The Maya

The Maya
The Maya were the first group of Amerindians to develop a very high level of
culture called a civilization unlike the Tainos and Kalinagos who had a simple
way of life which did not develop beyond their family village settlement
stage. The Maya are known as Mesoamericans. The Maya made outstanding
advancements in Astronomy and Mathematics, and developed an accurately
yearly calendar. They were one of the first people to develop an advanced
form of writing. The areas where the Maya settled are Guatemala, the
Yucatan Peninsula, Honduras, El Salvador, parts of Belize, and Southern
Mexico. The magnificent civilization they developed in Southern Mexico was
the most impressive of all the empires in the Americas and it flourished for at
least 600 years from A.D. 250 to 900. This time period is known as the
Classic Period of the Maya civilization.

Social Organization
Mayan society was strictly divided into rigid classes. Each social class had its
own rights and duties. They were even guidelines considering the clothing
and personal adornment worn by different social classes. At the top of the
social pyramid was the Hulach Uinic who was both a High Priest and a
Great Lord. Members of this upper class group included the Priests, other
Lords, Nobles, the Batabs or Batabobs, and Nacoms or war chiefs. After
the rulers and nobles were the majority of the people known as the working
class. They were mainly farmers and artisans (craftsmen). They provided the
tax system of crops and labour which supported the officials and priests.
They also built magnificent stone cities, fine bridges, aqueducts (water path),
and roads. There was also an independent merchant class. The Ppolms or
merchants played an important role in the society. They had their own gods
and lived according to their own laws. They did not have to pay taxes or give
any personal service in agricultural labour road building. They did however
perform a very important role in foreign affairs, for they frequently acted as
spies especially during war time. The slaves were the lowest class in the
society. Most slaves were people from neighbouring tribes who were
captured during war time. They were used as servants for the upper class
people and also as human sacrifices to Mayan gods.

Economic Organization
Most of the Maya people were farmers. They worked the land collectively as
one community. The land was first cleared by burning and cutting forest
trees. Next, the ground was broken with digging sticks called woa and the
grains of corn were planted. Corn or maize was the most important crop.
When it was harvested, the farmers had to give portions to the priests and
noblemen as a form of tax. Large underground storerooms or granaries
called chultunes were built for storing the grain. Other crops such as
pumpkin, squash, cassava, potato, and cotton were also cultivated. Huge
reservoirs were built to store water. Wells or cenotes were also dug and
from these water was carried to the fields.
The Maya built roadways to encourage trade between their various cities.
Trading also took place outside the Maya Empire. People came together to
trade in large market places which were part of the city in their district.
Trading was carried out by merchants (ppolms). As they travelled between
city states and areas outside the Maya Empire, they were able to carry out
their duties as spies for the Hulach Uinic. They did not have the wheel or
any beasts of burden, such as horses and oxen. They carried most of their
goods on their backs or on rivers in dugout canoes.
The Maya were the only American Indians who carried on trading by sea as
well as land. There is evidence to suggest that their canoes had contact with
Cuba and Dominica. The Lowland Mayas handcrafted forest and sea
products. The Highland group sold jade, volcanic glass, and quetzal feathers.
The Yucatan Maya traded salt and finely decorated cotton. Cocoa beans were
used as a medium of exchange. Sometimes small copper bells or red
shells/strings were also used as a medium of exchange. The Maya practiced
surplus farming unlike the Tainos and Kalinagos who practiced subsistence
living.

Political Organization
Of the three groups, the Maya were the most advanced. They built vast
empires and independent city states. As such, they had a fairly elaborate
and rigid system of government. Each independent city state was ruled by a
Halach Uinic. This was a hereditary position. It was passed down from
father to son only. His powers were wide. He was almost an absolute ruler.
He had the final say in all matters. He had various civil, military and religious
duties to perform.
He designed all domestic policies and foreign affairs. Remember that we are
dealing with a very large area when compared to the Caribbean region
occupied by the Tainos and Kalinagos. Belize alone is twice the size of
Jamaica.
The states were divided into villages which were ruled by batabs. There
were all chosen from the noble class so this post was also hereditary. They
were to see to it that the laws and policies were enforced.
Because the Maya were constantly engaged in defending themselves from
neighbouring invaders, the war chiefs or nacoms were also an important
part of the government. They were however elected for three years. During
their term of office, they were not allowed to drink any strong drink. They
were responsible for providing and training soldiers.

Religious Beliefs and Practices
The Maya were polytheistic. They believed in as many as 166 gods! They had
too had a number of myths to explain the mysteries of life including earth
and the creation of man.
They believed in:
 The forces of good and evil.
 Life after death.
 Heaven and hell.
 The underworld.
 There is punishment in the afterlife for those who lived an evil life.
 There is reward in the afterlife for those who lived a good life.
 Confessing to the priest on one’s death bed.
 Offering human sacrifices to the gods, especially slaves.
 Using incense in the process of communicating with the gods.
 Having birthday festivals and celebrations in honour of the gods.
 Keeping the gods happy (appeasing the gods).

Gender Relations
 In Mayan society, the women played a subservient role. Mayan women
were not allowed to drink at functions.
 They could not hold public office. Their main functions were child
bearers and home makers. In fact, a Mayan man could divorce his wife
if she did not bear him any children.
 They were also given specific roles. They worked to pay the tribute tax.
Weaving and pottery were done exclusively by the women.
 There were more recreational activities that the men were allowed to
participate in. for example there was only one dance in which the men
and women were allowed to dance together. All other dances were
done by the men together. The men also participated in bow and arrow
contests.
How did they manage to earn the title of the most advanced
civilization?
Technology
1. We will do engineering and architecture as a separate item since this
was a very important part of Mayan religion and society. Using their
limestone and mortar, the Maya constructed the following to create their
magnificent empires:
-Corbelled arch.
-Roads and bridges.
-Causeways.
-Massive temples with staircases for worship.
-Entire cities with huge pyramids were constructed of
stones, for example, Chichen Itza and Tikal.
-Large public buildings made of limestone and mortar.
-Stone stelae with their history depicted on them.
2. They were skilled in Mathematics.
3. They practised a form of writing known as hieroglyphics.
4. They had books made from the bark of trees.
5. They created a Calendar very similar to ours with 365 days in a year and
leap as well.
6. They practised astrology. They observed the stars and planets and used
these to determine the ‘‘right’’ time to plant, reap and even marry.
7. They had three farming techniques to include the slash-and-burn
method.
-They had a form of currency. Cocoa beans was used for
money.
-They used irrigation methods.
-They used dams and wells to ensure water supply.
-They knew and used the art of dyeing.