Rabinal Achi
RABINAL ACHI DECLARED WORLD PATRIMONY BY UNESCO
UNESCO declared the Guatemalan Dance “Rabinal Achi” as World Patrimony in Paris, France on Saturday.
Achí Xajooj Tun or “Baile del Tun” is the mayan name of this dance which is from Rabinal, Baja Verapaz. Rabinal Achi represents society of the periods between 900 AD and 1524AD. This period is known as PostClassic period. The story of the dance, is a dispute between the Quiches and Rabinachi. It is possible to witness this dance during the Rabinal fair in January of every year. It is a great honor for Guatemala to get this and especially for all the indigenous communities. This award will allow this piece to be conserved and recognized for all the world as one of the great traditions of the mayan culture. This is the only piece in Latinamerica which is conserved in its original form, without any changes of phrases from european origen. This piece also reflects a historial fact and it also represents the political structure of the time. This dance has survived for centuries. The Rabinal achi was presented clandestinly from 1625 to 1856. In the year 1856, Brasseur de Bourbourg witnessed it in person because he had already read the text. The Achí Xajooj Tun has been pass down orally from generation to generation. Brasseur de Bourbourg translated it to french. Achí Xajooj Tun, when traslated by Bourbourg became known as “Rabinal Achil”.
