And right after that you can see another new show on Channel 7, it
is called Ceiba: Nature of the Mayan Creation. It was created by a United States
nature-film student who produced the film as part of his master’s thesis
at Montan State University. It is co-hosted by a man who’s no stranger
to 7NEWS, Dr. Jaime Awe. With breath-taking imagery it explores the Maya creation
story and the central role that towering ceiba tree plays in that story.
“The ceiba trees are a wonderful mirror of conservation. They are
to this day given respect by the Mayan people and they are the only trees that
are allowed to keep standing in clear cut forests and fields. They are grand
and stately, a symbol of power and resilience.”
Dr. Jaime Awe,
“We often find a tree that is called the Ceiba, certainly one of the 
most majestic trees in the tropical forest and these too were very important
in ancient Maya ideology.”
“At the center of Maya culture is the ceiba tree. The tree of life,
the bridge between the underworld and the heavens above. The top of the ceiba
tree, like the top of an ancient temple is near to the Gods and the very place
where creation began. Even after some of the animals, the guardians of the forest,
populated the world the Gods were still not happy. They were beautiful creatures
but all they did was holler and sqwawk.”
Dr. Jaime Awe,
“We know that after the Gods had created animals, they were somewhat
disappointed because these animals did not honour them appropriately or the
way the Gods expected to be adored and thus they decided to create humans.”
To de-riddle the rest of the story of Maya creation, tune in tonight
at 8:30.
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