THE UNDERWORLD

Ek Chuah
God of War

The Underworld is both feared and respected by the Maya. Filled with beings bearing malice towards humans, Xibalba is made up of nine levels of darkness and shaped like an inverted pyramid. Each level has a step: four descending from the West, four ascending to the East and a fifth step sitting over the center of the Underworld.

    All humans must make a dangerous passage through the Underworld on their way up to the Sky. In recognition of the arduous journey, the dead are buried with a new pair of shoes, wood to fend off wild animals and food, usually corn. The voyage takes them across lakes and rivers, crossings that can only be accomplished with the help of a dog as a guide. This belief is strong among the Ttzotzil, Tzeltal and Lacandon tribes of Chiapas, Mexico.

    The nine levels of the Maya Underworld are governed by the Bolon Ti Ku, consisting of nine ruling deities. In the fifth level, deepest of all, resides Ah Puch, God of Death, represented by a skull with it's spine and ribs exposed, always wearing bells. Helping him in his evil endeavors is the Jaguar God, the animal most revered and feared by the Maya.

    The Jaguar also helps the sun complete its nightly journey through the darkness, its spotted fur symbolizing the starry skies. The Lacandon Indians of Chiapas believe that one day the Jaguar will devour the sun, thereby obliterating life on Earth. In the meantime, the Sky and the Underworld continue their perpetual antagonism as the thirteen gods of the Sky combat the nine lords of the Underworld.

    The eternal confrontation between good and evil produces the natural phenomena on Earth. The benevolent gods are responsible for thunder, sunshine and rain; resisting these powers, the malignant gods—desirous of death and destruction—turn to drought, hurricanes and war.

    The need for balance between these forces is a powerful one and humans must do their part to achieve harmony on Earth. The Maya have an important role to play in this cosmic battle. Offerings and sacrifices must be made to appease the malignant gods and to keep the benevolent deities happy, so that they will continue to shower humanity with their gifts.