Mam, Saint Simon, Judas, Pedro Alvarado, and the emergence of
MAXIMON Archetypal Tricksters, Religious Syncretism, and Mestizo
culture
Slide 2
The Trickster Archetype An archetype is a character that
represents some universal aspect of the human psyche and the
interplay of the individual and society The trickster is often a
God or a Totem Spirit who: Rebels against authority Makes fun of
the self-important Concocts convoluted schemes to satisfy base
emotions and urges
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The Trickster Archetype The trickster is a wise fool Famous
tricksters Kokopelli Loki Judas Iscariot Eshu Coyote Bugs
Bunny
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The Many Gifts of the Trickster Fire Pregnancy/Babies and the
Paternity Uncertainty problem Humility The trickster questions and
makes us examine things that are left unexamined. The trickster
arrives when things are dysfunctional and a new beginning is
needed. The trickster can destroy worlds and save us all at the
same time.
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The Trickster and Gender Most Tricksters can shape shift and
often change gender Two-spirit tricksters are common in indigenous
beliefs Loki caused Thor to cross-dress and himself shape shifted,
got pregnant by a giants stallion, and birthed an eight legged
horse. Tricksters often use their supernatural powers to impregnate
maidens and wives and offer a solution to how women might get
pregnant when husbands are not presenta solution to Paternity
Uncertainty Tricksters ask us to question rigid gender roles and
our simple dichotomous thinking Tricksters have fun, enjoy their
bodies (and others too), and dont worry about gender hang ups
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Is Bugs Bunny a trickster god? Bugs the Infamous Playful
Cross-Dressing Prankster
Slide 7
Religious Syncretism The combination of different forms of
belief or practice Often occurs when new ideas are forced upon
indigenous peoples but can occur organically Usually begins by
attempts to understand new beliefs in the old framework
Slide 8
MAM The Ancient One of the Maya Pantheon Snaggled-tooth and
humped back like Kokopelli He must be appeased or there will be
discord in the world Very early forms he could control Hurricanes,
Earthquakes, Jaguars and could bring disaster, pain, suffering, and
death Sacrifices can keep you on his good side God of the
underworldhad to be tricked to resurrect the corn god after three
days
Slide 9
Saint Simon Simon the Zealot was an apostle of Jesusabout all
we know Often depicted with a saw as in some legends he was
martyred by being cut into pieces
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Judas Iscariot Judas Iscariot was an apostle of Jesus and
betrayed him to his death with a kiss Iscariot may mean dagger,
liar, or betrayer depending on the translation He recently has been
recognized for his role in the trickster tradition. He destroyed
and saved the world at once and ironically with a kiss. Recent
ancient writings shed new light on his role as a reticent
participant in the crucifixion He sent Jesus to the underworld
where he could be resurrected
Slide 11
Pedro Alvarado Second in command of the new world under Cortez
Led many massacres including Tenochtitlan Destroyer of worlds Noted
for his cruelty and for conquering Guatemala Rape and exploitation
of women was common for his troops
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Pedro Alvarado Had no children from his two Spanish wives but
three children from his companion Luisa de Tlaxcala Luisa was a
Mayan noblewoman with many valuable possessions Her offspring were
wealthy and powerful in Guatemala for many generations and began
the Mestizo/Ladino elites
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MAXIMON Sounds like Saint Simon or San Simon Or could be a
blend of the Mayan god Mam and Simon
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MAXIMON Many say he looks like Pedro de Alvarado
Slide 15
Maximon Believed to be a variation of the God Mam the
underworld ruler who must be appeased Legend says when the men were
away working in the fields Maximon slept with all their wives (like
Pedro de Alvarados conquistadores) When the men returned they were
enraged and cut off his arms and legs (link to Saint Simon)
Slide 16
Maximon Mam/Maximon is a trickster who seduces women, demands
tribute, and can bring big trouble Like Judas Mam/Maximon sent a
god to the underworld to be resurrected Maximon sometimes replaces
Judas in Santa Semana parades
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Slide 18
The Cult of Maximon Practiced in the Guatemalan Highlands in a
handful of communities, most notably Santiago de Atitlan Maximon
spends one year in a local residents house where a room is
transformed into a shrine
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The Cult of Maximon Statue is usually stubby no arms or legs!
Usually has a hole for a mouth for lit cigars or for pouring liquor
into him People leave sacrifices of tobacco, liquor, money or other
luxury items Tobacco is burned like incense around him He is often
draped in fancy scarves from women perhaps as a sign of favor His
boons are many: Health, good crops, happy marriage
Slide 20
Maximon in the 21 st Century
Slide 21
Mestizo culture Nearly EVERYTHING in Mestizo Culture is as
beautifully complex as Maximon This blending is sophisticated and
of great value to people to understand and make sense of their
world Cultural Universals like the Trickster Archetype tell us
about ourselves and in the case of the trickster the silly or wrong
things we do