Maximón is a saint worshipped in various forms by Maya people of several towns in the highlands of Western Guatemala. A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity The Maya peoples constitute a diverse range of the Native American peoples of southern Mexico and northern Central America. The term highland is used to denote any Mountainous region or elevated mountainous Plateau. Guatemala (República de Guatemala) is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west the Pacific Ocean to the southwest
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. This article does not discuss "cult" in the original sense of "veneration" or "religious practice" for that usage see Cult (religious practice The pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance of significant European influences As a Christian Ecclesiastical term Catholic —from the Greek adjective, meaning "general" or "universal"—is described 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. An effigy is a representation of a person especially in the form of Sculpture. Holy Week ( Latin: Hebdomada Sancta or Maior Hebdomada, "Greater Week" in Christianity is the last week before Easter. 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. A shrine, from the Latin scrinium (‘box’ also used as a desk like the French bureau) was originally a container usually made of precious materials used Cofradia is a town in northwestern Honduras, in the Naco Valley 24 km from the city of San Pedro Sula. 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. Money is anything that is generally accepted as Payment for Goods and services and repayment of Debts. A cigar is a tightly rolled bundle of dried and fermented Tobacco which is ignited so that its smoke may be drawn into the smoker's mouth A cigarette ( French "small Cigar " from cigar + -ette) is a product consumed through Smoking and manufactured 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. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system 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. Santiago Atitlán is a Municipality in the Sololá department of Guatemala. Zunil is a Municipality in the Quetzaltenango department of Guatemala with surface area of 92 sq
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. Ascetic redirects here You might also be looking for Acetic acid. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Devotees believe that prayers for revenge, or success at the expense of others, are likely to be granted by Maximón.
See also
External links
- An online shrine to Maximón
- Maximón House in Cadiz.Spain
- Visiting The Maximón - a photo essay
- Photo Maximón worship
- A Maximon shrine in Antigua, Guatemala
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