What the Maya say about 2012

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The best part of traveling to the Mundo Maya is learning firsthand about cultural phenomena, including the upcoming end of the Maya Long Count. There is no substitute for talking with the locals -- whether in southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, or Honduras -- to get a feel for how the Maya 2012 story is playing out in the Maya region.

I just came across this piece by Maggie Koerth-Baker, entitled "What actual Mayans are saying about 2012," in which she reports, "Another important thing to think about: The amount of money being raked in by woo-woo charlatans (and, now, big entertainment companies) who are all capitalizing off what amounts to willful misinterpretations of Mayan legends, traditions and science."

She also quotes John Hoopes, who says, "I'd like to see more of the revenue from the hyping of 2012 mythology through books, movies, conferences, and websites go directly to the living descendants of the ancient Maya whose cultural heritage and intellectual property is being appropriated without their knowledge or consent for the financial benefit of non-Maya hucksters."

As the non-Maya author of one of those books, Moon Maya 2012: A Guide to Celebrations in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras out Maya, I hope that directly promoting as many Maya-owned hotels, restaurants, and tour guides as I could find is one way to contribute to the cause. If you make it down there -- in 2012 or beyond -- let me know how it goes and what you learn.

Some tips: The Best Maya Archaeological Sites to Visit in 2012