K'iche' Maya glyphs to reconnect art and language: Wilmer Aram Aj's project in Guatemala
'[It's] very important to work for the K'iche' Maya language through art, music, and painting'
Written (Español) by
María Alvarez Malvido
Written (Español) by
Wilmer Aran Aju
Translated (English) by
Teodora C. Hasegan
Read this post in Malagasy, Español
Translation posted 2 July 2025
Meet the participants in the Catalyst Program for Digital Activism for Indigenous Languages of Guatemala! The program, coordinated by Rising Voices, brings together participants from various regions who have projects related to the use, strengthening, revitalization, and/or promotion of an Indigenous language through digital media and tools, and through processes that involve and benefit their communities.
Each participant receives a stipend, peer support, and opportunities for dialogue with people from other regions, languages, and worldviews, as well as with participants in the Mayan Languages program from Mexico and Colombia.
Rising Voices (RV): How do you like to introduce yourself?
Translation Original Quote
Wilmer Aram Ajú: My name is Wilmer Aram Ajú, and I also often go by Saq Imox (my family name, which I didn't inherit but also wanted to adopt). I am from the village of El Novillero, Santa Lucía Utatlán, Sololá, Guatemala, and I speak K'iche’ Maya. I studied art at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala and I teach music education. I enjoy graphic arts and ceramics, I'm a silkscreen printer, a musician, and I love connecting everything I do with my K'iche’ culture.
RV: What would you like to share with the world about your language and territory?
Wilmer Aram Ajú: My community is a K'iche’-speaking Mayan community, and we have a wealth of tangible and intangible cultural traditions. We have sculptures of all sizes left to us by our grandparents. Our culture is deeply rooted in K'iche’ knowledge.
I would like our language to be used not only for verbal communication, but also in murals, songs, and even signage in public spaces. I would also like us to be more aware that our language has its own writing system, which we call Tz'ib’, and that it is full of history and wisdom.
More:
https://globalvoices.org/2025/07/02/kiche-maya-glyphs-to-reconnect-art-and-language-wilmer-aram-ajus-project-in-guatemala/