47 



Ethos 



As with many indigenous people, the worldview of the Maya of X-Hazil Sur has been 

 influenced by many factors, including their history, physical environment economy, and social changes 

 brought about as these people are confronted with the realities of Mexican and international life. To 

 the Maya, the outside world as well as the immediate environment are a source of uncertainty. 



Many of the Maya at X-Hazil Sur believe that the world is filled with evil spirits that must be 

 propitiated regularly. Appropriate offerings include praying, lighting a candle, sponsoring a mass, or 

 preparing a special meal. Failure to make an appropriate offering may result in any of a series of 

 unfortunate events, including an accident, crop failure, a sick family member, bad luck while hunting, 

 or the loss of a valuable tool. Offerings often are made on a proactive basis in that a person will make 

 an offering 



ACTIVITY: 



Chicle 



tapping 



Logging 

 Gardening 



Railroad tie 

 cutting 



Hunting 



-Clear- 



Har 



Plant — Dbl Corn- 

 Bum Plant Harvest- 



WEATHER: 

 Temperature 

 Rainfall 



Max 



Min 



Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 



Month 



Figure 2-5. Monthly occurrence of subsistence and economic activities in relation to temperature and 

 rainfall (Max = month with highest average temperatures; Min = month with lowest average 

 temperatures; Dbl Com = double over com stalks; Har = harvest activity). 



