Page:Mexican Archæology.djvu/329

Rh Ceh. No festival is recorded.

Mac. A ceremony was held by those more advanced in life to the Chac, fertility gods, associated with Itzamna. A large fire was lit in the temple court, into which were cast the hearts of various animal sacrifices, lions, tigers and crocodiles. If animals of this size could not be obtained, imitation hearts, formed of copal, were offered instead. The Chac priests then quenched the fire with water, a ceremony which, by imitative magic, was supposed to ensure a good rainfall.

Kankin. No festival mentioned.

Muan. 'The proprietors of cacao plantations held a festival to their patrons, the Chac, Hobnil and Ekchuah, sacrificing a dog with a cacao-coloured patch and making other offerings, including feathers. At the ensuing feast not more than three cups of wine might be drunk by the participators.

Pax. During this month a ceremony took place which was supposed to bring good luck in warfare. The priests and lords of the provincial towns assembled at the capital and passed five nights in prayer in the temple of the god Cit-chac-coh, together with the Nacon who was carried thither in divine state amidst clouds of incense. After this the populace at large joined in the proceedings, a fire-sacrifice, similar to that in Mac, was made, and the Nacon was carried round the temple. A dog was then sacrifiedsacrificed [sic] by the Chac, and its heart was offered between two plates, and after each of these officials had broken a vessel containing wine, a feast took place at which only the Nacon remained sober.

After this month no great festival was held until the new-year ceremonies, but various minor local feasts were celebrated, and a great deal of time was spent in eating and drinking.

The later Yucatec, we are told, were in the habit of setting up a "stone" to commemorate the commencement (or the end) of a katun (period of 7200days,