Guatemala's Masks and Drama (review)

Mesoamerica is famous for its colorful indigenous peoples and their traditions. One of these traditions is the use of masks in ceremonies and celebration. Jim Pieper's beautifully illustrated book, Guatemala's Masks and Drama (distributed by the University of New Mexico Press) studies Guatemalan masks from a ceremonial perspective. Beginning with a broad overview of their history and production, Pieper then looks at the various ceremonies and celebrations and the masks associated with each. These include both indigenous traditions, such as the dance of the hunt, Monkey dances, and the dance of the tun, as well as new European influenced works like dances of the Crucifixion, St. George and the Dragon, and the Devil. Most enjoyable are the numerous illustrations of the masks, the ceremonies, and the people involved. The book also includes bilingual editions of many of the ceremonies, including the "Dance of the Animals," the "Dance of the Conquest," and the "Dance of the Cowboys," among others.