About the Author

Gaspar Pedro González -  Mr. González is an official in the Ministry of Culture of Guatemala, and teaches Mayan languages and literature at Mariano Gálvez  University.  His novel, A Mayan Life, orgininally published in Spanish, then released in English and Q'anjobal, is the first novel by a native Maya author. His second novel, The Return of the Maya, has been released in Spanish and English. Mr. Gonzalez has also published several books of poetry, including Palabras Mayas, which is a bilingual collection in Q'anjob'al and Spanish. The English translation was released by the CSU Poetry Center as Dry Season:Q'anjob'al Maya Poems.  Information about ordering Dry Season is available on this website.

R. McKenna Brown - Dr. Brown, who collaborates on English translations of Mr. González's works, is an associate professor of Spanish and Director of the International and Area Studies Program at Virginia Commonwealth University, and author of several books and articles on Mayan language and identity. He  has designed and led  intensive summer programs focusing on Mayan language and culture in Guatemala for over a decade.  Dr. Brown received his BA in Speech Pathology from Florida A&M University and his MA and PhD from Tulane.  

from the cover of Sq'anej maja'; Palabras mayas by Gaspar Pedro González

Poems

The Calendar

Q'anjob'al
English

The Fiesta of the Birds

Q'anjob'al
 
Hear Gaspar Pedro González read Fiesta of the Birds

The Hummingbird

Q'anjob'al
English
español