Maya Opera Blends Art and Science for Water Awareness

Izamal, Yucatán — Through research based on oral tradition, historical accounts, and records about the worldview of water in Maya culture, the work Sujuy Ja’ (Sacred Water) provided members of the Red Ecos Yucatán with a space to reflect on the care of this vital liquid, highlighting the link between art and science as drivers of social awareness.

Directed by Miranda Lakerveld, the work was presented at the Centro Estatal de Capacitación, Investigación y Difusión Humanística de Yucatán (Cecidhy) in Izamal before more than 200 people, including Telebachillerato students, members of water defense collectives from different communities, as well as researchers.

During the presentation, the head of the Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (Secihti), Geovanna Campos Vázquez, highlighted the importance of generating multidisciplinary spaces to share knowledge and experiences around the main environmental and social challenges, such as access, care, and management of water.

For his part, researcher José Carlos Pintado Patiño, coordinator of the thematic network Urbanismo, Medio Ambiente y Riesgos Ambientales (Umare), explained that expressions that exalt the natural and cultural resources of the region contribute to society reflecting both from intellectual reflection and from community identity.

“Exposing ourselves to live this type of experience through song and the Maya language allows for greater sensitivity to the topic. Beyond natural resources, this has to do with the appropriation of territory and identity,” he said.

He added that, from Umare, the intersectoral link is strengthened to promote public policies in favor of sustainability and the environment. Among the achievements, he highlighted the holding of an open parliament on the Water Law, with the participation of various sectors, as well as continuous work on issues such as the orderly development of the coasts.

About the work, Maya actress and playwright Socorro Loeza Flores explained that the project is based on ancient writings such as the Popol Vuh, the Cantares de Dzitbalché, and stories like La soga viva, La última agua del cenote, and Las tres vírgenes.

Likewise, she emphasized the relevance of incorporating the female figure as the narrative axis of the production, in a journey that goes from the creation of the world to the present, with a message of hope.

“Those who narrate these stories are great ladies of the Maya territory, such as Xmukané, principle of creation; Ixtab; and Chaac Chel, the goddess of storms. Generally, Yuum Chaac is better known for his link to the milpa, but almost no one knows Chaac Chel, the lady of storms—as I like to call her—and that is what we wanted to represent,” she detailed.

She also reflected on the link between art and science as tools to generate social awareness.

“Both are based on research. The memory and knowledge of the peoples are as valid as any scientific study and allow bringing the results to others. Both art and science seek to awaken realities and make problems visible from a living and human work,” she pointed out.

In this collective process, collaborating Maya performing artists Socorro Loeza and Lucero Flores; singer Dana Góngora; percussionist Wendy Palomeque; guitarist Daniela Romero; director Miranda Lakerveld; Maya researcher Freddy Poot; as well as dramaturgist and producer Alex Benavides, form an interdisciplinary team that articulates artistic creation, academia, and community knowledge.

The tour of Sujuy Ja’, a work produced by World Opera Lab, will continue in Hopelchén and Seybaplaya, Campeche, and in Kanasín, on January 16, 17, and 18, respectively, and is carried out in collaboration with the Contraloría Ciudadana Autónoma del Agua, Agua para Todos, the Consejo Ciudadano por el Agua de Yucatán, the Colectivo Múuk’il Kaaj, Chicas Ka’anche’, the Coordinadora de Mujeres Mayas de Quintana Roo, Muuch-kambal, the Colectivo Maya de los Chenes, Pies de Mezcal, the Asamblea de Kanasín, Ja’ Kanules Telchaquillo, and the Universidad de las Artes de Yucatán, with the support of Performing Arts Funds NL.