The Wooden People: The Manikin People

The mythologist David Adams Leeming once said, “Great myths are never merely silly or superstitious tales. Great myths give us insights into the nature of our world.” This statement is advocated by the story of “The Wooden People” from the Popol Vuh, a book that is the Mayan bible. Myths can give anyone the insight and perspective into humankind’s past. The story of “The Wooden People” describes the third creation story of four that influenced the Mayan people. In the story the Mayan gods have failed twice at creating humans. They create the little wooden people called Manikins. When the Manikins were created they were seen as incompetent because they did not acknowledge their creators or have a soul. In reaction to this the Mayan gods destroyed
them. The gods crushed them down and ripped them apart. The gods then started again.