Guatemala's Mayan people accused the government and tour groups on Wednesday of perpetuating the myth that their calendar foresees the imminent end of the world for monetary gain.
"We are speaking out against deceit, lies and twisting of the truth, and turning us into folklore-for-profit. They are not telling the truth about time cycles," charged Felipe Gomez, leader of the Maya alliance Oxlaljuj Ajpop.
Several films and documentaries have promoted the idea that the ancient Mayan calendar predicts that doomsday is less than two months away, on December 21, 2012.
The Culture Ministry is hosting a massive event in Guatemala City -- which as many as 90,000 people are expected to attend -- just in case the world actually does end, while tour groups are promoting doomsday-themed getaways.
Maya leader Gomez urged the Tourism Institute to rethink the doomsday celebration, which he criticized as a "show" that was disrespectful to Mayan culture.
Experts say that for the Maya, all that ends in 2012 is one of their calendar cycles, not the world.
Gomez's group issued a statement saying that the new Maya time cycle simply "means there will be big changes on the personal, family and community level, so that there is harmony and balance between mankind and nature."
Oxlajuj Ajpop is holding events it considers sacred in five cities to mark the event and Gomez said the Culture Ministry would be wise to throw its support behind their real celebrations.
More than half of Guatemala's population of nearly 15 million are from indigenous groups of Mayan descent.
The Mayan calendar has 18 months of 20 days each plus a sacred month, "Wayeb," of five days. "B'aktun" is the larget unit in the time cycle system, and is about 400 years. The broader era spans 13 B'aktun, or about 5,200 years.
The Mayan culture enjoyed a golden age between 250 AD and 900 AD.
Source
Things may have said the Mayan Calender says the end of TIME, but I have not seen anything about monetary gain because of end of TIME. If it were end of world, what good would money do?
OMG...are we all on different planets. Anonymous...the article is saying that people are using the end of time scenerio to make money. I am really glad they have done this. Good for them. You know how people are...we make up stuff for ill gotten gain and then believe it's real telling everyone else how real it is. Boy or boy!!!!!
I've spent time living in Guatemala and was ashamed at the way the Guatemalteco's treated the indigenious people. It was disgusting and beyond comprehension. I've never seen such racism. I felt so bad for the Mayan and was so disgusted in the non natives that left the country and haven't been back since. It is deplorable that they get away with it so no surprise that they would use there calendar for money. BAST#RDS!!!!
Think, profit before the supposed end. Corporations can once again lure the general uneducated and unassuming public to purchase survival items, vacations, propoganda, and a myriad of other materials and services they want. They profit from fear the end for them justifies the means. Wake up!
I lived and worked on Lake Atitlan in Guate in the '80s. Fantastic people, culture and place. My friends have lived with and employed Maya for some 40 years. The Maya says if the world or civilization is ending it's not their fault, it's the greedy ones.
I think it is a good thing to go after the cowards who actually believe that they can interpret the Mayan calender better then the Mayan civilization.This is an example of how so called educated scientists authorities lie to brain wash other people into hysteria.Yea for the Mayan people!
I'd gladly celebrate the Mayan Calendar and its ending cycle. It has been wholly misrepresented and exploited by non-Mayans, such as the Government of Guatemala and what it is doing. Also once again the New-Agers are getting it wrong. If anyone wants to know who is destroying the world it is corporate greed, not a cosmic cycle. The end wont come on December 21, 2012, but what is coming is catastrophic and it is called Climate Change, also brought about by corporate greed, societal complacence, and ignorant masses who'd rather remain mystified than react to a true crisis. Take a damn stand people! End reliance on fossil fuels and stop the emissions of industry causing climate change.
The Mayans are saying that a new era of peace will start. Isaiah talked about a time of peace on this continent and the Book of Mormon talks about it, too. A new era of time. The Mayans have known this from their forefathers.
Things do not have to be taken so literally all the time. An ending to the world as you know it may also be an ending to the illusion of the world as you have believed your Self to know it... how you have deceived to perceived it due to years of indoctrination... this may very well end in 2012, just as it has for many others. Find your Self -- and the rest will work itself out.
I had a dream last night where I was in a class room with some Mayan People. In the dream some bad man started to make trouble about money and power and started to threaten the people. In the dream he lost his head! When I awoke I saw this article. There are Spiritual Wonders in the Universe for everyone with a good heart. If we turn our backs on goodness and practice evil, it will be that which we will reap.
They could have meant an end to our way of thinking, not necessarily a physically destroyed earth. Nobody knows, we'll have to wait & see.
We can see how varied the different perspectives can be. Makes U wonder about many of history's stories.
For those that see, it is good...for those that don't, well, they can keep on pretending.
What does it matter what the Mayans meant at the time the calendar in question was made? It's simply a representation of their beliefs, no different really than the Chinese, Jewish, Christian, or any other calendars having defining dates of origin and of spiritual significance.
Are we alarmed by the fact that almost all modern calendars are posted in one year increments? Does the world as we know it end on 12/31? Of course not! In modern society millions of people reflect on their lives and engage the process of New Year's Resolutions in an effort to affect a new beginning in a higher consciousness - every year!
If we can leave our indignation at the door for a moment perhaps we might be able to dismiss the judgmental assignations of evil to those who promote activities based on current events. Do we not party on New year's Eve? Do we not honor hundreds of cultural events around the world with celebratory gatherings based largely upon the theme of the day?
Good for them,eye am happy to hear and see this. Although the May-yans borrowed that calendar from the Olmecs, Eye wonder what the Olmecs have to say about all of this?
qiuayon so en tra so en nas tra ka mix ne ke te son tra laixwa niei ix nika..
there you stood on the edge of your feather
expecting to fly...
Personally, I hope that those who take this rubbish seriously do disappear into a Black Hole or something: like the one inside their stupid heads. PS 21st is the First day of the 14th baktun, not the last of the 13th: idiots!
this "change" could simply be the whole sandy hook elementary massacre and the little changes left behind.
NOW THEY ARE SPEAKING ? WHY DID'T THEY SPEAK OUT ABOUT THIS YEARS AGO.....
They have. Anyways, not sure if it's been factored in, the changes to the calendar systems, leap years, etc...
EITHER way...we DO need a time of change
Too many wars, too much greed, intolerance, and waste in our world.
If it doesn't happen, we should MAKE it happen.
all humans have their own view on what they believe is true. but i would like for humanity to open their eyes and their ears,brain and think what is known of history is written by the winners of conquest. any old civilization that left any written history did not leave translation. mayans, incas, phoenicians etc. have similar stories to destruction of the world but the way i see it is that humanity eventually will perish at its own hand and the planet itself will continue to rotate on its axis maybe as is now or as another planet like mars. think all history unless you were present its all speculation written by the ones who conquer others. governments need to stop exploiting any descendants of any ancient culture that is left and start actually learning what they have to teach.
Anonymous: Maybe because people weren't talking about this 'years ago'...
The end of a life cycle, not the end of the world.
"Things may have said the Mayan Calender says the end of TIME, but I have not seen anything about monetary gain because of end of TIME. If it were end of world, what good would money do?"
That's the whole point, anonymous... they knew it was not the end of the world, they were using it to try and scare stupid people into spending their money.
So sad, how the Mayan Calendar was used to scare the world. Archeologists also said the Mayan people didn't exist anymore. So sad, but it is good to hear that descendants of the Mayan people live in Guatemala. So sad!
I think all that's left of the Olmecs is some art.
Hello, I do NOT feel what is said on TV is wrong or meant to be hurtful. Man has always wondered their Destiny/Final Day. So sorry feeling hurt to ALL. But, I do NOT think/feel it is meant as cruel or mean wrods. TV is a whole lot of Hog wash, anyway. Stick to your belief, be strong and know many support you, as do I. Tim Whelan Best Wishes to you and to ALL.