By Jose Arriola, six colorful masks take their inspiration from Guatemala's Dance of the Macaws. He shapes each one from terracotta and fires them before adding the brilliant colors. They depict a blue macaw, a black and white monkey, a spotted red jaguar, a dog, a lion and a blue zebra. The dance tells the story of Mama' Mun and his wife Pet Mun, who left their daughter Princess in a cave while they went hunting in the forest. When they returned, she was gone, so they called for help with musical instruments. Giant macaws appeared and offered their help. The birds began dancing, and indicated the way to find Princess, but they found her beneath the feet of K'iche' Winaq. Her blood was still on his lips. Mama' Mun, Pet Mun and the macaws attacked K'iche' Winaq and killed him, then the birds left, to the sound of traditional music.
Language: English
