This Kapow pupil video is part of the Kapow History scheme of work. It tells the story of the Hero Twins from ancient Maya mythology and how they helped shape the world. In the beginning, there was no sun or moon. A character named Seven Macaw claimed to be both, but the Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque, defeated him by shooting him with darts.

The twins were the sons of Hun Hunahpu, who had been killed by the lords of the underworld. The Hero Twins challenged these lords to a ball game, hoping to bring their father back to life. After passing many dangerous trials, they won the game and their father was reborn as the Maize God. The Hero Twins then rose into the sky and became the sun and the moon. Finally, the gods created true human beings from corn – an important food in Maya life – bringing lasting humanity into the world.

The video is designed to be shown to pupils as part of History, Mixed-age, New for 24/25: Y3/4 (B): How did the achievements of the ancient Maya impact their society and beyond? Y3/4 (B): Lesson 3: What did the ancient Maya believe?