Chortí (Mayan) Ceremonial Organization 1
1969; Wiley; Volume: 71; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1525/aa.1969.71.3.02a00060
ISSN1548-1433
Autores Tópico(s)Indigenous Cultures and History
ResumoA recent typology of the Mayas (Tax 1964) classified the Chortí of eastern Guatemala as intermediate between the Yucatec, where shamans have both individual and communal functions, and the peoples of the Guatemalan highlands, where shamans perform for individuals and communal ceremonies are performed by permanent organizations (cofradías). Reinterpreting published reports in the light of new fieldwork, the author suggests (1) that some aspects of Chortí society cast doubt on the aptness of a distinction between individual and communal functions and (2) that of the Chortí towns, all but one, Quezaltepeque, appear to fit the Yucatec pattern very closely, suggesting that Quezaltepeque has been affected by its exposure to western pilgrims passing through it en route to Esquipulas each year.
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