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Santiago Atitlan southwest from Lake Atitlan, and sorrounded by volcans such as San Pedro, Toliman and Atitlan, is a Municipality of Guatemala and belongs to the district of Solola. It has a population of almost 50.000 inhabitants mostly of Tz`Utujil etnia groups. In order to get there you must travel by boat from Panajachel or bay van through route 14.
Steep streets and infinity of "manteros" (people who sell their handcrafts and varied items in the street) border a decaing market, its main square, the church, the school, the football field and sidewalk stalls.
If something identifies its inhabitans from de rest of mayas communities are their believes but mostly their strong devotion to MAXIMON, known to all as the big grandfather.
Maximon´s sphinx is located at the San Antonio de Padua´s brotherhood in a dark space of no more than 20 square meters where you can smell smoky incense. In order to celebrate the ritual a great number of believers arrive from nearby villages to beg for health, wellnes, money, love, intelligence and prosperity.
The ceremony is presided by a Maya priest next to the altar.
After the members of the brotherhood distribute the offered liquor and cigars among the asistants, the priest begins the celebretion turning on candles of various colors: red (blood)-black (hair)-blue (soul)-beige (dead ones)=. Inciense burns together with tree barks and resin. Once the atmosphere is prepared they invoke the Creator, good spirit, ancestors, the guardians of the Cardina points, volcans, rivers, lakes and seas.
Celebrated in orthodox language, the ceremony lasts 30 minutes. Believers all wearing hats and tunics, keep in silence in front of the altar. To the end of the ceremony, they should give and offering to "big grandfather" consisting of money that the guardians will accomodate between their tunics and ties.
To the end the ritual believers should pay a round of beer and schnapps to all the people present who will not deny to drinks, considering this action an act of contempt.