Rabinal Achí
Definition
Theater
- A Guatemalan folk drama that is believed to be the only formof theater to have survived from the pre-Columbian Americas withoutEuropean influence. The Quiché Mayan Indians had a rich oraltradition but the dialogue for the Rabinal Achí wasnot written down until 1850, when it was also translated into Spanish,French, and English. A performance is still put on by the survivingQuiché Mayans, each year in January.
The Rabinal Achí was originally known as theDance of Tun; music and dancing form an important part of the spectacle.The drama tells the story of the Quiché Warrior and the RabinalWarrior, who fight a ceremonial battle against death.
