn't happen. I was disappointed, as Oaxaca is my favorite Mexican State and my friend, Samuel, a native Zapotec, lives there and I had hoped to introduce the family to him. He is a marvelous young man who loves to share the Zapotec beliefs with those he meets.
However, if we had left the farm then, we would not have been here to spend as much time as we did, with Benedicto. Benedicto is a 27 year old artist from Guatemala and h was hired to come to the farm to paint a mural in the dining hall. We all learned so much from him during his stay, not only about painting, but also about the Mayan culture. The Mayans, who had been the dominant civilization in the Yucatan and Guatemala around 200-800 AD, is one of those civilizations that "disappeared" without anyone really understanding why. Some of them migrated and continued to florish in Guatemala and live there today. We attribute the concept of zero to this civilization and they developed a calendar more accurate than our own. This calendar was later adopted by the Aztecs and the "Stone of the Sun" is based on this.
Tha Mayans had two calendars and one of them ends in the year 2012. To some, this is a prediction that the world will come to an end. Benedicto said that this is not the Mayan interpretation. He says it signals the time of great change and a new dimension coming to our world. He also told of the struggles of the Mayan today and how the Catolic Church continues to try and squelch Mayan beliefs. If you go against the church, your job may be lost, your land will be taken, etc. He spoke to us about his spiritual beliefs and love of his culture in such a meaningful way.
In addition to the mural, he taught art to the kids 4 days a week. Around the age of 13, he told his Dad he wanted to paint. His Dad bought him a few basic supplies and he began. Most of the time, he begins only with the three primary colors and mixes the rest from there, working only in oils. The kids did amazing work under his direction and had a ball. They accepted him into the family as their brother! He had greta experiences here as well, going on a river rafting trip and in the small airplane. He even practiced his driving on the farm roads!
In his village, there are only a couple of cars, no refrigerators, and he is the only English speaker. He volunteers in the local school to teach the students English. He raises and donates money to the school and has started a co-op garden in his village.
After leaving the farm, he went to Denver to exhibit his work, before returning to Guatemala in time to take an exam, as he is in college. His work was sent on to NY for another exhibit. I have the feeling, we'll be seeing more of it around the US.
So, now, I have yet another place to go and visit! I would love to spend time in Benedicto's village, teaching the children. But, alas, no more leave of absenses will be granted to me! However, this would be a great contact for some of you, if you are ever interested! This man, offers all he meets, a precious gift.....himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment