Rabinal Achi

In November last year Guatemala's unique pre-Colombian drama was a declared a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO.

Written in an archaic form of Achi (still spoken in Rabinal), the Rabinal Achi tells a tale from the Post-Classical era of Maya civilisation (900-1524AD): A Quiche warrior is captured by his enemies, the people of Rabinal. He is sentenced to die but pleads successfully to be able to visit his homeland one last time before his execution. He gives his word he will return, keeps it and is duly executed.

Performed in January at the feria of Rabinal since at least 1400, it is the only dramatic work in Latin America written entirely in an indigenous language and set before the the arrival of the Europeans. The characters wear wooden masks and pace back and forth in a small circle to the rhythm of the Tum, a traditional wooden drum.