Maximón

Maximon is described aptly by Professor W. Ikipedia:

¨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...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 alcohol to drink.¨

Praying to Maximon is considered by Evangelicals to be the ugliest form of ungodliness, but the Mayan who embrace him hold fast to an eccentric and fascinating set of beliefs. The most impressive part is the way that they´ve incorporated him into Catholism, blending the 2 religions (there is often Jesus iconography on or around the shrine to Maximón). Despite our tourguide´s wealth of knowledge, we coudln´t quite wrap our heads around the fusion of faiths, which seemed contradictory. Nonetheless, it is a classic example of the adaptability of the Mayan people, who have molded themselves to the impositions of Catholic conquistadors while retaining components of their own spiritual life.