49 



already had established friendships with X-Hazil Sur residents over several years of visits. In order to 

 undertake my study at X-Hazil Sur, I had to make a formal request at a village meeting (asemblea) 

 where the issue was discussed and voted upon. Other outsiders also have been allowed to move into X- 

 Hazil Sur on the condition that they would leave if their presence became objectionable to a large 

 number of residents. This actually occurred a few years prior to my study when an evangelical 

 minister from the United States was asked to leave after problems developed. I fortunately was able to 

 complete my study and left the village on good terms with the residents. 



Personal and official relationships for the Maya of X-Hazil Sur operate on a mixture of fear, 

 respect, and confidence. Maya usually can count on their immediate family for support and assistance. 

 Friendships with neighbors and former schoolmates are not as reliable and arguments frequently occur. 

 Shamans, herbalists, midwives, the elderly, shopkeepers, and people in audiority generally are treated 

 with respect by all. In dealing with teachers, doctors, government officials, and other non-Maya 

 outsiders, the Maya have a sense of fear and inferiority, and they frequently are abused by those in 

 power. 



Ejido residents live a tightly controlled life, and their interpersonal behavior is guarded. Adult 

 men generally are somber and rarely offer important information to other residents or outsiders. This 

 conduct is similar to peasant behavior in Mesoamerica and central Java (Wolf, 1957). At X-Hazil Sur, 

 various groups of men form nightly at stores and the church to discuss village matters. Adult women 

 primarily remain at home where they visit with friends and family while attending to household chores. 

 Social relationships are especially difficult for young adults to establish. After finishing the eighth 

 grade, young men and women have limited opportunities to date and have a hard time meeting potential 

 spouses due to a lack of time, money, and meeting sites. Children also are guarded in their behavior 

 and most children do not greet or smile at outsiders. These behaviors are changing, however, as 

 children learn about other cultures in school and the adults gain more experience with outsiders through 

 visitors such as myself, traveling salesmen, culturally sensitive tourists, and while working outside of 

 the village for wages. 



