CAJ note: We’re posting this article in honor of yesterday’s Quote of the day…
Don’t panic! Mayan timekeeper says world WON’T end in 2012… as it’s only a calendar change
- Leonzo Barreno trained as timekeeper by Mayan elders
- Many believe its calendar marks end of world on Dec 21
- But professor says it just marks start of new calendar
Mark Duell
Daily Mail [UK]
1st January 2012
Mayan calendar: The University of Regina journalism professor said Mayan elders taught him December 21 this year simply marks the start of a new calendar
Many consider it a joke although others are scared we might never live to see next year thanks to the Mayan calendar’s ‘apocalyptic’ prediction.
But Mayan expert Leonzo Barreno, of Saskatchewan, Canada, says the ‘apocalypse’ concept is a false interpretation of the Long Count calendar.
The University of Regina journalism professor said Mayan elders taught him that December 21 this year simply marks the start of a new calendar.
Mr Barreno, who immigrated to Canada from Guatemala 23 years ago, was trained by Mayan elders to read the calendars, reported CBC News.
‘There are two sides to the story,’ he told CBC. ‘The one that we know is this apocalyptic meaning that has been given to the Long Count.
‘The other side of the story is the Mayan side, which you rarely see on media articles, because they never interview my own people.’
He said Mayan people are featured for just five seconds of the film 2012, starring John Cusack, which is loosely based on their ‘predictions’.
‘When I grew up during my training I never hear the word “end of the world” from the elders or spiritual leaders,’ Mr Barreno added.
‘For them it’s a joyous event, not an apocalyptic event. What is coming is the end of a calendar and the beginning of a new one.
‘It’s cyclical,’ he told CBC. ‘This has happened before. According to the elders it’s the fifth time it’s happened.’
The article continues at the Daily Mail.
Guess I’ll begin organizing the receipts for tax day, then.
