The Mayan Civilization Essay

Mayan Civilization grew to be one of the most advanced civilizations in the Americas. According to historian Sylvanus Griswold Morley, Maya religion consisted of a diverse and wide range of many supernatural gods and deities. In the beginning of Mayan civilization, religion was exceptionally a simple worship without the need of priests, ceremonials, and no areas of worship. Each family had their own priest and a family temple, which was a hut close to all of the family’s dwellings. Agriculture was then introduced and there was more free time available, therefore god 's became more specific. With chronology, the calendar, and writing, the Mayan religion went under crucial changes. Religion was then organized by groups of people, astronomers, ritualists, mathematicians, prophets.

They all consisted of fasting and abstinence, expulsions from evil spirits, incensing the idols, prayers, and sacrifice, regardless human or animal. Majority of the ceremonies ended with feasting and drunkenness. (Morley 206) The Mayans also had ceremonies and celebrations for the various months and the New Year. (Morley 213) The first six months of the Mayan calendar included the following; the month of pop, on Maya’s New Year 's’ Day, houses were cleaned and old utensils were thrown out to cleanse the Mayan population. The month of Uo, priests, physicians, sorcerers, hunters, and fishermen would celebrate ceremonies of their god with feasting and drinking and closed with a dance in honor of the month of Uo. The months of Zotz and Tzec, during Zotz, the owners of beehives started to prepare for the feast, which would be held in the succeeding month, Tzec. The goal of the feast was to increase the production of honey. The month of Xul, one of the most crucial festivals of the Mayans, in honor Kukulcan, a snake deity, other regions would send gifts to the capital of Xiu, Mani. (Morley