The population of the Maya people includes 4 to
6 million natives, making them the largest indigenous group in all of Latin
America. The Mayans of today occupy the same zones in which their ancestors
lived before, between these territories they are distinguished: Mexico, Belize,
Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The religiosity in Latin America and,
above all, in the territories inhabited by the Mayans reaches a high level and
seems to be a very significant factor in the image of everything that surrounds
them. Beliefs, which have survived since the times of the ancient Maya are
present in today’s life and spirit at every step. But, on the other hand, they
consider their customs and religion as something that embarrasses them.
Therefore, it may surprise the impact of
religion on the life they lead. At the beginning, it is worth explaining their
religion that consists of a mixture of the Catholic symbols with those of the
pre-Columbian religion of their ancestors. To illustrate it better, the
Catholic cross appears very often in different situations but has nothing to do
with the symbolic of Jesus as in the Christian culture. In addition, the prayer
sites that are usually made up of small huts, attribute to certain saints, p.
ex. to San Miguel. This presents another element of the Catholic religion.
We can say that the Mayans perceive the world through
their cyclical calendar. Thanks to it, we are able to understand them better.
The Mayan calendar presents a cycle repeating itself every 52 years. Then
everything in the life of the Mayans its a cycle, so what you need to know
about them is that, every day means something new. Each day corresponds to a
different god and they usually ask him to bring good luck by lighting the right
candles for that day. The cyclical calender affects also another activity which
they do every single day. In this way, they do not know how to live in the past,
yesterday it does not matter, they do not remember it, they live daily, the
only thing they appreciate is now and here. The indigenous of Mexico continue
to believe in various gods, each of them is related to different aspects of
life, and have different attributes, for example, the god of wind, rain or corn
is a major part of agruculture Maya. To describe all their gods I would need a
lot of space here, but I am sure if you are interested in the topic, you will
check it by your own.
I’m going to continue this topic in my another
post, so see you soon! :D
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