Questions and swords : folktales of the Zapatista revolution

Domitila Domínguez (illus.), Antonio Ramírez (illus.), David Romo (trans.)ELENA PONIATOWSKA is a prolific author & journalist who focuses on social & human rights issues. Her work is read around the world & has won numerous literary awards, such as the prestigious Miguel de Cervantes Prize. Once again sharing the wisdom of Old Man Antonio and his Mayan heritage, Subcomandante Marcos tells two folktales from the Zapatista rebellion against the Mexican Government. "The Story of the Sword" is an ancient parable that demonstrates how the indigenous peoples of Mexico can finally defeat the European invader. The tree, for instance, tried to fight the sword, but was defeated. The stone likewise tried to fight the sword, but was defeated. But not the water. "It follows its own road, it wraps itself around the sword and, without doing anything, it arrives at the river that will carry it to the great water where the greatest of gods cure themselves of thirst, those gods that birthed the world, the first ones." "The Story of Questions" relates how two gods, Ik'al and Votan, wander the earth wrapped forever in each other's arms. These two gods are the Ying and the Yang, the yes and the no, the night and the day of the Mayan universe. Antonio says, "When they got here they made themselves one and gave themselves the name of Zapata." Mexican writer Elena Poniatowska and Native American poet Simon Ortiz contribute commentary to explain the significance of the Zapatista Rebellion to the 21st Century. They also discuss the use of folklore and artistic expression to expand our understanding of political thought. Well-known Mexican artists Domitila Dominguez and Antonio Ramirez co-directors of the Colectivo Callejero in Guadalajaraeach illustrated one of the stories. The Colectivo is dedicated to expanding the understanding of revolutionary thought through artistic expression. This beautiful full-colored editionthe successor to The Story of Colors that received international notoriety when the National Endowment for the Arts rescinded funding for its publicationwill serve equally well as a coffee table book as well as a serious read for lovers of Latin American literature. Contains The English And Spanish Translations Of Two Folktales About The Zapatista Revolution. Introduction -- Essay / By Simon Ortiz -- The Story Of Questions -- Essay / By Elena Poniatowska -- The Story Of The Sword, The Tree, The Stone, And The Water. By Subcomandante Marcos ; Illustrated By Domitila Domínguez And Antonio Ramírez. Includes Bibliographical References. Folktales In English And Spanish. A preface, January 1, 2001 The story of questions / as told by Subcommandante Marcos, illustrated by Antonio Ramírez Haah-ah, mah-eemah, yes, it's the very truth : essay / by Simon Ortiz The story of the sword, the tree, the stone & the water / as told by Subcomandante Marcos, illustrated by Domitila Domíngues Can a book explode like a bomb? essay / by Elena Poniatowska El colectivo callejero. Two neo-Mayan folktales from the jungles of Chiapas full of color illustrations. For Zapatistas of all ages.