Monomaniacal Fervor

Diego de Landa, a Spanish bishop, burned Mayan books and idols in 1562 as part of an event known as the “Auto de fe” (Act of Faith). There were several reasons behind his actions:

1. Religious Conversions: At the time, the Spanish colonizers were attempting to convert the indigenous people of the Americas to Christianity. Diego de Landa, as a Catholic bishop, believed that the Mayan religious practices and texts were obstacles to the conversion process. He saw them as pagan and idolatrous, conflicting with the Christian teachings.

2. Cultural Suppression: The Spanish colonizers aimed to suppress indigenous cultures and replace them with European customs and beliefs. Destroying Mayan books and idols was a deliberate effort to undermine the indigenous cultural and religious identity. By eradicating their texts and religious artifacts, the Spanish hoped to diminish the influence of Mayan beliefs and facilitate the imposition of their own cultural values.

3. Fear of Rebellion: The Spanish were also concerned about potential uprisings or resistance from the indigenous population. Mayan religious leaders held significant influence within their communities, and their texts and idols were considered symbols of authority and power. By destroying these religious artifacts, the Spanish sought to weaken the spiritual and social structure of the Mayan society, making it easier to exert control over the indigenous people.

4. Lack of Understanding: Diego de Landa and other Spanish colonizers often lacked a proper understanding of the cultural and historical significance of the Mayan texts and artifacts. They viewed them through the lens of their own beliefs and saw them as primitive or heretical. This lack of appreciation for the cultural heritage of the Mayan civilization contributed to the destruction of valuable historical and literary works.

It is important to note that Diego de Landa’s actions resulted in a significant loss of Mayan knowledge and history. Many ancient Mayan texts were destroyed, and only a limited number survived. The burning of Mayan books and idols remains a tragic episode in the history of cultural destruction and the suppression of indigenous peoples.