Maya Spirituality: Indigenous Paintings 1957 – 2020

Pedro Rafaél González Chavajay

Tz’utujil Maya, San Pedro la Laguna, b. 1956

Waxaqii’ B’atz’Maya New Year

Oil on canvas, 2016, 32" × 42"

Helen Moran Collection

This painting depicts a rite for the ceremonial New Year of the ajq’ijaa’ (spiritual guides) performed on behalf of the people of San Pedro la Laguna. The first day of the Maya New Year is called Waxaqii’ B’atz’ or 8 B’atz’. This is the day for the community to give thanks and to be revitalised.

Pedro Rafaél has included some elements of a traditional Maya ceremony, including offerings to the Creator. These include four colors of corn (representing the four cardinal directions), colored candles, a drink called atol made from corn, flowers, and a drum and marimba to play music.

In the Maya ceremonial calendar, the beginning of the ceremonial new year of the Ajq’ijaa’ (spiritual guides) is the day Waxaqii’ B’atz’ or 8 B’atz’, to thank and receive the spiritual gifts of the new Ajq’ijaa’. For the former Ajq’ijaa’, this is the day to give thanks and to clean and regenerate the life of the gifts and the mission to support the community.

In this painting Pedro Rafaél depicts a celebration for the ceremonial new year of the Ajq’ijaa’ on behalf of the people of San Pedro la Laguna. We see all the offerings to the Creator: the four colors of corn, representing the four cardinal directions; colored candles; a drink called atol made from corn; flowers; and a tambor (drum) and marimba to play music. These are some of the elements of a traditional Maya ceremony. The ceremony itself depends on the intention of the people or the community, in accordance with their needs.