El Último Hilo

Humberto Ak’abal was one of the most important poetic voices from Latin America. A member of the K’iche’ Mayan community in Guatemala, Ak’abal wrote with an honesty, an intensity, and a passion that has inspired millions around the world. Reading Humberto’s poetry is like living through the depths of history, like being gut-punched with core-shaking truths, like dancing with water, trees, and birds; a true Mayan Mystic. Ak’abal lived through the horrific civil war that plagued Guatemala from 1960 to 1996 during which around 200,000 people died or disappeared — mostly of the indigenous Mayan population. He considered his art an act of protest, of truth-telling, and a deeply-felt expression of the human condition.

In July 2021, I was honored to meet Humberto’s mother Estebana, his sister Estela, and his wife Mayulí during a trip to Guatemala. We spent time in his home and writing studio (covered wall-to-wall with books and art), shared stories under a pine tree he planted when his son was born, and visited his grave. Humberto believed that reading was one of the most important gifts we can give to ourselves — to learn about the world around us, to foster compassion, and to grow as people. A sign in his home reads “Quien lee no está haciendo algo, se está haciendo alguien” (When you read, you are not doing something, you are becoming someone).

For “El Último Hilo,” I collected several of Ak’abal’s poems in hopes of sharing his story as an artist, as an important voice for his community, and as a human grappling with the complexities of existence. The music draws upon repertoire from Guatemala’s national instrument, the marimba (with inspiration from the melody “Tristezas Quetzaltecas”), and seeks to amplify Ak’abal’s compelling poetic voice.

I am grateful to Joel Rinsema and Kantorei for conceiving of and supporting this project, to the singers of Vocalis in Guatemala for their generosity and eagerness to bring this music to life, to Humberto’s family for sharing their intimate stories and offering blessings for this project, and to Humberto Ak’abal — a man who lived in ways of generosity, selflessness, strength, integrity, and hope. Que esta música sea una bendición para su memoria.