Mayas complain of government banning rituals at archaeological sites
Mexican authorities have banned Maya spiritual leaders from performing ceremonies at their ancestral temples, which are about to be overrun by a curious assortment of conspiracy theorists, dooms-dayers, new-agers and well-intentioned tourists who just want to be apart of the festivities.
The Ceremonies are meant to mark the end of the Maya long-count calendar, which began 13 Baktun (cycles) ago. Under the Greco-Roman Calender, that's about 3112 BC.
Contrary to popular (mis)belief, the end of the long-count calendar is being viewed as something positive. As Mayan priest Jose Manrique Esquive recently pointed out, the current Baktun, which began around 1618, has been drenched by a continuous reign of misery that included the introduction of European disease, culture and language being erased and entire populations being extinguished.
"This is the ending of an era for the Maya, an era which has been very intense for us, in which we have had suffering and pain," said Manrique Esquivel, adding "we are praying the wars, the conflicts, the hunger to end."
Despite their intentions, the government is refusing to let any Maya traditional perform their ceremonies inside Chichen Itza, Coban, Tulum and other sites that their ancestors built.
"We would like to do these ceremonies in the archaeological sites, but unfortunately they won't let us enter," continued Manrique Esquivel. "It makes us angry, but that's the way it is ... we perform our rituals in patios, in fields, in vacant lots, wherever we can."
The press director for the government's National Institute of Anthropology and History claims there are two reasons for the ban: "In part it is for visitor safety, and also for preservation of the sites, especially on dates when there are massive numbers of visitors... Many of the groups that want to hold ceremonies bring braziers and want to burn incense, and that simply isn't allowed."
Of course that's just the excuse. The government would much rather keep the Maya on the sidelines since they are orchestrating a massive commercial spectacle for tens of thousands of people, many of whom are are clinging to delusional hopes and irrational fears about what's going to happen at the end of 13 Baktun--December 21, 2012.
However, the Maya are still going to be allowed to visit the sites along with the tourists, but they will likely have to pay to get in, just like everyone else.
Meanwhile, as the Maya proceed with their ceremonies, shops in a Siberian city continue to sell Apocalypse kits; Beijing residents are stocking up on crackers, bottled water, and life preservers; in southwest France, the town of Bugarch prepares for a possible deluge of visitors who believe that a mountain could save them from the end of the world; and all the big corporate media services happily continue to spread the mania--all of which stems from little more than basic ignorance toward Indigenous perceptions and realities.
Source
With dancing, incense, and rituals, the Mayans performed the "New Fire" ceremony Thursday at a park in Mexico City. They have been barred from performing rituals at their ancestral temples in the Maya region.
nonsense! The gov't is unjust..
Unbelieveable, and just so nuts I can't even comprehend why???
Let the Mayan's dance at their ancestral sites -this date can never happen again ~Reddog has spoken
I wish there were enough of us to stand guard while you do your ceremonies at your ancestral temples. I would hope that the Mexican government realizes what a terrible mistake is being made.
It is their culture they should have the opportunity now of all times to uses their cultural sites the tourists can wait or watch.
I pray for the Maya, I think our Governments should allow the ceremony, allow the Spiritual Leaders to bring in a certain number of people to perform the rites and pray for all of us, and the local gov. should turn away the rest of the tourists and assure them that they too will benefit from these prayer ceremonies. What I think is so beautiful is the Earthkeepers will gather and pray and pay respect to the ancestors and welcome in this new era despite the whereabouts of the rituals, maybe we have to consecrate new places of worship, but all will be as it should be in the end.
They have the right to be themselves,just like all of us!
is there no way to make a worldwide protest petition ?
complete BS everyone has the right to practice ceremony in their own way anytime they want
these are the ancestral homes of the maya. this is bullbutter! this is rightfully your land, your home, and you have a right to it. my brothers and sisters i am in sorrow for you.
if anything should end in 2012 is the tyranny of world governments that dont respect the rights of people who take care of mother earth.
Anything to make that almighty dollar! Totally wrong for the government to keep them from having traditional ceremonies on their land!
These Temples were built by the Maya People so there fore they should be the only ones allowed in the Temples and they should be allowed to perform their secret ceremonies. Our Government the Mexican government....cancada....no government should have the powert to take sacret sites and or ceremonies away from the people to whom they belong....this is just so wrong on so many levels.....tourists shouldn't be allowed in the Temples except by invatation of the Maya People....and if there's a charge, it should go to the Maya.
Again, the FEAR take over the government to make the choce of banning the very important ceremony for the Mayan. Let us hope that the Mayan people will be able to continue with their special ceremonies at other sites that will generate abundace LOVE energy for healing that will effect their future as well as our future. Choose Love NOT Fear.
The mayan calender does not conform to julius calender witch the modern world is using so the date is off .
I AM A PART OF THE ALL. THE ALL IS A PART OF ME. MY FATHER, MOTHER, SISTER, BROTHER EARTH IS THE PART OF IT. GOVERNMENTS SHOULD GOVERN THEMSELSELVES THAT ARE UNCONTROLABLE.......I WILL DANCE AND CELEBRATE ANYWHERE ON MY EARTH........YOU....CANNOT STOP ME.......I AM
The Mexican government is still ruled by Spanish Catholics, that's why they won't let traditional Aztec dancers perform.
yes, please do start a world wide protest blg/email/anyhting, this ban is so insulting!!!
Shameful! Every day I read world news and am shocked at the small minds that apparently run this globe. I pray for all and meditate daily for peace. We must respect one another, it is simple. Love.
So tourists like me can still take trample these sites and take photos like these http://www.haidermirza.com/travel/e4dd41cfc. But Maya, for whom these temples were meant, are not allowed? Shame on you Mexico!
colonization is still alive in Mexico and other parts of North America.
Mexico, one of the most corrupt nations on earth, lets drug gangs control whole parts of it's country. Yet the Mayans can't burn incense and have ceremonies. Glad I've never been there & no intention of ever going.
Perhaps (hopefully) the end of this cycle will mean the end of this kind of avarice and blindness
I wonder what the policy is going to be in other countries of the Maya world - Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and, I believe, a tiny corner of El Salvador? While I definitely believe that the people who built these magnificent cities should be allowed to use them ceremonially for this once in a lifetime event, I can see the sense, also, of INAH seeking to avoid a stampede on ancient sites, such as happened during the "Harmonic Convergence", at places like the Mayan cities, Chaco Canyon, Machu Pichu, Stonehenge, etc. I'm thinking, there are probably many smaller ancient Mayan sites well known to locals, but not in the official record, let alone under the jurisdiction of any government, which could (and probably will!) be used for small scale, local observances...
Ok. All people making stupid and ignorant comments like "colonization is still alive" or Catholicisms ruling, please stay quiet. I'm Mexican, and unlike foreigners and most, I know about laws!
The National Institute for Anthropology and History (INAH, for Spanish initials) is very strict with the historical sites it has achieved to protect. Yes, we claim this injustice today, but stupid people don't realize those strict measures have preserved historical sites until today. Not to mention they rescued them from complete destruction, and even performed detailed resorations.
On the other hand, the indigenous Maya people, haven't really been organized as to create a representation to lead these cremonies. There is no organized leadership, and really, just about anyone could say they're the real deal and try to get in as a ritualist. Just tell me: how the heck do you know who's authentic and who isn't? For as long as I know, a guy who began practising rituals at 22 y.o., who has absolutely no Mayan blood, but feels so identified, could call himself a spiritual leader. I've ran into those.
Dancers are thousands and thousands, and they all can claim authenticity, as they are all Mexicans. Remember Mexico is made up of people with mixed blood, mixed races. That is being mestizo. Both European blood and all indigenous people.
Those anti-Catholic paranoids should take a peek into Mexico's history before opening their big mouth, as Mexico's government is more separeted from church than the US Government. The Constitution states the freedom of religion, and there is no "Nation under God" claimed anywhere. Nor we take an oath over the Bible in trials!!!
About all those Apocalypse kits and souvenirs, I don't care. In fact, I should, and Mexico should get copyright returns for that!
And guys, please take down that phony headdress made for tourist purposes. It's as ignorant as that one used in the Victoria's Secret runway!
How does it feel to be in the ignorant side??
I don't see anyone telling the Christians they can't perform ceremonies in the Vatican city...
This is absolutely outrageous !!!! I support the above comment regarding Christians as well as other religions with their ceremonial rites !!!
I can see both points of view. I have studied shamanism for 18 years as a spiritual practice. The authentic mayan spiritual leaders should be allowed to practice ceremony to honor the ancestors. The energy at those sites is very real and should be respected. I pray for gentleness of spirit for all involved.
this is ridiculous...okay, if we really want to help then we can create a cause at awaaz.com, get people to sign the petition and then send it to the govt....it'll get media attention and the govt will be forced to reconsider...
How can Mexico deny anyone anything when it lets it's people leave there and go to other countries such as the U.S. illegally. If I understand correctly the Mayans are in their native country but can not worship at THEIR burial sites because of the tourist trade! Sounds like it more about the money than than freedom of Religion. Shame because their people come to the U.S and try to change everything, names of streets, schools, they live in the African American neighborhoods so that the Caucasian people don't see how many are really here. They defraud the U.S. by using the social services in one name and work in another and the U.S. wonders why its social service, social security, food stamps, housing and everything else is overwhelmed, but you say the Mexican Government will not allow the Mayans to worship in Mexico. Maybe the U.S. needs to take some tips from the Mexican government to keep from falling off the "Financial Cliff".
You seriously need to fight with a petition and believe me many will sign it! You maybe could use an excuse like people visiting the sight on the day you want to be there can see you do your traditional dances. Make an event out of it. Its a possibility.
Please write an email to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in Mexico to complain about this! http://www.inah.gob.mx/index.php/contacto
Let us know how to support your cause
I agree with those suggesting a petition. I would sign it. Also with the post that says to contact the NIAH in Mexico. It's only a couple of days. Let the Mayan hold the ceremonies. These are their temples before they are anyone else's. They have a much stronger right to them and should be allowed to conduct their ceremonies in peace, without interferance from the goverment. This is a once in a lifetime event for everyone. No one on this earth will be alive to see the next change of cycles. Leave the Mayan to their prayer in their temples. After everything they and other Native Nations have endured since contact, they should be given access and left alone.
Sad the Mayans cannot even use or send their energies in their OWN sites! Run once again by governments who do not care about the people
I don´t understand what it is that makes it so hard to respect the people that cares for themselfes as well as for Mother Earth and their anchestors as well as their living family. Think of what it would be like if that was to happen to a christian, a muslim or another personal religion. We have all our own way of celebrating and sharing both in our own group and so even with other persons that finds it good to share our days and thoughts. I tell you all that this fest is going to be what ever they say or do, beacuse it will not only be in Mexico, we are lots of people that will join togheter all over the world to share this moment with the Mayan people and the things that are about to happen, happens to us all. I´m sorry but it´s foolish to think that any man can stop the meeting between people who live and those who have past on. They will be were ever their people will be. So let this time come and let them in peace use what belongs to them instead of making war to them on this day of their. Love to you Mayan people who have learned and share with us all the knowlegd that you have had at hand so that we all can take care and live through our hearts.
The world elite (behind the government) is in fear of coming mass awakening Dec 21st, and they want to do everything to delay, or to diminish it. They would loose the base of their recent power, if people were awakened.
They know how much power there is at the sacred places, on the Earth Vortex grid. And the energies sent from those grids would be much greater. That's why they don't allow those to happen. Of course they had to make up ridiculous excuses... They fear themselves.
@gonzin pleas do not stereotype all mexicans as being mixed with spaniards. theirs still many fullblood indigenous in mexico and theirs traditionals as well. if your mixed or white then thats you, but do not blanket us with your whiteness.
The Mayans are a vital part of Mexican history. If you deny them, you are denying your own roots. Sad but true, those with the biggest swords continue to tell the story and relegate those with the brightest minds to be spectators of, instead of participants in their own heritage..
Professor Manuel F. Medrano
Sounds Like The Government Has (As - MOST OTHER GOVERNMENTS) - Have Their "Sites Set-On" --- 'GREED!!!'
Gonzin and other government defenders: wake up. These monuments have been knowingly desecrated to the point of destruction by the tourism pandering and invitation to hundreds of barkers and hawkers selling china-made crap like onyx penises and fake artifacts and souviniers of all kinds. The reason for prohibiting the Maya ceremonies is simply to make money for the tourist industry and to allow the light-skinned Spanish blood Mexicans to continue their domination over the darker decendants of the Olmecs, Aztecs and Maya people. These tourism people and government people are the same people who hold rock and other music concerts in the Mayan ruins and hold light shows and give land from the formerly sacred lands to government-connected people to build hotels and promote events that have nothing to do with Mexico or the Mayan people. Power can allow these descrations but nothing "Mexican" excuses it.
The so called "catholic" church will never be satisfied until every remnant of Mayan culture is stamped out and the "holy roman empire" in sway to the Spaniards is resurected in Mexico.
WHERE IS THE FOLLOW UP STORY? ............... WHERE IS THE INFORMATION ABOUT WHATS GOING ON AT THE TEMPLE'S RIGHT NOW ????????
You can not ban those who these sites belong too. Who are you to say what the owners of these sites can and can not do. Shame on you for falsely thinking you have any rights to them. Try witnessing history being created rather than digging up what has been and gone. These people are that living history. It is a disgrace and once more the absolute folly of man who believes he can dominate another and just because he says it is that way falsely believes it actually is. Absolute disgrace and stop justifying what your about because it is not about you indeed has nothing to do with you it is about Mayan, their sacred lands and it is theirs to continue their traditions there not for you to say yay or Nay. Wrong is just wrong no matter how you swing the cat. Shame on all of us thinking we can live like this and destroy all that is precious in our world via justifying the bringing of Braziers or how many will go there. This land is not yours, you do not own these sites, you do not get a say in it. Mayans your sacred sites are just that yours. You belong to them and no one has any right to say or do otherwise. Your needed along with all the other indiginous nations at the gates on the 21st December. Here that those of you who think you can deny humanity its sacredness. Absolutely disgraceful.
I am TeManawa, Maori and Mother of the Nations in Aotearoa. I say to you the Mayan peoples, to your chiefs and sacred ones , this day is your day, these sacred sites belong to you as you belong to them. Your sacredness is upon them. Bow down to no one. You are needed to be at the gates in sacred ceremony in your duties to your ancestors, your people and to God. Lift up your hearts and your heads to all you know to be true and all you are bringing forth for it shall reach higher than ever before. You are not alone and God is not only watching, witnessing but is standing with you the faithful. I am the Heart and bring this to you in all its giving that you shall know I am with you. I shall stand at the Beginning in the sacred circle before God on the day and in my heart you shall be at your sacred sites creating once more your sacred ceremonies in harmony with all. God blesses you, watches over you and sees all.
TeManawa
European oppression at it's best. Even after so many years the system does not want the natives to celebrate their past.
What a load of hypocrisy from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History! If they were more concerned about visitor and archaeological site safety, on a day when record numbers of tourists are expected, than they are about gate proceeds and other rip-offs from the shameless and distorted exploitation of native culture, it is tourists and other such visitors who should be barred from access on the Solstice, not the heirs of the Maya civilisation. Think of possible stampedes by panicking suckers… Oh, but the Mayas are allowed to turn up, providing they come as tourists themselves, pay at the gate and refrain from burning copal – Think of all the churches and congregations that were destroyed by fires started by burning myrrh and incense ! Pyramids could be reduced to ash by sparks escaping from pots filled with smouldering copal beads and chips. Maybe the Authorities want to forestall the end of the world in a planetary blaze started by smudging pagans… However, things being what they are and tourists allowed into the accessible sites, Mayas wanting to perform ceremonies will be better off performing them in private at sites not yet excavated, restored and open to visitors, or even in secluded fields or woods or in their homes…
Erik, in France
http://www.inah.gob.mx/index.php/contacto Send the institute a message, there is power in voices. Let the Maya people celebrate at their holy sites.
What a load of crap. A q el manto de la guadalupe no lo cierran a los cristianos que tambien queman incienso de la india...pero chichen itza si lo cierran a los indios, eh? Porque todavia los indios son rechazados en Mejico, digan la verdad, fresitas.
Mayan explanation of what will happen on 21st December 2012 .....watch this vid on youtube, it will tell you exactly why the Mayans are not wanted
@gonzin:
you seem not to be very well informed about the situation of the mayas. maybe this film opens another persepective for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNgM4dpq_ko
Yeah, Talk about having Human rights and Culture differences when some say practice your beliefs and religion by any means it is more like the suppression is to only abide by rules of those who do not share the idea of being yourself and all you can be just to serve the others needs ...So this is Christmas and there are those who do not value life, beliefs, and freedom to be so the rulers have just shown the public material world is more important to them what ever happen to value humanity and peace ...Well, hoping all good will ...
What is the government afraid of? Think about this deeply...WHAT are they afraid of? There is a much bigger deeper reason why they won't allow this - is it because they KNOW that the ceremonies actually work? They are trying to interfere with the energies at those temple sites in a desperate attempt to hold onto their ruling over the people on this planet. They are attempting to disrupt "the awakening"..
what!!?? are u kidding? there's NO excuse for banning the RIGHT of making ceremonies for this mayan people. These are mayan temples and land, that are FOR/FROM the mayas, is their heritage!.. SOMEONE DO SOMETHING!!! don't let this BS government do what they want, they only want the money!
Mother in the end always takes care of us in body, spirit, and mind. Slow but steady wins the race, just like the tortoise and the hare. Control Thy self, understand we are survivors. The heavenly bodies guide us, but we are reflections of the Devine, the children of God, all chasing the white rabbit to choose, do we meet the magician by being pulled out of the hat? If so, you will always be late. Let those who sold their souls case their dreams. In the meantime, you've lost your marbles kid, follow your bread path, and come back to home. Alpha and omega, beginning and the end. As long as we live and die we hold the secret of immortality. Enjoy ;-)
TO MANY MISSING WHAT IS IN FRONT OF THEM ........ BUT SOME CANT SEE WHAT IS NOT VISABLE .. ... BUT THE REASON IS ...................... OTHER PEOPLE NOT OF THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE WANT TO BE STANDING WHERE OUR PEOPLE ARE TO BE STANDING ............. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TEMPLE OR PYRAMID THIS IS HAPPENING ................... WHILE EGYPT IS FIGHTING THEY ARE NOT AT THE PYRAMIDS DOING WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING ........ BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE THERE WHO ARE NOT OF THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE ......... WHO ARE WANTING TO BE STANDING THERE AS WELL.....SO THEY KEEP THE PEOPLE....... PAYING PEOPLE TO KEEP THE FIGHTING GOING SO .......... IF YOUR NOT DOING WHAT YOUR SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THEN THEY(OTHER PEOPLE) WONT TELL YOU THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO TAKE YOUR PLACE ................ :) ......... NOW YOU KNOW THE TRUTH ...... WEATHER YOU TAKE IT OR NOT ITS UP TO YOU ....... ORIGINAL PEOPLE ARE TO BE IN CEREMONY ALL OVER THE WORLD
WHERE IS THE NASA LINK ABOUT THIS ...... WAS TAKEN DOWN..... WHERE I SPEAK ABOUT NASA BEING FROM THE NAZI'S FROM GERMANY AND THAT THEY ARE NOT A U.S COMPANY BUT THEY ARE A PRIVATE COMPANY HERE... ALSO THAT THEY ARE NOT TELLING YOU ALL THE TRUTH ABOUT WHATS COMING, BECAUSE THEY LIKE KILLING. ...... BUT SEEN THE VIDEO AS IT WAS A LINK TO THIS ONE ......... BUT NOW IS GONE ??? ........... AND STILL WHAT IS THE FOLLOW UP STORY TO THIS ONE ..........
@leadhorse: You are authoring to convert, stop. People will either get it our they won't. Hold your truth to yourself. The only time I share my truth is when it is needed for comfort. But fret if you wish, it will only end to your own demise. And if I'm wrong, so be it, I'll learn to do better on the next cycle. Either way, the works and glories of God are always lived vicariously through a third eye. Truth spreads in all directions, just remember each idea holds just as much truth as the next, but also just as many lies. We will never yet until the golden age have the capacity and depth of knowledge and wisdom as the great understanding. So you always must use wisdom to question and humble yourself. You are a man, as a reflection of Devine, but how many mirrors do you think you must pass to actually see his face and step back to you're fate of for now just being another, now more highly evolved, yet still ignorant monkey?
@anonymous ......if your in that bbile then you wont know anyway ...... your fate is not like the experience of the original people ..... so you would not get it or understand anyway .................... your people always find things of ours .. which is written in stone/not paper like yours is ............ you always misunderstand and we dont tell your people everything .. we just gave your people time to know what you are ....... and that is nothing like what are people are ...... so you as a people are not of us or like us ......... at least i put a name to this .. as you dont ..
and yes you are wrong ...... but then again you dont understand ....... but only know a little but is still wrong for the whole .......
Then why judge those who are ignorant. Obviously i have came to accept my fate, and if I an a lesser being to you because you have had a greater touch with the great understanding, then so be it. I am not jealous, do not envy nor despise you, however know that i have asked for guidance from all over, and the only thing that has guided me thus far has been being that who watches and observes. I have found good in all things, no matter how evil, I judge no one for their mistakes for no matter where we are subconsciously, we still bleed the same, love the same, fear the same. Perhaps not in the same ideas, but those feelings are still there. Without the spread of each feeling in each thing we create, we have no balance. I need not tell you these things though, for you should understand that there is truth in what I say. However, do not attempt to persecute or look down apon others who are your brothers, children, experiments, for we all have the same creator, which has been passing the torch for generations. The Bible or any book of faith is a tool, truth is in ones self, and the reflections of out from this mother earth are what tells us what reality brings. Do what you feel is right, for our instincts are typically what serves us best. I do wish you the best on your trip, as I'm sure you are an old soul ready for your next journey. I'll stay to tend to the feilds and livestock, for I wish and trust the great understanding will place me where I need to be.
still dont have an understanding to what im saying ....... but it is that way because you were never meant to know the knowledge ....... you took what does not belong to you or your people . .... you could not live as instructed and you have hurt everything that is life ........... we are with creation, there is no seperation between us and the tree, water land and air .......... i was told they would come again and then was asked ......... do we help them again? .......... i told them ............. we have helped them enough ...........................
and no you wont stay and tend to anything nothing is for you or your kind
ghost dance is also completed .. what your people did at wounded knee which you still celebrate at new years
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7G2jwG7mV4&feature=share
I understand this, i have seen this and have been pulled and split, and hence after understanding was attained, wisdom was handed, spoken to, and shown an image of a queen. I know my knowledge is limited, but it is in accepting that i truly know nothing did i inherit what was given. If it is wrong to take which is given to you, then i am guilty. I only wish you well, and have enjoyed chatting with you, i just wish were weren't quite so closed, but I know that you've got your reasons. Much love goes out to you. :)
I HAVE NOT FOUND ONE GOOD FOREIGN PERSON. AND IF THEY HAVE A FRAUD DEED OR TITLE TO OUR LAND THEN NO THEY ARE NOT GOOD PEOPLE AND IF YOU INHERITED THINGS THAT DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU. AND IF YOU ARE HOLDING ONTO THINGS THAT ARE NOT YOURS NOR THEIRS ..... AND NEVER WAS .... THEN YES YOU ARE GUILTY IN THE EYES OF CREATION ....... AND I DONT ACCEPT ANYTHING FROM YOU...
Such a sad world we live in....
This should end with the calender. The Mayan Tempels belong to the Maya. They had built them and they have all the right on them. It is their land. They should perform their holy ceremonies as this is for the whole humanity's best- tourists should not be allowed to invade sacred space as much as the conquistadores. Only the holy people who know about it should be in and be respected in their sacredness so they can create the most strong and pure energy and intent.only people who do not understand about the holy energy of these places and their sacredness can be so cruel to cut that off from the people in the most important ceremony which affects us all.
if someone wants to lanch a petition last minute : http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?vl
I need to meditate.. the shift is strong...
P.S.
besides that I would love to lay down on the stones of Chitzen Itza and heal...