Maria Choc Choc reads words of things to be seeded into the earth as a way of being reborn, such as community, love, animals, etc.
Ynah C’ulub – Semilla – Seed
Veche – Sembrar – Sow
Tzutz – Cabello – Hair
Vaalcab – Cacao – Cocoa
Quivi – Achiote – Annatto
Chiçibic – Vainilla – Vanillas
Chol – Milpa (maizal) – Cornfield
Haatz – Árbol – Tree
Ahonpo – Sapo – Toad
Hun – Aguacate – Avocado
Alaz – Muñeca – Doll
E – Diente – Tooth
Pom – Copal – Copal
Bacxul – Garza – Heron
Idem – Candela – Candle
Ich – Chile – Chile pepper
Met – Corona – Crown
Lum – Jocote (ciruela) – Jocote fruit
Pemehc– Concha – Shell
Bahlan – Tigre – Tiger
Chum – Calabaza – Pumpkin
Xtuhlub – Lagartija – Lizard
Tiil – Danta (tapir) – Tapir
Itzquil – Apazote (especie de planta aromática) – Epazote (aromatic plant species)
Boox – Cuchillo – Knife
Yaxte – Ceiba (especie de árbol) – Ceiba (tree species)
Choh – León – Lion
Hol – Cabeza – Head
Chu – Palabra De Mujer – Woman’s word
Mocohc – Mazorca – Ear of corn
Tzin – Yuca – Yucca
Bac – Hueso – Bone
Tinam – Algodón – Cotton
Lum – Jocote (ciruela) – Jocote fruit
Tun – Piedra – Stone
Xichel – Vena – Veins
Zac – Blanco – White
Calam – Quijada – Jaw
Chaquib – Hacha – Ax
Cuul – Miembro Viril – Male genitalia
Paac – Tomate – Tomato
Holpix – Rodilla – Knee
Chiquin – Orejas – Ears
Malbas – Mizte – Mallow
Vich – Ala – Wing
Chai – Pescado – Fish
Max – Mico (mono pequeño) – Mico (small monkey)
V – Luna – Moon
Buc – Ropa – Clothes
Popol – Comunidad – Community
Vichil – Cerro – Hill
Ut – Ojos – Eyes
Caquil – Pepita de ayote (calabaza) – Pumpkin seed
Ni – Nariz – Nose
Chijc – Venado – Deer
Butz – Humo – Smoke
Cai – Cantar – To sing
Çemet – Comal – Earthenware griddle
Am – Araña – Spider
Ahchui – Sastre – Tailor
Chich – Sangre – Blood
Achit – Iguana – Iguana
Chohbia – Amor – Love
Muyal – Nube – Cloud
Acut – Baile – Dance
Chacach – Cesta – Basket
Poi – Espantapajáro – Scarecrow
Abu – Lechuza – Owl
Tez – Bledo (especia planta) – Amaranth (plant species)
Chiic – Pizote (especie de mamífero) – Coati (mammal species)
Uchel – Bebida De Cacao – Cocoa drink
Ahin – Lagarto – Alligator
Vante – Arco De Flechas – Bow
Toc’ – Pedernal – Flint
Chumuc – Ombligo – Navel
Ahzib – Pintor – Painter
Zinam – Alacrán – Scorpion
U Chate – Dedo Mayor – Thumb
Chutez – Amamantar – Breastfeed
Ac’ – Lengua – Tongue
Can Tumin – Oro – Gold
Xinich – Hormiga – Ant
Yit – Raiz – Root
Bihil – Camino – Road
Cac – Fuego – Fire
Puul – Tinaja – Jar
Tahte – Ocote (especie de pino) – Montezuma pine
Xucul – Verdolagas (especie de planta) – Purslane
Neen – Espejo – Mirror
Acab – Noche – Night
Cahnab – Mar – Sea
Etoc – Amigos – Friends
La – Órtiga – Nettle
Chopte – Cuna – Crib
Peeht – Olla – Pot
Tzon – Cerbatana – Blowpipe
U Calh – Abánico – Fan
Coht – Águila – Eagle
Peche -Apretar mano – Squeeze hand
Tum – Corazón – Heart
Xux – Avispa – Wasp
Boi – Sombra – Shadow
Otot – Casa – House
Nuc – Pescuezo – Neck
Tzi – Perro – Dog
Ixchac – Garra – Claw
Miztun – Gato – Cat
Xiiab – Peine De Tejer – Knitting comb
Pa – Tortilla – Tortilla
Yalquijl – Abeja – Bee
Ahamai – Flautero – Piper
Vaiac – Soñar – To dream
Halal Ec – Cometa – Comet/Kite
Hocho (Abrirse las orejas / To Open One’s Ears, 2022-ongoing) is a sound work that invites us into a journey not only through a specific geography—that of the Chol’ in Guatemala—but throughout time, since the Spanish colonial invasion to nowadays. How could we listen and learn from the voices of the Ch’olti’, prosecuted and nearly exterminated by the Spaniards in the 17th century, and how could their loss be repaired in an area where both cultural and ecological extractivism has operated for centuries. This piece began as a historical research, which then quickly became a very personal journey for the artist into retracing most of the terrain covered by internal refugees during the Guatemalan Civil War (1960-1996).
Commissioned by TBA21 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary for TB21 on st_age, this work was also supported by extra funds from the Inga Maren Otto Fellowship (The Watermill Center, NY).
Field and voice recordings were made with the assistance of Ameno Cordova and Stef Arreaga.
