Shamans, Witches, and Maya Priests: Native Religion and Ritual in Highland GuatemalaEnlivened with 102 photographs and 50 figures and maps, Shamans, Witches, and Maya Priests explores the "old ways" that still prevail in the Q'anjob'al, Akatek, and Chuj communities of the remote northwestern Cuchumatán Mountains. Krystyna Deuss provides vivid descriptions and images of the traditional rites and rituals she witnessed during fifteen years of fieldwork. These sacred moments include blood sacrifices for the good of the community and private shamanic rituals--as well as black magic. Deuss also includes a selection of the prayers she recorded. |
Common terms and phrases
accompanied Ajaw altar alusel Antonio Simón arch arrived asked b'ay Bearer bundle burning candles Calvario celebrated ceremony chest Chimbán Chinax chirimía chirimía player church coffee costumbre cross dance Day Lord December Doña Ana donations elders ex-Prayersayer Farge father feet festival four Francisco front Gaspar Guatemala hamlet hands Huehuetenango huipil hydrangeas Jolom Konob Jolom Witz K'iche komam León maize mamin marimba Maya Mayan Languages mayor mentor mexhon morning mountains o'clock ocote ordenanza house Oyeb Pascual patio Pedro pichi pray prayer round Prayersayer Prayersayer's house Prayersayer's wife priests principales Q'anjob'al Rafael La Independencia rain regidor returned rituals sacred sacrifice Saint Michael San Juan Ixcoy San Mateo Ixtatán San Miguel Acatán San Rafael San Sebastián Coatán Santa Eulalia shaman shrine sitting Soloma souls tinani told Tomás took town traditional traditionalists Victor village walked winh women Xemalito Yalan