Instances of Maya Witchcraft in the 18th Century Totonicapan Area

Abstract

Of all subjects in Maya culture and all periods of its history, none is less well known than the world-view of Maya people during the Colonial period. The methodological problem is formidable. How can one discover the beliefs, the world view of this largely non-literate people? To what documents can one turn for information on such a subject? The major Colonial chronicles are of some help in this regard as are the Spanish-Maya dictionaries of the period. Yet, with few exceptions, we arc able to collect only scraps of information and, more importantly, even these are the results of interpretations made' by individuals of European culture.1 Is there any way to get more or less direct statements of Maya people themselves during this period?