Pedro Rafaél González Chavajay

The villagers of San Pedro la Laguna share a communion of atol (corn gruel) in the ritual blessing of the seed corn. Almost no children are present, and the adults' solemn faces reflect the sacredness of the ritual.

The Maya call themselves "Men of Corn," recognizing their essential relationship to this staple crop. This ceremony is carried out after the first rains, usually in May, to bless the carefully selected seed corn that will be sown in the hillside cornfields.

In some communities, small human figures made of cornmeal are consumed, rather than atol. (See Maria Elena Curruchiche, "Abuelita Ixmucane / Grandmother Ixmucane".)

Pedro Rafaél González Chavajay Consagración del Maíz / Blessing of the Corn
Oil on canvas - 30 x 40 in. 2005
The villagers of San Pedro la Laguna share a communion of atol (corn gruel) in the ritual blessing of the seed corn. Almost no children are present, and the adults' solemn faces reflect the sacredness of the ritual. The Maya call themselves "Men of Corn," recognizing their essential relationship to this staple crop. This ceremony is carried out after the first rains, usually in May, to bless the carefully selected seed corn that will be sown in the hillside cornfields. In some communities, small human figures made of cornmeal are consumed, rather than atol. (See Maria Elena Curruchiche, "Abuelita Ixmucane / Grandmother Ixmucane".)