Songs of Dzitbalche
Encyclopedia
The [Book of the] Songs of Dzitbalché is the source of almost all the ancient Maya
n lyric poems that have survived, and is closely connected to the Books of Chilam Balam
, sacred books of the colonial Yucatec Maya. The sole surviving copy of the Songs of Dzitbalché was written in alphabetic Mayan in the 18th century. The author identifies himself as Ah Bam, an elder of the town of Dzitbalché
. He appears to say that the book was originally written in the year 1440. Manuscripts of this era were often copies of copies of copies, so scholars have to look at internal evidence for clues to the original date of composition. Many of the poems appear to be much older than the manuscript, and contain ancient ceremonial and ritual material. Other poems are songs of love
, philosophy
, and spirituality
. Many of them appear to have had a musical accompaniment. Originally titled The Book of the Dances of the Ancients, the current title was given to it by its first translator.
Maya civilization
The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...
n lyric poems that have survived, and is closely connected to the Books of Chilam Balam
Chilam Balam
The so-called Books of Chilam Balam are handwritten, chiefly 18th-century Mayan miscellanies, named after the small Yucatec towns where they were originally kept, and preserving important traditional knowledge in which indigenous Mayan and early Spanish traditions have coalesced...
, sacred books of the colonial Yucatec Maya. The sole surviving copy of the Songs of Dzitbalché was written in alphabetic Mayan in the 18th century. The author identifies himself as Ah Bam, an elder of the town of Dzitbalché
Dzitbalché
Dzitbalché is a large town in the extreme northern part of the Mexican state of Campeche. It is located at 20.32°N 90.05°W, within the municipality of Calkiní...
. He appears to say that the book was originally written in the year 1440. Manuscripts of this era were often copies of copies of copies, so scholars have to look at internal evidence for clues to the original date of composition. Many of the poems appear to be much older than the manuscript, and contain ancient ceremonial and ritual material. Other poems are songs of love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
, philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, and spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
. Many of them appear to have had a musical accompaniment. Originally titled The Book of the Dances of the Ancients, the current title was given to it by its first translator.