"Winds of Memory" is a video that documents in a culturally rich manner the struggle of Mayan peasants in Guatemala against the repressive military government of the 1980s. Since it relates so closely to the ethnography I, Rigoberta Menchú, it will provide a visual image and political/historical background for the text. You are highly urged to also check out the web page on "Historical Background of Guatemala." You are not responsible for it on exams or essays, but it w ill be extremely helpful for you to understand the context for the required ethnography I, Rigoberta Menchú and may help you in organizing your essay. As you view the video, consider the following questions:
1. HOW WELL WERE MAYAN PEASANTS ABLE TO PRESERVE THEIR CULTURE IN THE FACE OF MILITARY REPRESSION?
2. HOW DID DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES RESPOND IN DISTINCT WAYS?
3. WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE REPRESSION OF MAYAN PEASANTS?
A. ACCORDING TO ACCOUNTS OF THE MILITARY/GOVERNMENT?
B. ACCORDING TO ACCOUNTS OF THE MAYAN PEOPLE?
4. WHAT WAS THE RELATIONSHIP OF PEASANTS TO THE GUERRILLAS?
5. WHAT WERE THE SELF-DEFENSE UNITS?
6. WHO WAS GEN. LUCAS GARCIA?
7. WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE FOR THE EXTENT OF THE REPRESSION?
8. WHAT FINALLY BROUGHT PEACE TO GUATEMALA?