The Dance of the Macaws

In the town of Santa Cruz Verapaz, Guatemala, young dancers perform a mythical story that explains the origins of social institutions and the rationale for religious rituals dedicated to the gods of the earth and the mountains. Ancient artists depicted scenes from related narratives on ceramic vessels. This video shows the Dance of the Macaws, described through the words of members of the dance group, in the Poqomchi’ Maya language. Produced in association with the exhibition Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art, November 21, 2022–April 2, 2023. Film by Ricky Lopez Bruni in collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art Subscribe for new content from The Met: #TheMet #Art #TheMetropolitanMuseumofArt #Museum © 2022 The Metropolitan Museum of Art