Bell Ringer #1: (B) Bell Ringer #1: (B) 4/18/114/18/11When the Mayans suddenly disappeared, When the Mayans suddenly disappeared,

they left behind an unknown writing they left behind an unknown writing system, monuments, artifacts, etc. leaving system, monuments, artifacts, etc. leaving archeologists with several questions about archeologists with several questions about their cultures, beliefs, and intelligence.their cultures, beliefs, and intelligence.

Why do you think an entire civilization of Why do you think an entire civilization of people disappear into the jungle? What people disappear into the jungle? What type of people do you think the Mayans type of people do you think the Mayans were? How do you imagine they lived were? How do you imagine they lived their daily lives? Explain your answer!their daily lives? Explain your answer!

THE POPUL VUHTHE POPUL VUH

The Popul VuhThe Popul Vuh

The greatest surviving Mayan document. The greatest surviving Mayan document. It was written anonymously in the Mayan It was written anonymously in the Mayan

language using the Latin alphabet language using the Latin alphabet between 1554 and 1558.between 1554 and 1558.

Scholars believe this document is either a Scholars believe this document is either a translation of a manuscript in the ancient translation of a manuscript in the ancient Mayan hieroglyphic language or a Mayan hieroglyphic language or a collection of stories and songs recorded collection of stories and songs recorded directly from the Mayan oral tradition.directly from the Mayan oral tradition.

The Popol VuhThe Popol Vuh In about 1700, a Catholic missionary translated In about 1700, a Catholic missionary translated

The Popol Vuh The Popol Vuh into Spanishinto Spanish He spoke the Mayan language fluently, and he He spoke the Mayan language fluently, and he

persuaded the Maya to show him this manuscript persuaded the Maya to show him this manuscript of their ancient history.of their ancient history.

There is no record that any other Spaniard ever There is no record that any other Spaniard ever saw the Mayan document.saw the Mayan document.

The Spanish manuscript disappeared for 150 The Spanish manuscript disappeared for 150 years.years.

In the 1850s, it was discovered in the library of the In the 1850s, it was discovered in the library of the University of San Carlos in Guatemala City and University of San Carlos in Guatemala City and was first published in Vienna in 1857.was first published in Vienna in 1857.

The Popol VuhThe Popol Vuh

It reveals more than the talent of the It reveals more than the talent of the anonymous recorder.anonymous recorder.

It reflects the thoughts and values of this It reflects the thoughts and values of this ancient people and the ability of their ancient people and the ability of their language to express them.language to express them.

The language and some of the ideas are The language and some of the ideas are similar to the opening chapters of the Old similar to the opening chapters of the Old Testament. This is not surprising, given the Testament. This is not surprising, given the fact that Spanish missionaries were already fact that Spanish missionaries were already teaching the Maya about Christianty when teaching the Maya about Christianty when The Popul Vuh The Popul Vuh was being recorded.was being recorded.

Things to consider:Things to consider:

Compare the type of human beings Compare the type of human beings the Maya gods wished to create and the Maya gods wished to create and the relationship between these gods the relationship between these gods and their people with those of other and their people with those of other creation myths.creation myths.

Writing Assignment:Writing Assignment:You can only imagine the excitement when You can only imagine the excitement when

the “lost” translation of the “lost” translation of The Popul VuhThe Popul Vuh was discovered in the 1850s. was discovered in the 1850s.

Your job today is create an archeologist’s Your job today is create an archeologist’s profile of the Mayan people based on their profile of the Mayan people based on their creation myth. creation myth.

What do you infer about the Mayan What do you infer about the Mayan people?people?

What did they worship?What did they worship? What were the goals of their society?What were the goals of their society? What were the like?What were the like?

The MayansThe Mayans

Mayan World ViewMayan World ViewCreation MythCreation Myth

ReligionReligionGods and GoddessesGods and Goddesses

Mayan World ViewMayan World View

Maya conceived of the earth as flat Maya conceived of the earth as flat and four-cornered.and four-cornered.

Each corner had a color valueEach corner had a color value East-RedEast-Red White-NorthWhite-North Black-WestBlack-West Yellow-SouthYellow-South

Center-Blue-GreenCenter-Blue-Green

World SupportsWorld Supports

Each corner was held up by four Each corner was held up by four Powahtuns (old deities)Powahtuns (old deities)

The sky was held up by four Bakabs The sky was held up by four Bakabs (Human/Atlantean figures) of the (Human/Atlantean figures) of the correct color for each direction.correct color for each direction.

Although sometimes these are Although sometimes these are represented as trees.represented as trees.

MAYAN RELIGIONMAYAN RELIGION

Mayan Religion    Mayan Religion    

Religion was important to every part of Religion was important to every part of Mayan life.  Mayan life.  

The Mayas worshipped many different The Mayas worshipped many different gods.  Each day, month, city, and gods.  Each day, month, city, and occupation had its own special god or occupation had its own special god or goddess.  goddess.  

The Mayas had a variety of religious The Mayas had a variety of religious festivals and celebrations.  Most of these festivals and celebrations.  Most of these celebrations included human sacrifice.celebrations included human sacrifice.

•Each Mayan city -state had a ruler called the halach uinic.  He may have also served as the high priest during religious ceremonies.

•The Mayans believed halach uinic was a living god.  He ruled until his death.  At his death, his oldest son became the next halach uinic.   If the halach uinic did not have a son, his brother would rule.  If  he did not have a brother, the ruler's council elected a member of his family to serve.   

•The halach uinic dressed in elaborate and colorful clothes.  He also wore a very large head-dress.  Temple wall paintings show him with large ear decorations, crossed eyes, and many tattoos.

http://www.spanishome.com/mayas/religion.htm

PriestsPriests Many other priests served with the halach uinic.  Many other priests served with the halach uinic.   These priests, named These priests, named ahkin ahkin performed many performed many

duties.  duties.   They had the knowledge of mathematics and They had the knowledge of mathematics and

astronomy.  Some of the ahkin performed medical astronomy.  Some of the ahkin performed medical rituals.  rituals.  

The Mayans believed that only the priests could The Mayans believed that only the priests could explain the mysteries of life and death.  explain the mysteries of life and death.  

They thought earth was on the back of a crocodile They thought earth was on the back of a crocodile that floated in a large pond.  At another time they that floated in a large pond.  At another time they believed the earth was the floor of a lizard house. believed the earth was the floor of a lizard house.    

Mayan WorldsMayan Worlds

The Mayas' religion taught that there The Mayas' religion taught that there were 13 layers of heavens above the were 13 layers of heavens above the earth.  earth.  

They also believed nine underworlds They also believed nine underworlds were below.  They thought that they were below.  They thought that they lived in the fifth creation of the world.  lived in the fifth creation of the world.  

The previous four worlds had been The previous four worlds had been destroyed by a great flood.  destroyed by a great flood.  

At the beginning of the fifth world, the At the beginning of the fifth world, the gods created humans from corn. gods created humans from corn.

Sacrifices and Blood Sacrifices and Blood OfferingsOfferings

Many of the Mayas religious ceremonies Many of the Mayas religious ceremonies included gifts and sacrifices to the various included gifts and sacrifices to the various gods and goddesses.  The Mayans believed gods and goddesses.  The Mayans believed the gods would give factors to them in the gods would give factors to them in return for prayers, offerings, and sacrifices.return for prayers, offerings, and sacrifices.

In many ceremonies, the priests cut In many ceremonies, the priests cut themselves to get blood to present to the themselves to get blood to present to the gods.  gods.  

Other people like the king and high-ranking Other people like the king and high-ranking elite would pierce their tongues, or in the elite would pierce their tongues, or in the case of men, pierce their foreskin with a case of men, pierce their foreskin with a stingray spine.stingray spine.

  

RitualsRituals

The Mayan ritual acts were The Mayan ritual acts were generally dictated by the sacred generally dictated by the sacred almanac.almanac.

The numbers 4, 9, 13 and the color The numbers 4, 9, 13 and the color directions are prominent.directions are prominent.

Before the rituals there are usually Before the rituals there are usually periods of sexual abstinence and periods of sexual abstinence and food taboos.food taboos.

Two women drawing thorn-Two women drawing thorn-ropes through their ropes through their

tongues. tongues.

http://www.northstar.k12.ak.us/schools/tan/projects/mayan/relegion.html

SacrificesSacrifices The Mayas had several methods of giving The Mayas had several methods of giving

the human sacrifices.  the human sacrifices.   Often, the priests took the victim to the altar at Often, the priests took the victim to the altar at

the temple.  Then the priests cut the heart out of the temple.  Then the priests cut the heart out of the living victim and presented it to the god.the living victim and presented it to the god.

In another method, the priests tied the victim to a In another method, the priests tied the victim to a wooden pole.  Then they threw spears and arrows wooden pole.  Then they threw spears and arrows at the victim's chest in the area of the heart.at the victim's chest in the area of the heart.

The priests were assisted by four old men, The priests were assisted by four old men, called “Chacs”.called “Chacs”.

Post-ClassicPost-Classic In the third type of sacrifice, they threw the In the third type of sacrifice, they threw the

victim into a sacred well.  the most famous of victim into a sacred well.  the most famous of these wells is the Well of Sacrifices at these wells is the Well of Sacrifices at Chichén Itzá.  Chichén Itzá.  

If victims survived the fall and did not drown, If victims survived the fall and did not drown, the priests pulled them back out of the well. the priests pulled them back out of the well.  The Mayas believed the gods had chosen to  The Mayas believed the gods had chosen to spare these victims.  spare these victims.  

The priests then asked the victims what The priests then asked the victims what messages they brought back from the gods. messages they brought back from the gods.  The victims received special treatment from  The victims received special treatment from then on since the Mayas believed they had then on since the Mayas believed they had spoken to the gods.spoken to the gods.

Sacred CenoteSacred Cenote

http://www.mysteriousplaces.com/mayan/Cenote.html

Sacred Cenote at Sacred Cenote at Chichen ItzaChichen Itza

This view of the wall of the cenote shows how high it is from the water (72 feet). It also shows the green algae that guards the secret of its contents.The walls visible here are made of limestone. http://www.isourcecom.com/maya/cities/chichenitza/cenoteside.htm

AncestorsAncestors

The Mayas also worshipped the The Mayas also worshipped the dead.  They believed the dead dead.  They believed the dead became one with the gods.  became one with the gods.  

They worshipped their ancestors at They worshipped their ancestors at many religious ceremonies.  many religious ceremonies.  

They also built pyramids over the They also built pyramids over the sacred remains of their dead rulers.sacred remains of their dead rulers.

Mayan Gods and Mayan Gods and GoddessesGoddesses

Pre-Conquest codices mention Pre-Conquest codices mention approximately 30.approximately 30.

Post-Conquest manuscripts “Ritual Post-Conquest manuscripts “Ritual of the Bakabs” (18of the Bakabs” (18thth c) depicts 166 c) depicts 166 deities.deities.

ITZAMNÁITZAMNÁ

He was the head god, lord He was the head god, lord of the heavens and lord of of the heavens and lord of the night and day.  the night and day.  

His name meant lizard. His name meant lizard.  Carved pictures show  Carved pictures show him as an old crossed-him as an old crossed-eyed man, and sometimes eyed man, and sometimes with a lizard's body.  The with a lizard's body.  The Mayas believed he Mayas believed he invented books and invented books and writing.writing.

KINICH AHUAUKINICH AHUAU

He was the sun god and the god of He was the sun god and the god of the rulers.the rulers.

CHACCHAC

He was the rain god.  Carvings show him He was the rain god.  Carvings show him as a reptile with a large nose pointing down as a reptile with a large nose pointing down and curling fangs.  He had four aspects:and curling fangs.  He had four aspects:

Chac Xib Chac Chac Xib Chac Red Chac of the East Red Chac of the East Sac Xib Chac Sac Xib Chac White Chac of the North White Chac of the North Ek Xib Chac Ek Xib Chac Black Chac of the West Black Chac of the West Kan Xib Chac Kan Xib Chac Yellow Chac of the South Yellow Chac of the South

YUN KAAXYUN KAAX

He is the god of maize (corn) and He is the god of maize (corn) and agriculture.  agriculture.  

Pictures always show him as a young Pictures always show him as a young man either carrying a plant or has a man either carrying a plant or has a plant as a headdress.plant as a headdress.

AH PUCHAH PUCH

He is the god of death.  Carvings of He is the god of death.  Carvings of him show a skull and skeleton.him show a skull and skeleton.

EK CHAUBEK CHAUB

He is the god of trade.  Mayan He is the god of trade.  Mayan artists painted his face black and he artists painted his face black and he had a drooping lower lip.had a drooping lower lip.

IX CHELIX CHEL

She is the moon and rainbow She is the moon and rainbow goddess.  She is also the goddess of goddess.  She is also the goddess of weaving and childbirth.weaving and childbirth.

Wife of Itzamna.Wife of Itzamna.

BULUC CHABTANBULUC CHABTAN

He is the god of war and human He is the god of war and human sacrifice. Carvings of him show a sacrifice. Carvings of him show a black line around his eye and down black line around his eye and down onto his cheek.  He is at times shown onto his cheek.  He is at times shown with a torch or weapon in his hand.with a torch or weapon in his hand.

Minor Gods and Minor Gods and GoddessesGoddesses Cit Bolon Tum: a god of Medicine. Cit Bolon Tum: a god of Medicine.

Ekahau: the god of Travelers and Merchants. Ekahau: the god of Travelers and Merchants. Ixtab: the goddess of the Hanged. She receives Ixtab: the goddess of the Hanged. She receives

their souls into paradise.their souls into paradise. Kan-u-Uayeyab: the god who guarded cities.Kan-u-Uayeyab: the god who guarded cities. Kinich Kakmo: the Sun god symbolized by the Kinich Kakmo: the Sun god symbolized by the

Macaw.Macaw. Mitnal: Mitnal was the underworld hell where the Mitnal: Mitnal was the underworld hell where the

wicked were tortured.wicked were tortured. Nacon: Nacon was the god of War. Nacon: Nacon was the god of War. Tzultacaj (Tzuultaq'ah): For the Mayan Indians of Tzultacaj (Tzuultaq'ah): For the Mayan Indians of

central Guatemala, known as Kekchí, this was the central Guatemala, known as Kekchí, this was the god of the mountains and valleys.god of the mountains and valleys.

Yaxche: Yaxche is the Tree of Heaven under which Yaxche: Yaxche is the Tree of Heaven under which good souls rejoice.good souls rejoice.

Writing Assignment:Writing Assignment:Rituals, games, buildings, artwork, etc. from Rituals, games, buildings, artwork, etc. from

the Mayan culture were tied into their the Mayan culture were tied into their belief system concerning the gods, belief system concerning the gods, astronomy, calendar system, etc. astronomy, calendar system, etc.

Your task is to design a building, calendar, Your task is to design a building, calendar, mural, etc. that could have been used in mural, etc. that could have been used in Mayan worship or cultural interest. Mayan worship or cultural interest.

Be sure to include both a picture and Be sure to include both a picture and EXPLANATION that describes why the EXPLANATION that describes why the Mayan would use this as a part of their Mayan would use this as a part of their daily life.daily life.