Mayan culture left a deep mark on the history of Mesoamerica, and their customs are a constant source of study, wonder and admiration. Despite the destruction and loss of some traditions due to European colonization, thanks to archaeology and historical studies, a vast knowledge has been recovered about the daily life, rituals and beliefs of the Mayans. This article explores in depth their customs from birth to death, including their aesthetic and religious practices, which reflected their mystical and spiritual character.
The horoscope and birth in Mayan customs
From the moment a child was born, the Maya surrounded him with special rituals. They firmly believed that the position of the planets and stars greatly influenced his destiny. These stars were consulted by specialized priests, who would tell him which day was the best to name the newborn, based on a special horoscope. This consultation with the stars reflects the deep bond that the Maya had with the cosmos, from which they extracted answers not only about births, but also about crucial events in their daily lives.
Childbirth in Mayan customs
One birthing custom that was particularly striking by today's standards was the way Mayan women gave birth. During labor, they tied themselves to a rope hanging from a beam, and squatted with their legs bent. The husband played an active role at this time: he hugged her from behind, blowing on her head. This procedure had symbolic meaning, as it was believed that with the man's air and strength, the child could be born more easily. In addition, the Goddess Ixchel, revered as the goddess of fertility, was invoked in this ritual, demonstrating how religion and spirituality were intertwined in all aspects of daily life.
Cranial deformation
La cranial deformation This is one of the best-known Mayan practices, and at the same time one that is difficult to understand from a modern perspective. A few days after birth, children were subjected to a procedure in which boards were placed on their heads, one on the forehead and one on the back. This was done in order to modify the shape of the skull, elongating it in an attempt to emulate the shape that they considered ideal and aesthetically beautiful. For the Mayans, this deformation was not only a symbol of beauty, but also a religious act intended to attract the attention of the gods to the family's offspring.
Strabismus or squint
Today, strabismus is considered an eye defect that is corrected as soon as possible. However, for the Mayans, having misaligned eyes was considered a sign of distinction and beauty. Mayan mothers used to hang small balls of resin in their children's hair that fell over their eyes. The constant movement of the ball caused the children to develop strabismus, which, far from being corrected, was sought as an aesthetic sign particularly appreciated by the Mayan elites.
Mayan style hairstyle
Hairstyles also played an essential role in Mayan society. Women wore their hair in two braids, one on each side of their head, while men tended to be more daring with their styles. Some men shaved only the crown of their heads, while others went so far as to burn their hair, leaving a fringe that they would then tie back with a bow to complete their look. This type of hairstyle was more than just a fashion statement; it was a manifestation of social status and, in many cases, a symbol of their spiritual beliefs.
Nose piercing
Body piercing in Mayan culture had a deep religious and social meaning. While in other civilizations piercings were merely decorative, among the Mayans this act took on a more spiritual connotation. Rulers and their close associates were the ones who usually pierced their noses, and placed precious stones such as amber in them. This act not only gave them a distinctive appearance, but was also a way of showing their high status and their connection to the gods.
Mutilated teeth
Dental care in modern times is focused on preserving the integrity of the teeth. However, the Mayans had a completely different concept. One of the most surprising practices, and painful from our perspective, was the filing of teeth in the form of a saw. In addition, small discs of jade or obsidian were embedded in their teeth as part of a beautification ritual. For them, this dental mutilation was a highly aesthetic practice that also connected them with the gods through the use of precious stones.
Marriage in Mayan society
Marriage among the Maya was an institution of great social and economic importance. Families often arranged marriages through a matchmaker, known as an atanzahab. Unions were not so much based on love, but on strategic alliances between families, which is closer to what we know today as arranged marriages. The groom had to work for the bride's father for a time before being able to settle down with his wife, a social contract that reinforced the ties between families.
The Hetzmek ceremony
When Mayan boys and girls were between three and four months old, they underwent the Hetzmek ceremony. In this rite, babies were placed on the hip of their godfather (if it was a boy) or godmother (if it was a girl). This rite was intended to ensure that these children would grow up in good health and under the protection of the gods. The Hetzmek ceremony was one of the first initiations of children into the social and religious structure of Mayan culture.
Blood offerings and human sacrifices
Considered one of the most advanced civilizations of their time, the Maya also had deeply held beliefs about the relationship between gods and humans. According to their worldview, the gods had shed blood to create humanity, so the Maya believed that they should return that blood to their deities. Thus, human sacrifices and blood offerings were born. Although people were not always sacrificed, it was common for prisoners of war, while rulers and their families performed minor sacrifices by cutting off parts of their body to draw blood.
Religion and the concept of death in Mayan culture
The Mayan religion was deeply linked to the elements of nature. Itzamnaaj, the creator god, was one of the main ones, but there were also other deities linked to corn, rain and the sky. The Mayans believed that only those who died in sacrifices, those who died at birth and rulers ascended to heaven. They believed that kings were intermediaries between the gods and humans, which ensured them a special destiny in the afterlife.
Burial had a transcendental meaning in Mayan tradition. Bodies were buried with food such as bread and corn, and tributes were placed so that the deceased could take them with them to the afterlife. Rituals were performed at the tombs with the aim of obtaining the favour of the gods through the intervention of the deceased, which shows how important the presence of their ancestors was in daily life and their continuity in the eternal cycle of nature.
The Mayan civilization is often remembered for its achievements in architecture, mathematics and astronomy, but its cultural practices, though often misunderstood, reveal much about their worldview. In all their actions, from birth to death, the Mayans sought harmony with the cosmos, the gods and their ancestors.