Edgar Federico Martínez is a Tsotsil poet with a passion for the revitalization of the Mayan oral tradition. His work is inspired by the stories, accounts, and anecdotes that have been passed down for generations by his grandparents and the other elders in his pueblo. Martínez enjoys writing on the themes life and death; of natural elements such as insects, animals, and bodies of water; and of indigenous spirituality and connection to the earth. Written over the course of many years and distinct moments, his poems reflect on the teachings of Tsotsil elders. He juxtaposes celebration and sorrow, spiritual beings and the physical world.
Audio Recordings with Edgar Federico Martínez
- Maya Tsotsil poet Edgar Federico Martínez reading from his work, September 3, 2019.