Reformatted papers and documentation regarding the indigenous Cuna, Quiché [K'iche'], and Yaruro Indians of Panama, Guatemala, and Venezuela, respectively. compiled by a Jesuit social anthropologist The microfilm includes textual materials, maps, and charts such as various field notes and related materials on the life, culture, and victimization of indigenous people. The collection also includes photographic copy prints and negatives and interview recordings in separate series.

Borrowed from the author for preservation reformatting, 1998-2002, 2004, 2007, with the originals then transferred to the Central American Province Jesuit Archives. Processed by Mark G. Thiel, CA, 1998-[ongoing].

The Cuna (Panama) and Yaruro (Venezuela) documentation will follow.

Biographical Note

Ricardo Falla-Sánchez (1932-) is a Guatemalan Jesuit anthropologist. He studied in the United States and has dedicated his life to documenting the lives and cultures of the Quiché [K'iche'] Maya Indians in Guatemala and and other indigenous peoples in Central America. His writings document the massacres of Indian communities, their struggles for justice and human rights, and their revitalization with assistance by Catholic Action, an outside organization. 

Scope and Content

Maya (Guatemala)

Series 1, Field Notes and Manuscripts, reels 1-3 and reels 4-5: The Maya papers, which are in Spanish [Castillano], correlate to the Ph.D. dissertation and published writings by the author: La conversión religiosa: estudio sobre un movimiento rebelde a las creencias tradicionales en San Antonio Ilotenango, Quiché, Guatemala (1948-1970), University of Texas at Austin, 1975; Quiché Rebelde: estudio de un movimiento de conversión religiosa, rebelde a las creencias tradicionales, en San Antonio Ilotenango, Quiché (1948-1970), 1978; Masacres de la selva: Ixcán, Guatemala, 1975-1982, 1993; Massacres in the Jungle: Ixcan, Guatemala, 1975-1982, 1994; and Historia de un gran amor: recuperación autobiografica de la experiencia con las Comunidades de Población en Resistencia, Ixcán, Guatemala, 1993.

The microfilm contents are arranged first by the expiration date of the restrictions, then by geographical area, and there under by alphabetically and/or numerically arranged subject categories created by the author. Within each folder the order is according to document or page numbers assigned by the author. Targets on specific ties between the published and unpublished material have been added to the microfilm. Reels 1-3 are restricted to 2018 (20 years) and reels 4-5 are restricted to 2038 (40 years). 

Series 2, Series 2, Photographs: Copy prints and negatives pertaining to the Quiché Indians in Guatemala. Restricted to 2018 (20 years).

Series 3, Interviews: In Spanish [Castillano] and Quiché [K'iche'] regarding the life experiences of Quiché Indian adults and children in Santa Maria Chiquimula, Totonicapan, Guatemala. Restricted, with dates and number of years to be determined. The restrictions apply to access to both the comprehensive version of the Ricardo Falla-Sanchez, S.J., Papers, Series 3 Descriptive Inventory and to the recordings.