Maya peoples

The Maya are a group of Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica.

They live in parts of southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. While they share a history, they are many different groups. These groups have their own unique traditions and cultures. They did not always have one single political leader. Today, there are about seven million Maya people in this region.

Many people still hold onto their ancient cultural heritage. Some live in modern cities alongside other cultures. Others live a more traditional life in rural areas. Many still use a Mayan language as their first language.

Language is a big part of how Maya groups stay connected.

One large group is the Yucatec Maya. They live in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and Belize. They speak the Yucatec Maya language. Many people in these areas also speak Spanish. There is often confusion about the names for these people. Some people use the term "Mayan" to talk about the languages. However, the correct name for the people is simply Maya. This helps distinguish the people from the different language families.

History brought many big changes to the Maya lands.

In 1511, Spanish shipwreck survivors arrived in the Yucatan. Later, Spanish explorers like Cortés arrived in 1519. These arrivals led to many years of conflict. For example, Francisco Montejo tried to conquer the area many times. His son, Francisco de Montejo the Younger, also faced hard battles. He lost 150 men in just one day at Chichen Itza. Eventually, the western part of the peninsula was conquered by 1542. These events changed how the Maya lived for a long time.

Despite these changes, Maya culture and people remain very strong.

In the 1800s, the Maya led a large revolt called the Caste War of Yucatán. In the 1900s, the Zapatista movement in Chiapas found support among the Maya. Many Maya people now hold important roles in government. Francisco Luna Kan was a doctor and a professor. He became the governor of the Yucatán Peninsula from 1976 to 1982. He was the first governor of that area with full Maya ancestry. Today, many politicians have Maya heritage.

Learning about the Maya helps us understand the modern world.

You can find Maya language classes in many places today. Some groups in the United States teach Maya cooking. Students can even study Maya at Indiana University. In Guatemala, about 42% of the people are of Maya descent. Many groups live in the western highlands there. These include the Kʼicheʼ and the Qʼeqchiʼ people. By studying their history, we see how they continue to shape their homes.