Revitalistic techniques used in Nima' K'iche'

There are many examples of revitalistic techniques used by the activists who are restoring the Moreria Nima' K'iche' and they are constant and ongoing, some are:
*teaching classes in tailoring and in Mayan culture
*sponsoring musicians who practicie tradional music
*sponsoring indigenous dance troupes
*holding fair to showcase local artisans
*sponsoring apprentice morero's and craftspeople
*setting realistic rental pricing thus expanding participation
*offering a knowledge base to others

By working with and within the local communities, the activists have recreated the Moreria and made it an active part of the community.

This is unlike most of the tourist attractions that I have visited- the Moreria is alive, the people involved are not performing as a museum piece or only as a tourist attractions, this is living art, this art will continue to grow and expand.  In contrast, most of the performances I have seen at tourist attractions are dead, they are not actively growing, the people involved are not apprenticing for future involvement.  The closest example that I can think of to the Moreria is Charleston, where there are people making bread, beer, soap, cloths, etc, the way that they did in the 17th c.  The people are very involved and take their "jobs" seriously but in the Moreria they are not "acting", this is not just a day job, this is their culture and this is their life!

Angela Thurman

Here is a screen shot that I took from an article about local dance- these are 2 masks used in the Dance of Conquest referred to in the article.