Meet the man dedicated to preserving his pre-Hispanic Mayan culture in Mexico. From creating performances combining feather art and dance to creating authentic jewellery, he seeks to keep the legacy of his ancestors alive.
Leyber is a descendant of the Mayan (Indigenous people of Mesoamerica) living in Chiapas. He has been a performing artist for over 13 years- fusing ancestral elements with contemporary proposals that “connect with the spirit and collective memory.”
He said: “My goal is to preserve and disseminate the cultural richness of our people, bringing their strength and wisdom to different scenarios in Mexico and the world.
“I firmly believe that art is a tool for social transformation, and that is why I dedicate my life to creating shows that awaken awareness, identity and pride in who we are.”
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He started making feather jewellery several years ago to preserve his culture, incorporating key elements like jade and amber, representing the vivid prehispanic culture of Mexico. Leyber finds it essential to create ancestral art that combines modernity whilst preserving their identity so people can still wear it in today’s day and age.
“I feel proud, and I hope that our great artistic and ceremonial legacy is not forgotten,” Leyber urged, “I like my culture, and I want everyone to feel proud of their roots of whatever kind it is.”
Lieber has made productions that combine and are inspired by the Aztec and Mayan cultures and Mexican folklore.
When performing the cultural Mayan dances, ceremonial masks are usually used with visionary costumes to transform humans into god-like creatures or animals. These are typically performed at important events, like weddings- as they portray religious beliefs. These dances were rituals under the pre-Hispanic period, which continued to take place in a modified form under colonization.
