The lights dim but don't go out on the stars of Yucatec Maya oral literature

The purpose of this study is to become more familiar with the most popular characters in contemporary Yucatec Maya oral literature and the symbols and motifs that help them accomplish their objectives. Focus will highlight the types of actors and actresses in this literature, the symbols and motifs that associate them with the past, purposes they serve in contemporary society, changes in their roles over the years, and a glimpse into the future. The characters presented are ones I have gotten to know in my field project of taping, translating, and studying present-day stories in the Yucatec communities of Becal, Hoctun, Kopoma, Seye, and Tekax, among others. One hundred six stories were analyzed for this study.