Mayan Hip Hop Cosmovision

 

We walk amongst magic that flows through this entire lake. It dances through our hearts and in all of our serendipitous encounters. Like everything in life, we must remember the dance of balance - to give and receive.

 

For hundreds of years, the Mayan history and language has been taken, oppressed, and appropriated. Not only do we see and feel the magic of this place, but also the necessity to do our part in conserving this beautiful culture, language, and people.

 

It is our responsibility to understand the impact we have through our influence here. We must play our part to be curious, respectful, and open.

 

Weedman Majia and Wolf Fer Sajvin are 2 young men that have been working tirelessly for many years to produce songs in their language, to preserve the roots of a language that only a fraction of the world actually speaks. Their songs would bring so much pride and opportunity for their community, while inspiring the likes of so many young Mayans around the lake. In this way, we can help support the youth to step away from the negative influence in their environment, to break the cycles of oppression and rewrite their futures in the most beneficial way.

 

Our goal is to cover all the costs it takes for them to make these timeless pieces of art for their community, and to help them start their careers. To accomplish this, we hope to raise $2000 in May!

 

But in order to do this, we need your help!

 

 

We're working directly with Tzutu Kan and Casa Ajaw Hip Hop which is the school of Mayan Hip Hop Cosmovision in Lake Atitlan that supports the local youth in expressing the core elements of their culture, such as the Mayan language.

 

Some words directly from the 2 young men we're supporting:

 

"Hello, my name is Lucas Fermin (or Wolf Fer Sajvin), I am originally from San Marcos La Laguna. Since I was a child, I loved music and fell in love with every musical instrument I touched. Growing up, I connected to different musical tastes, like the Marimba, which is the folklore inesxex ulew (earth of the corn), and from there also Rock Anglo. What mostly got my attention was hip hop culture. I love to rap and freestyle, often practicing with friends. This is the most beautiful art to me, so I composed songs that I want to continue growing, always fostering the Mayan culture in it. It's important to show this as it's done in every ethnic group that represents the Titlan Lake Basin."

 

"I am Weedman. My real name is spelt Widman. Since I was a child, I always liked all kinds of music, but between 2012-2013 I found out about this Hip Hop workshop called "Caza Ajaw" and I started to participate there knowing nothing about Hip Hop culture. It really caught my attention. Over time it became a huge part of my life, because as a child many of us did not have the opportunity to access technology. So, from there, I began to investigate the roots of Real Hip Hop, getting deeper into the role and rapping in Kaqchikel and Spanish. After a while, I stepped away from it because of so many vices that surrounded me. I liked to walk in the street then go to school, but I never left Rap. I would still write about my life and what was happening around me despite so much criticism and ridicule. But I never cared. To this day, I'm trying to turn the tables, to stand out from crowd through my music and my love of Hip Hop."

 

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