In 2010, a modest Scottish publisher, Kettillonia, published a book of poetry, Drum of Stone, by celebrated Guatemalan Maya Kʼicheʼ poet Humberto Ak’abal, who sadly passed away just two years ago. The book presents poems in K’iche’, translated into English, and into Scots. As part of this, Humberto visited visited Scotland.
The short video, above, is of Humberto singing an invocation for rain while he visited the Ullapool Book Festival. Also, while in Scotland, he recorded a short podcast for the Scottish Poetry Library, featuring Rosemary Burnett and James Robertson, who both worked on the translations in the book.
The book was Kettillonia’s first full-length book publication and we are pleased to note that it is going strong.
You can listen to the short podcast, watch the video, and read about the book, and Humberto’s short tour, on the Kettillonia website – Humberto Ak’abal – Drum of Stone.
Categories: Audio, Culture, Guatemala, Human Rights, Indigenous peoples
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