Maya Jaguar

Administrator — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:29:24 +0000

This carved stome jaguar is a ritual carving in a Maya temple at Chichen Itza, Mexico. In the 9th or 10th century AD body parts of sacrificial victims were placed on this stone, as offerings to the gods. The Maya learned blood rituals from the Mexicans, since there is no evidence of it in early Maya sites. Chichen Itza was a probably a Toltec city that was later overrun by lowland Maya fleeing severe drought. The city was already well past its prime before the European invaders arrived in the 16th century.

Mayan God Maximon

Administrator — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:47:11 +0000

— from jim_skreech

Maximón is a saint worshipped in various forms by Maya people of several towns in the highlands of Western Guatemala. The origins of his cult are not very well understood by outsiders to the different Mayan religions, but Maximón is believed to be a form of the pre-Colombian Maya god Mam, blended with influences from Catholicism. Maximón may also be called San Simón. Originally, he was believed to be a Catholic priest who had looked after aboriginals during early 1600s. Where Maximón is venerated, he is represented by an effigy which resides in a different house each year, being moved in a procession during Holy Week. During the rest of the year, devotees visit Maximón in his chosen residence, where his shrine is usually attended by two people from the representing Cofradia who keep the shrine in order and pass offerings from visitors to the effigy. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes to gain his favour in exchange for good health, good crops, and marriage counseling, amongst other favours. The effigy invariably has a lit cigarette or cigar in its mouth, and in some places, it will have a hole in its mouth to allow the attendants to give it spirits to drink. Maximón is generally dressed in European 18th century style, although with many local variations. In Santiago Atitlán he is adorned with many colourful garlands, while in Zunil (where he is known as San Simón) he has a much more intimidating style, with his face obscured by dark sunglasses and a bandana. The worship of Maximón treats him not so much as a benevolent deity as a bit of a bully whom it’s wise to keep on the right side of. He is also known to be a link between Xibalbá The Underworld and Bitol Corazón del Cielo. His expensive tastes in alcohol and cigarettes indicate that he is a very human character, very different from the ascetic ideals of Christian sainthood. Devotees believe that prayers for revenge, or success at the expense of others, are likely to be granted by Maximón.

You can see a video about Maximon at Santiago Atitlan.

Technorati Tags: Maximon, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

Maya Weaving from Guatemala

Administrator — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:30:05 +0000

Popular Maya patterns on a piece of cloth from Guatemala. The Maya are some of the best weavers in the world, using a backstrap loom.

More Maya photos

Technorati Tags: Maya, weaving, Guatemala, Central America