A God that smokes and drinks – Maximon of Guatemala
A God that smokes and drinks !!! … This is a god I can relate to: so on my birthday (this Friday) I visited Santiago Atitlan to pay homage to the mighty Maximon.
Maximon shrine – Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala
Who?
He’s a very cool deity revered through-out the Guatemalan highlands by the Maya. and by many Ladinos (Guatemalans of white / mixed descent – who know him as San Simon).
Like ancient death gods this God also smokes and is a wild blend of Maya ancestral-worship twisted with Catholicism and local folklore.
He’s assumed to be mix of many Mayan gods, and strangely, a portion of Pedro de Alvarado – the cruel: as in burning Mayan chiefs alive – Spanish Conquistador of Guatemala, and then a toxic chunk of biblical traitor Judas … But he is many things to his followers: including Saint Andrew, Saint Michael ( no – not me; the other one! ) and maybe even Saint Peter … And he was also Lord of Diviners and Day-keepers and all who spoke to Holy Earth. Maximon was Lord of Sexual Matters and could make barren wombs bear. Maximon watched over wives when husbands were away but sometimes he slept with them himself … *1
[ So he likes to drink, smoke, and - fuck ! Surely this is the God for my needs ... ? ]
Anyway, Maximon of Santiago Atitlan is hidden within a private house a few km outside of town, for now, as each year his guardians rotate his abode between themselves.
These guardians are an influential group known as the Cofradia (Mayan Catholic Brotherhood) and shape the ceremonies around Maximon.
His big public appearance is during Easter Week.
I went there with a young local guy by rickshaw – Guatemalan ones are Indian auto-rickshaws, except painted red – to visit Maximon at his current residence.
The whole scene was amazing
There he was looking composed, regal, smoking a cigarette, a Mayan family submitting, making offerings, asking blessings …
I offered - this my holy day – a bottle of local firewater, to Maximon, this God of gods, hoping that my blessings will continue …
→ watch the video
[ 1* source: Time Amongst the Maya by Ronald Wright, which just have read whilst staying here on the shores of Lake Atitlan ]
Hmm I couldn’t understand a word they were saying? Never heard of this deity, I must be to mixed to know about him. I don’t think the people liked that you were filming lol.
Hi Jimmy
Maximon is deeply within the Catholic church of Guate and known by the White decendants as San Simon (Saint Simon).
I had permission to shoot, for a fee … But I think they were a little bewildered / shy of my presence and I didn’t want to impose too much, which is why I didn’t stay too long.
ALSO: it’s a serious place of worship & that day’s solemn occasion – while I didn’t ask what it was about; why I’m not sure, but glad I didn’t. Maybe a blessing against illness or bad luck ???
Anyway, filming / photography of the Maya – getting portraits, or especially religious ceremonies is usually not allowed … In fact many Maya refuse their pic to be taken – similar to the hostility of some in the Islamic world to the camera; but it really depends on the individual as opposed to a blanket-cultural taboo against photography.
As for the language I assume it’s Maya, but what variation? Maybe … Tz’utuhil, which is dominant in Santiago.
Jimmy, when you go to Guate to discover your roots you with be blown away by what a brilliant, fascinating, friendly place it is, but also by it’s history of shocking / useless rulers and also by the violence and social injustices on-towards the Maya (over the past 500 years since the conquest).
So, go, and be amazed by Guatemala; it is amazing, your ancestral homeland.
Great site.
Heading to Peru in December.
Will keep your impressive resume in mind.
Thanks. I really need to post more of my Peru stuff – Inca Trail, Cusco, Nazca, etc.
ENJOY !
Hi there, we are trying to put all information and experiences about Maximon that we found in just one place, we would like to know if we can use yours, off course giving you the respective credit.
Sure you can … I’ll email you.
Hi!!!!! there you have the link , thanks a lot!!!!! if you think that i have to include more information for credits just let me know
http://maximongod.blogspot.com/2012/03/god-that-smokes-and-drinks-maximon-of.html
Thanks. However, at this stage I can’t see the link as blogspot – among others; YouTube, Twitter, etc – is blocked in China; until I get VPN set-up here.