'The Bible is a principle arm that has taught us to change but our faith remains individual.'

Holly Bruford left London to live and work
in Guatemala. In her latest column, she examines the mix of traditional Guatemalan beliefs with the Christian faith

As I travel through Guatemala it is impossible not to cross paths with the Maya world, past and present.

Despite the inevitable and unavoidable modernity of the 21st century descending upon these humble people, one of the biggest pre-Columbian civilisations of the Americas continues to live off the land and hold onto local traditions through markets, fiestas and costume in a riot of celebration.

Religious philosophy is the backbone of Mayan culture. Since the forceful introduction of the Christian faith following the Spanish invasion in 1523, the indigenous people of Guatemala have fought to preserve their sacred past.

Hybrid

Despite this however, and somewhat surprisingly, an accepted hybrid has formed in which the outward forms of Catholicism are combined to worship the ancient indigenous pantheon. Christ and the saints have taken their place alongside Dios Mundo, the God of the World, and Hurakan, the Heart of Heaven.

When the Spanish set about destroying the Maya tribes of Guatemala they altered every aspect of life for the indigenous people, uprooting their social structures and reshaping their communities.

The Bible was primarily rejected because of its assault on Mayan beliefs. Although unaware of the Vatican’s aim to pacify the population through the Bible and establish authoritarian control, the Mayan people were nonetheless wary that a crack in their traditions could form a gateway to the unwanted influence of the outside world.

To appease the clergy Catholic symbols were worshiped and church was attended, but for the Maya their traditional beliefs continued in strength, and secret.

Later, as the mostly indigenous laity were allowed to rise in the church hierarchy and the Bible became more easily accessible, the Maya began to reflect on passages such as enslavement and liberation.

Question

They were encouraged to question political and social realities and by the twentieth century the Christian faith had opened the eyes of the poor to their repression and motivated them to change their structures.

Manuel Diego, from the San Marcos community, took time to explain how the Mayan acceptance of this foreign faith never called for complete conversion to Catholicism; it was merely used as a portal to channel their own spirituality.

"Catholicism is not our principle religion, only a means to express ourselves. The Bible is a principle arm that has taught us to change but our faith remains individual.

"For us God is everywhere, binding together the universe.We believe every object God put on this earth has a spirit we must respect. In the same way every person is born with a spiritual counterpart in the animal world, a Nahaul, and our destiny is bound up with that particular animal."

These days, although Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion in Guatemala, the Maya continue to worship at sites sacred since ancient times. During religious festivals incense, offerings and sacrifices are presented at pagan alters followed by a Catholic ceremony in the village church.

Preserving

Their achievement in preserving and protecting their culture and religion is truly remarkable in an era where an abundance of religious sects and institutions compete for international recognition. Since the 1980s evangelicalism (predominantly funded by the United States) has surged in popularity and it is estimated that 30% to 40% of Guatemalans are now evangelicals.

These numbers continue to grow as evangelical churches compete for new converts using every imaginable form of media to spread their word.

In contrast, the Maya of Guatemala have taken great steps to guard their secrets, even hide their identity, to guarantee they will continue as an indigenous culture.

They will offer broad explanations of their customs and beliefs but much is withheld; in this way the Western World remains the outsider.

As customs change and the decline of traditional religions gives way to the strength of global movements, it is a unique achievement that the ancestors of Guatemala’s cultural heritage can continue to embrace the Christian Church, without letting its power engulf their faith completely.

These are personal comments and not necessarily the position of Christian Aid or its partners.

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