Religious Rituals Among the Ancient Maya of the Yucatan Chacmool Chacmool is a sculpture that is prominent throughout Mayan sites in Central Mexico, especially in the Yucatan Peninsula. Some scholars speculate that the name chacmool was derived from the name “chaac,” which is a Mayan rain god (Desmond, 2001). The sculpture is a distinct figure lying in a reclined position with the stomach as a platform. Chacmool is thought to be a sacrificial figure that played an important role in human sacrifice rituals. The stomach may have been used to place the hearts of sacrificial victims as well as other offerings and gifts for the gods (Sharer, 1994.) Religious Rituals Religious rituals function on both an individual and societal level and are often based on myths. For the Ancient Maya, human sacrifices were a large part of their religious rituals and played a major role in the function of their society. Many of the sacrifices were performed as periodic rituals which were rooted in their religious calendar. Other sacrifices were occasional rituals and were performed based on need or occasion (Stein and Stein, 2008.) Since the Yucatan does not have a main river or fresh water source, many rituals were performed to appease the rain god in times of drought (Sharer, 1994). The Ball Game The ball game was common throughout Mesoamerica and was played for political and ritualistic purposes. The object of the game was to get a small rubber ball through a ring on either side of the ball court using only the knees, hips, or elbows. In the Yucatan, most of the sites have a ball court which shows the popularity of the game. The ball courts vary in size depending on the importance of the city. The game was played for a variety of reasons, including a reenactment of the Mayan creation myth. This was to honor the hero twins in the Popol Vuh. The ball game was common throughout Mesoamerica and was played for political and ritualistic purposes. The object of the game was to get a small rubber ball through a ring on either side of the ball court using only the knees, hips, or elbows. In the Yucatan, many of the Mayan sites include a ball court which shows the popularity of the game among the ancient Maya. (Brower, 1986). The Sacred Cenote Cenotes, or sinkholes, are natural limestone wells of water that form from the rain. There are several small cenotes found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula which were commonly used as a fresh water supply. However, in Chichen Itza the Sacred Cenote, also known as the Cenote of Sacrifice, was used for ritual purposes. Sacrificial victims, including children, were thrown into the well as gifts to the gods. The Sacred Cenote is very large in diameter with extremely steep sides therefore the victim could not climb out or escape after being thrown into the water. Other gifts, such as pottery, jade and jewelry were also tossed into the cenote. Many scholars believe these ritual offerings were done during times of drought (Coe, 2005). Created by Raelyn H. Brown References: Brower, B. (1986). Blood and Sacrifice. Science News, 129(23), Coe, M. (2005). The Maya. New York: Thames & Hudson. Desmond, L. (2001). Chacmool. In D. Carrasco (Ed.), Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Culture, (pp ). New York: Oxford University Press. Sharer, R. (1994). The Ancient Maya. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. Stein, R., & Stein, P. (2008). The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft. New York: Pearson Education Inc. Coba UxmalChichen Itza Merida Chichen Izta Pyramid of Kukulcan, Chichen ItzaTemple of the Magician, Uxmal