Drunken Boat #13 - Humberto Ak'abal & Miguel Rivera

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Humberto Ak’abal

Humberto Ak’abal is a Guatemalan poet. He was born in Momostenango, in Quetzaltenango province. Ak’abal holds a special position because he writes in his own Mayan language, Mayaquiché, in a country which has a tradition of repressing, rather than applauding, its indigenous population. Between 1993 and 2001, Ak’abal has published numerous bilingual poetry collections, including Ajyuq’- El Animalero (the animal keeper), Guardián de la caída de agua (Guardian of the waterfall) 1993, Hojas del árbol pajarero (leaves on the bird tree) 1995, Ajkem tzij - Tejedor de palabras (weaver of words) 1996, Saqirisanik - Cielo Amarillo (yellow sky), published in 2000 in Spain, and Aqjtzij, Palabramiel (honey word), his latest collection, published in 2001.

Miguel Rivera

Miguel Rivera is a musician and dummer who loves the language of sound. He has helped introduce Humberto Ak’abal to new audiences and has been helping to nuture the community and preserve the rich cultural traditions of his heritage through his activities. He resides in California and teaches throughout the country.