As you can maybe tell from all the books, I am deep into research for several possible projects, all involving mythology from Ancient Mexico. As I read (and re-read) legends from the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, there is one creation myth that I keep coming back to.

In the Popol Vuh, the oldest documented mythology of the Maya, there is a creation story in which the Heart of Heaven and the plumed serpent Gucumatz try multiple times to create people. On their third attempt they use wood to form men, while women are made of rushes. However because these wooden people lack souls and respect for their creators, the gods decide to destroy them in a flood. So far, this is relatively standard as a creation myth. But the Mayans weren’t content to just drown these early humans. As the story goes, household items such as water jars, tortilla griddles, plates and cooking pots rebelled against the wooden people as well and crushed their faces. Between the rain, the animals and their murderous utensils, there was no place of safety. The story of inanimate objects taking on a life of their own and becoming dangerous figures in other cultures as well and I was intrigued to find this early example from the Americas!