Christmas Tidings at Lake Atitlán [Photo Gallery]

Christmas 2016 was celebrated at Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. The lago is a volcanic lake located in the Western Highlands, situated at an altitude of 1,560 meters and is surrounded by a number of small villages. Getting to the various villages required a bouncy boat or tuk-tuk ride.

My week consisted of eating my body weight in roast pork on the day of Christ’s birth, exploring villages across the lake, playing Jenga with new Guatemalan friends, and eating and drinking with British friends.

The best part of the trip was when Liv and I visited the Mayan deity, Maximón (pictured above) in the village of Santiago. For me, the most intriguing feature of Maximón was when he received the offering of spirits and tobacco. We saw spirits poured directly into his mouth, as well as a cigarette perched between his lips throughout the duration of our visit (seen in the photo above). I will let Wikipedia give you the rest of the info below:

“Maximón (pronounced /mæʃiˈmoʊn/ or /ˈmɒn/), also called San Simón, is a Mayan deity represented in various forms by the Maya peopleof several towns in the highlands of Western Guatemala…The origins of his creation are not well understood by outsiders who often come to learn of the different Mayan practices, but Maximón is believed to be a form of the pre-Columbian Maya god Mam, blended with influences from Spanish Catholicism. It has been suggested that the name Maximón is a combination of Simón and Max, the Mam word for tobacco.”

“Where Maximón is venerated, he is represented by an effigy which resides in a different house each year…During the rest of the year, people of the communities visit Maximón in his chosen residence, where his shrine is always attended by two or more people, called Cofrades, who serve for a full year to care for him in the Cofradia and keep the altar and sacred items in order. Shamans come daily to do rituals on behalf of their clients.

The Cofrades also receive visitors, accept offerings which are used to maintain and enact the ancient customs, celebrations, and rituals. Worshipers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes, candles, incense, and prayers to gain his favor in exchange for good health, good crops, and marriage counseling, amongst other favors. Maximon almost always has a lit cigarette or cigar in its mouth, and in some places, his mouth is formed to allow the attendants to give him spirits to drink. These offerings are a way of “feeding,” giving life, and gratitude to Mam.”

Feel free to check out my photo album below for more Lake Atitlán enjoyment.