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 for themselves. The size and composition of Maya households is important as members engage in the 

 various subsistence activities necessary for survival. Family members, regardless of age or where they 

 live at X-Hazil Sur, frequently share game and exchange food on special ceremonial days, but are not 

 bound by tradition to share with nonfamily members. 



The close ties between family members affected the layout of the village through the location 

 of houses. In X-Hazil Sur, family groups frequently formed neighborhoods composed of adjacent, but 

 completely separate solares and houses that contained the grandparents, parents, and adult children. 

 This close physical proximity of houses to each other facilitated inter-family closeness, but also 

 increased friction between relatives during family feuds. 



Given the cultural traditions of the Maya, with the family and kinship being highly important, 

 and the great difficulties associated with subsisting in Quintana Roo, it is not unusual for there to be 

 few uimiarried adults or abandoned children at X-Hazil Sur. During 1989-1990, there were several 

 single adult men (primarily young men or widowers), while there was only one adult woman (about 25 

 years old) who was single and unmarried by choice. There were, however, several adult men and 

 women who previously had been married, but subsequently had separated or divorced. Some of these 

 adults continued to live alone in their houses (usually the men), while others returned to the household 

 of their parents (usually the women). In households where a divorce, remarriage, or death of a parent 

 had occurred, the children often were sent to live with their aunts or uncles, but never abandoned. 

 Some widows and widowers continued to live with their children, while others returned to hve with 

 their parents or other family members. Divorced adults frequently found new partners. Thus, by 

 being flexible, both children and adults were able to obtain support from friends or relatives. 



As young adults mature at X-Hazil Sur, they may continue to live with their parents or leave 

 and establish new households. Unmarried adults usually remain with their parents. After getting 

 married, an adult male frequently builds a new house for himself. This house generally is located in a 

 lot near the house belonging to his parents or other male relatives, such as an uncle or brother. Young 

 men usually marry at about 20 years of age. Men traditionally seek younger spouses in the same 



