this book emerges from intriguing paradoxes of stability and change in the lives of individuals as well as of communities — that is, both theirdestinies and developments.
The foundations of the book began 35 years ago when I met Encarnación (Chona) Pérez, the renowned sacred Mayan midwife. I was interviewing her as a prominent local expert for my research on childrearing practices in the Mayan town of San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala. Chona and I began working on the book itself about 20 years ago. It has transformed its shape numerous times in the meantime, but the story kept insisting on being written

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