All Saint's Day in the Chajul cemetery

Voices and images: Mayan Ixil women of Chajul

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Two: The culture of the Maya Ixil

4. All Saints’ Day in the cemetery of Chajul

All Saints’ Day, the first of November, is a special day for them because everyone who has deceased loved ones, especially people who practice the traditional religion, speak to their loved ones who have died and they gather in the cemetery to celebrate a Mass.

In former times our ancestors told stories about how 20 days before All Saints’ Day the dead come out, visit their houses, and walk in the town, mostly at night. When someone dies during the month of October, they stay to take care of the house, or guard the place where the dead are or where the dead come out. And when people die during the month of November, it’s so they can help to carry the belongings of the people who have already passed away or for others who come back to visit. It is traditional to ring the church bell all night and all day. Our ancestors thought that ringing the bell calls the people who have died in other places or outside the township so that they can celebrate All Saints’ Day together. Also, during the whole day and night a candle is lit; they put out an ear of corn, güisquil, and cooked ayote to satisfy the hunger of the dead. This is what both the people who practice the traditional religion and the Catholics do.