Ethnographer, linguist, poet, translator, photographer, printmaker



Education

Santa Fe Photographic Workshops (2004, 2006, 2009)

Maya Hieroglyphic Workshops, University of Texas at Austin (1984, 1989, 1992, 1997)

Ph.D. in Anthropology, Tulane University (1968)

B.A. in Anthropology and Art History, cum laude in General Studies, University of New Mexico (1961)

Honors, awards, notices

On Southern California Public Radio, David Kipen includes 2000 Years of Mayan Literature in his list of the best books published in California in 2011 (2011).

Dorothy Doyle Lifetime Achievement Award from PEN New Mexico (2006)

Selection of Rabinal Achi: A Mayan Drama of War and Sacrifice as the best scholarly book of 2003 in the fields of language and literature by the Association of American Publishers (2004)

Sapir Book Prize of the Society for Linguistic Anthropology: Honorable Mention for Rabinal Achi (2004)

Distinguished Professor rank awarded by the State University of New York (2002)

American Anthropological Association President’s Award (shared with Barbara Tedlock) “for distinctive leadership in forging a new vision for the American Anthropologist” (1997)

Victor Turner Prize for Ethnographic Writing, awarded by the Society for Humanistic Anthropology for Days from a Dream Almanac (1991)

Selection of Days from a Dream Almanac (illustrated by the author) for the Association of American University Presses Book, Jacket, and Journal Show (1990)

PEN Translation Prize for Popol Vuh (1986)

Elsie Clews Parsons Folklore Prize, awarded by the American Folklore Society for Popol Vuh (1986)

Pushcart Prize for Alcheringa / Ethnopoetics while editor (1977)

Nominee, National Book Award in translation for Finding the Center (1972)

Junior Honors Fellow, Senior Honors Fellow, University of New Mexico (1959–61)

Fellowships and grants

School of American Research (Santa Fe), National Endowment for the Humanities Resident Scholar (2001–2002)

University at Buffalo / State University of New York, Conversations in the Disciplines grant (1997–98)

Dumbarton Oaks (Trustees of Harvard University) Fellowship in Pre-Columbian Studies (fall 1993, spring 1994)

National Endowment for the Humanities, Texts and Translations Program grant (summer 1993, summer and fall 1994)

University at Buffalo, Office of the Provost, Conferences in the Disciplines grant (1991)

University of Michigan, Fellow of the Institute for the Humanities (March 1989)

John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship (1986)

Fulbright Award, Council for International Exchange of Scholars; CAPES supplemental award from the Brazilian Ministério da Educação e Cultura (July–December, 1985)

National Endowment for the Humanities, Translations Program grant (1985–88)

Boston University, Office of the Provost, publication grant (1982)

National Endowment for the Humanities, Translations Program grant (1979–81)

National Endowment for the Arts Literature Program grants for the publication of Alcheringa/Ethnopoetics (1977–78, 1979–80)

National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship for Independent Study and Research (1976)

American Philosophical Society, Phillips Fund grants (1972, 1973)

Coordinating Council of Literary Magazines grants for the publication of Alcheringa/ Ethnopoetics (1972–75)

University of Pennsylvania, Center for Urban Ethnography fellowship (1972)

Wesleyan University, faculty research grant (1972)

City University of New York Research Foundation grant (1971)

National Institute of Mental Health Fellowship with research grant attachment (1964–66)

Tulane University graduate fellowships (1962–64)

Positions

University at Buffalo / State University of New York: Distinguished Professor (2002–present); James H. McNulty Chair in English and Research Professor of Anthropology (1987–present)

Harvard University: Visiting Professor in the Folklore and Mythology Program, sponsored by the Committee on Ethnic Studies (spring 1999)

Boston University: University Professor of Anthropology and Religion (1982–87), Associate University Professor of Anthropology and Religion (1977–82), Associate University Professor of Anthropology (1973–77)

Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey: Member (1986–87)

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Brazil): Fulbright Scholar, Depto. de Lingüística, Instituto de Estudos da Linguagem (July–December, 1985)

Yale University: Assistant Professor of Anthropology (1972–73)

New School for Social Research: Visiting Lecturer (part-time), Graduate Faculty of Political and Social Science (fall 1972)

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut: Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology (1971–72)

Brooklyn College of the City University of New York: Assistant Professor of Anthropology (1970–71)

School of American Research, Santa Fe, New Mexico: Research Associate (1969–70)

University of California at Berkeley: Assistant Professor of Rhetoric (1967–69)

Iowa State University: Assistant Professor of Anthropology (1966–67)

Summer positions

Naropa Institute (Boulder, Colorado): Visiting Faculty, Jack Kerouac School, Ethnopoetics week (July 1994, June 1995)

Oregon State University: Instructor, NEH Summer Institute for College and University Faculty (June 1990)

University of Texas at Austin: Visiting Scholar, Graduate Studies, and Instructor, NEH Summer Institute for College and University Faculty (July 1989)

University of British Columbia: Visiting Member, Extra-Sessional Studies, and Visiting Scholar, Tenth International Summer Institute for Semiotic and Structural Studies (August 1988)

University of Pennsylvania: Research Fellow, Center for Urban Ethnography (summer 1972)

Museum of Northern Arizona: Dig Foreman, Glen Canyon Project (summer 1962)

University of New Mexico: artist and photographer for Pottery Mound mural excavations (summer and fall 1959)

Field research

Note: most of the following research trips involve documentation by means of photography and/or sound recoding.

Pueblo Shé, Galisteo Basin, New Mexico: located on private land, access by permit granted to the Office of Archaeological Studies of the Museum of New Mexico. Ruins of a late prehistoric Pueblo, abandoned in the sixteenth century (summer 2013)

Pueblos in New Mexico: festivals and performing arts (summer and midwinter, 2001–present)

Chichicastenango, Santiago Atitlán, and other Mayan towns in Guatemala (May 2009)

Rabinal and Momostenango, Guatemala: K’iche’ drama and ritual (Jan.–Feb. 2005)

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: oral performances of Mongol shamans from Selenge, Khövsgöl, and Tuva (July–Aug., 1999)

Rabinal, Guatemala: K’iche’ Maya (Achi dialect) spoken and written verbal arts; dance-drama (January 1998)

Toledo District, Belize: Mopan and Q’eqchi’ Maya verbal arts (Nov. 1990, summer 1991)

Rabinal, Guatemala: K’iche’ drama (summer 1989)

Momostenango, Guatemala: K’iche’ ritual (Oct. 1988)

Rabinal, Guatemala: K’iche’ drama (summer 1988)

Zuni, New Mexico: Zuni verbal arts (spring 1986)

São Félix do Araguaia, Mato Grosso, and Santa Izabel do Morro, Goiás, Brazil: Karajá verbal arts (Nov. 1985)

Zuni, New Mexico (summers 1982, 1983)

Chichicastenango, Chinique, San Pedro Jocopilas, and Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Guatemala: K’iche’ survey ethnography (summer 1979)

Ibadan, Oshogbo, Ife, and Iwo, Nigeria: Yoruba spoken and written verbal arts (summer 1978)

Momostenango, Guatemala: K’iche’ linguistics, verbal arts, ethnological interpretation of the Popol Vuh (summer 1975, calendar year 1976)

Zuni, New Mexico (summer 1973)

Gallup, New Mexico: sociolinguistics in a quadrilingual urban community (summer 1972)

Zuni, New Mexico: Zuni linguistics, ethnography of speaking, religion, world view (1964–66, 1969–70, summer 1971)

Elton, Louisiana: Koasati linguistics (spring 1963)

Paiute Mesa, Utah: Pueblo III archaeology and Navajo ethnography (summer 1962)

Pottery Mound, New Mexico: Pueblo IV archaeology (summers 1956, 1957, 1959)

Academic programs initiated

Center for the Americas at the University at Buffalo, offering BA, MA, and PhD degrees in American Studies. With John Mohawk, redesigned the curriculum to embrace all the Americas with Indigenous Studies at the center (2001–2002).

Poetics Program at the University at Buffalo, combining year-long programs of public events with graduate education. Co-founder with Charles Bernstein, Robert Bertholf, Robert Creeley, Raymond Federman, and Susan Howe (1991).

Translation Seminar at Boston University, combining graduate education with weekly public presentations by published translators. Co-founder and planner with Rodolfo Cardona, Donald Carne-Ross, and Herbert Mason (1979).

Administration

Co-director (with John Mohawk), Center for the Americas, University at Buffalo (2001–2003)

Core Faculty, Poetics Program, University at Buffalo (1991–present)

Chair, Dept. of Anthropology, Boston University (1981–85)

Acting Chair, Dept. of Anthropology, Boston University (1979–80)

Executive Committee, Dept. of Anthropology, Boston University (1974–75)

Policy Committee, University Professors Program, Boston University (1973–87)

Admissions Officer, University Professors Program, Boston University (1973–75)

Advisory roles

Museum of Writing Project, based in the Institute of English Studies at the University of London and the UCLA Library: Advisory Board (2010–present)

PEN Translation Committee (2010–present)

Maya Conservancy, Antigua, Guatemala: Advisory Board (2010–present)

WGBH, Annenberg Media, and Seftel Productions: consultant for the Popol Vuh segment of Works of the World (tentative title), a thirteen-part documentary on world literature (2010­–present)

Popol Wuj online project, Ohio State University College of Humanities: Board of Directors (2008–present)

Night Fire Films, Los Angeles, consultant for The City and the Stars: Space and Time in the Mayan World, documentary film in the planning stage (2008–present)

Journal of Shamanic Practice: Editorial board (2007–present)

Museum of International Folk Art / Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe: Research Associate (2006–present)

PEN New Mexico board member (2005–present)

Poetry in Endangered Languages Initiative, sponsored by City Lore, Poets House, and the Bowery Poetry Club in New York City (2003–present)

Modern Language Association Publications Committee (2001­–2004)

Ipu Ha‘a New Century Public Charter School, Anahola, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i. Consultant to members of the board on the teaching of Hawaiian language and culture (2001)

CR: The New Centennial Review. Published by Michigan State University and the University at Buffalo. Editorial board (2000–2009)

Night Fire Films, Los Angeles, consultant for Breaking the Maya Code, a public television series funded by NEH and NSF (1999–2008)

National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, exhibit plan vetting committee (1997)

Ancient Prophecies, NBC Television specials produced by Greystone Productions (Los Angeles), consultant and narrator for Mayan segment (1995)

American Anthropological Association, ex-officio participation in section assembly meetings and various committees as co-editor of American Anthropologist (1994–98)

Modern Language Association, Folklore and Literature Discussion Group, executive committee (1991–95)

Legacy, public television series produced by Central Television (London) and Maryland Public Television, consultant for the “Burden of Time” segment (1991–92)

Series in Native American Literatures. Books published by Smithsonian Institution Press. Editorial advisory board (1990–present)

National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington: Translations Program grants panel (1990)

National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington: Translations Program grants panel (1986)

WGBH, Boston: The Spider’s Web, series of radio programs dramatizing mythology, funded by NEH (1983–85)

Voices, Inc. (Pasadena): Mythology for Broadcast, public radio project funded by NEH (1980–81)

Memberships

Academy of American Poets

American Anthropological Association (Fellow)

Analytic Psychology Society of Western New York

Buffalo Audubon Society

Guatemala Scholars Network

International Society for Folk Narrative Research

Modern Language Association

Museum of New Mexico Foundation

PEN (Poets-Essayists-Novelists) American Center

Roycrofters-at-Large Association

Scientific and Medical Network (London)

Society for Humanistic Anthropology

Society for Linguistic Anthropology

Society for Shamanic Practitioners

Society for Visual Anthropology

United University Professions

Presentations

Lectures

University of Texas at Austin, Dept. of Spanish and Portuguese (2012)

University of Chicago, Program in Poetry and Poetics (2011)

Rochester Institute of Technology, School of Print Media (with Barbara Tedlock, 2011)

Meridian Gallery, San Francisco: introduction to exhibition, An Archaeology of Architecture (2011)

Smithsonian Institution, in the series of programs offered by the Smithsonian Associates, Washington, DC (2010)

Amarillo College, Creative Mind Humanities Lecture Series, Amarillo, Texas (2007)

East West Bookstore, Mountain View, California (2006)

Cultural Integration Fellowship, San Francisco (2006)

School of American Research, Santa Fe, colloquium series (2006)

Tulane University, Middle American Research Institute (2005)

University of New Orleans, Dept. of Anthropology (2005)

University of Southern California, Dept. of Anthropology (2003)

School of American Research, Santa Fe, colloquium series (2002)

University of Miami, Depts. of History and Anthropology (2002)

School of American Research, Santa Fe, colloquium Series (2001)

Ancona School, Chicago (1999)

Harvard University, Native American Program (1999)

Boston University, University Professors Program (1999)

Harvard University, Longfellow Institute Seminar on Translating the Literatures of the United States into English (1998)

University of Minnesota, Dept. of Theatre and Dance (1998)

Hartwick College (Oneonta, New York), NEH lecture series on the Maya (1998)

University at Albany / State University of New York, Institute for Mesoamerican Studies (1996)

University of Virginia, Dept. of Anthropology (1995)

Cornell University, University Lecture (with Barbara Tedlock, 1994)

Wells College (Aurora, New York), Beckman Lecture (with Barbara Tedlock, 1994)

Harper San Francisco, staff luncheon speaker (1993)

Amarillo College and West Texas State University, Faculty Enrichment Seminar on Aztec, Maya and Pueblo American Indians (1993)

University of Chicago, Workshop on Poetry and Poetics Across Cultures (1992)

Baruch College / City University of New York, Dept. of English (1991)

University of Wisconsin, Dept. of English (1990)

Brown University, Dept. of Anthropology, Dept. of Music, Dept. of American Civilization, and Latin American Studies Program (1990)

University of Chicago, Dept. of Anthropology (1989)

Analytical Psychology Society of Western New York, Buffalo (public lecture, 1989)

Harvard University, Center for the Study of World Religions (1989)

University of Maryland at College Park, Dept. of Spanish and Portuguese, 1992 Lecture Series (1988)

Yale University, Dept. of Art History (1987)

Institute for Advanced Study, School of Social Science, lecture series (1987)

Rutgers University, Dept. of Anthropology (1987)

Princeton University, Dept. of Anthropology (1987)

Rice University, Dept. of Anthropology (1987)

University at Albany / State University of New York, Dept. of Anthropology (1987)

University at Buffalo / State University of New York, Dept. of English (1987)

Baruch College / City University of New York, Latin American Studies Program (1987)

National Endowment for the Humanities, staff luncheon speaker, Washington (1986)

Columbia University, Oral History Research Office (1986)

Institute for Advanced Study, School of Social Science, hermeneutics seminar (1986)

Arizona State University, Dept. of Anthropology (1986)

Institute for Advanced Study, School of Social Science, translation seminar (1985)

University of California at Los Angeles, Harry Hoijer Lecture in Anthropology (1984)

University at Albany / State University of New York, Dept. of Anthropology (1984)

Tufts University, Dept. of English (1982)

Emory University, Dept. of Anthropology (1982)

University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg School of Communications (1982)

University of Texas at Austin, Dept. of Anthropology (1981)

Cornell University, Dept. of Anthropology (1981)

Rhode Island School of Design, Dept. of Graphics (1980)

University of New Mexico, Harvey Lecture in Anthropology (1979)

New School for Social Research, Dept. of Anthropology (1978)

Witter Bynner Poetry Foundation board meeting, Boston (1978)

Tufts University, Dept. of English (1975)

Brown University, Dept. of Anthropology (1973)

University of California at Los Angeles, Dept. of Anthropology (1973)

California Institute for the Arts (1973)

University of Pittsburgh, Dept. of Anthropology (1973)

University of Pennsylvania, Dept. of Folklore (1972)

Wesleyan University (Middletown, Connecticut), Dept. of Anthropology (1971)

Papers given at meetings

American Anthropological Association, New Orleans: presenter (2010)

American Anthropological Association, Philadelphia: presenter (2009)

American Anthropological Association , San Francisco: presenter (2008)

American Anthropological Association, Washington: presenter and discussant (2007)

American Anthropological Association, San Jose: discussant (2006)

American Anthropological Association, Washington, DC: presenter (2005)

American Anthropological Association, Atlanta: presenter (2004)

American Anthropological Association, Chicago: presenter (2003)

American Anthropological Association, New Orleans: presenter (2002)

American Anthropological Association, San Francisco: discussant (2000)

Latin American Indian Literatures Association / Asociación de Literaturas Indígenas Latinoamericanas, Washington, DC: presenter (2000)

American Anthropological Association, Philadelphia: discussant (1998)

American Anthropological Association, Washington: presenter (1997)

American Anthropological Association, San Francisco: presenter (1996)

American Anthropological Association, Washington: discussant (1995)

American Anthropological Association, Atlanta: presenter (1994)

Modern Language Association, San Diego: organized one session, presented in another (1994)

Association for the Study of Dreams, Santa Fe (1993)

Northeast Modern Language Association, Buffalo: presenter (1992)

American Anthropological Association, San Francisco: presenter and discussant (1992)

American Anthropological Association, Chicago: presenter and discussant (1991)

American Anthropological Association, New Orleans: chair of session, presenter, and roundtable luncheon host (1990)

Modern Language Association, Chicago: presenter (1990)

American Anthropological Association, Phoenix: presenter (1988)

American Anthropological Association, Chicago: roundtable luncheon host (1987)

PEN, symposium moderator, New York (1986)

American Anthropological Association, Philadelphia: chair of session and presenter (1986)

American Anthropological Association, Denver: session co-organizer and chair (1984)

American Psychoanalytic Association, Interdisciplinary Colloquium, Salem, Connecticut (1983)

American Anthropological Association, Chicago: presenter (1983)

American Anthropological Association, Washington: discussant (1982)

Boston Linguistic Anthropology Circle (1981)

Modern Language Association, New York: presenter (1981)

Speech Communication Association, San Antonio: plenary address (1979)

Northeastern Anthropological Association, Henniker, New Hampshire: presenter (1979)

American Society for Ethnohistory, Albany: presenter (1979)

American Anthropological Association, Los Angeles: presenter (1978)

Organization of American Historians, Chicago: address (1973)

American Anthropological Association, New Orleans: chair of session (1973)

Northeast Modern Language Association, Boston: presenter (1973)

American Folklore Society, Austin: presenter (1972)

California Folklore Society, Berkeley: chair of session (1968)

American Anthropological Association, Denver: presenter (1965)

Participation in conferences

Rochester Institute of Technology: The Future of Literacy: Provocations, Predictions, Possibilities, plenary speaker (2010)

Ohio State University, Center for Latin American Studies and Department of Spanish and Portuguese: The Popol Wuj at OSU: A Celebration of the Mayan Classic (2010)

University at Buffalo, Poetics Program: Olson @ the Century: An Archival and Projective Reconsideration (2010)