Ri Ajilanel Ajkotz'i'j / El contador de flores
​Diego Adrián Guarchaj Ajtzalam

Ri Ajilanel Ajkotz'i'j / El contador de flores by the Ajq'ij Diego Adrián Guarchaj Ajtzalam, with a foreword by Apab'yan Tew, contains poems in [Mayan] K'iche' translated into Spanish by the linguist Oscar Ajkaj, grandson of tat Diego, with a beautiful cover designed by Walter Paz Joj.

"The Flower Counter" is a gorgeous book. What the ajq'ij Tat Te'k shows us in his poems is great sensitivity and wisdom. In them, we can see reflected the life and the K'iche' philosophy of one who "counts the days," a specialist of the [Maya] calendar. From the poem dedicated to the metate or his faithful companions, the dog and the cat, to the invocation of the ancestors, Heart of Heaven and Heart of Earth that take us to the living world of the Popol Wuj, which has been translated by our ajq'ij to various Mayan languages ​​and Spanish. In each poem, there is a wonderful rhythm that is understood to come from generations of singers and artists, from a civilization that never died out, it only had to transform.

​The introduction by Apab’yan Tew is very emotional, and we thank him for being able to rescue that USB with such valuable material. I have worked with Apab’yan for many years. As a researcher, he is tireless and now, as a producer, he is admirable. I highly recommend this reading and also following up on the editorial work of Jade Publishing, which makes it possible to have these thoughts in hand.

Diego Adrián Guarchaj Ajzalam (Nahualá, Guatemala) was born in 1944. He was a linguist, spiritual guide and leader of his community. He translated various types of texts, including the Popol Wuj and worked throughout his life to provide assistance in the topics of health, agriculture, religion, as well as the reading and writing of K'iche' and Spanish in his community.

Ri Ajilanel Ajkotz'i'j / El contador de flores is publication by Jade Publishing. Click here to purchase.
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Reviewed by
Dr. Yolotl González Torres
​​7/24/2020

Dr.  Yolotl González Torres is a professor-researcher-emeritus at INAH. She is a specialist in Mesoamerican studies, a lifelong honorary president of the Mexican Society for the Study of Religions and a lifelong Honorary member of the International Association for the History of Religions.

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