The Olmecs, known mostly for their heads, were a Mesoamerican culture. Known as the 'mother culture of Mesoamerica' , they were the foundation for all other Mesoamerican cultures. They were the first to develop writing, cities, a social hierarchy, and the Mesoamerican ball game.
A Poem:
I am from the Olmec Heartland
I am from the Gulf Coast lowlands of Mexcio
From the states of Tabasco and Veracruz
From La Venta and San Lorenzo
And leaving one for the other
With outposts at Laguana de los Cerros and Tres Zapotes
I am from the Great Pyramid at La Venta
And the spirit of kings standing guard
I am from treks to Teotihuacan
To get the jade and obsidian
From the wet embrace of the swamps
And the roar of the ocean in our ears
I am from the cultra madre
The mother culture of Mesoamerica
From the foundation for everyone who followed
I was first
I am from the gray heads of our ancestors guarding our cities
Some say from over the ocean
Some say from beyond the grave
And from the Were-Jaguar, fiercest creature
From the Olmec Dragon, the Bird Monster, the Fish (or Shark) Monster, the Banded-eye God,
the Maize God, the Water God, the Were-Jaguar and the Feathered Serpent
And feeding them their due on the basalt altar
From blood shed freely to help all
And the king’s blessing
I am from the ball game
Spread from us
Large rubber balls painfully hit off any way you could
And the losers cry
I am from the whimper, barely concealed, on festival days
From the sharp, tangy smell of blood
Mixing with the sweet smell of dried maize
Or fried or ground or fresh
All options open
I am from the rough, dark scrape of basalt
Looming like it erupted there
For who could move it from so far away?
And the smooth feel of jade
Polished from years of prayer
From the glassy cut of obsidian
I am from the scalloped steps of the Great Pyramid
Trying to reach the Bird Monster
From the careful look of the Were-Jaguar
I am from the Olmec Heartland
A Poem:
I am from the Olmec Heartland
I am from the Gulf Coast lowlands of Mexcio
From the states of Tabasco and Veracruz
From La Venta and San Lorenzo
And leaving one for the other
With outposts at Laguana de los Cerros and Tres Zapotes
I am from the Great Pyramid at La Venta
And the spirit of kings standing guard
I am from treks to Teotihuacan
To get the jade and obsidian
From the wet embrace of the swamps
And the roar of the ocean in our ears
I am from the cultra madre
The mother culture of Mesoamerica
From the foundation for everyone who followed
I was first
I am from the gray heads of our ancestors guarding our cities
Some say from over the ocean
Some say from beyond the grave
And from the Were-Jaguar, fiercest creature
From the Olmec Dragon, the Bird Monster, the Fish (or Shark) Monster, the Banded-eye God,
the Maize God, the Water God, the Were-Jaguar and the Feathered Serpent
And feeding them their due on the basalt altar
From blood shed freely to help all
And the king’s blessing
I am from the ball game
Spread from us
Large rubber balls painfully hit off any way you could
And the losers cry
I am from the whimper, barely concealed, on festival days
From the sharp, tangy smell of blood
Mixing with the sweet smell of dried maize
Or fried or ground or fresh
All options open
I am from the rough, dark scrape of basalt
Looming like it erupted there
For who could move it from so far away?
And the smooth feel of jade
Polished from years of prayer
From the glassy cut of obsidian
I am from the scalloped steps of the Great Pyramid
Trying to reach the Bird Monster
From the careful look of the Were-Jaguar
I am from the Olmec Heartland