The ash from a volcano eruption covered this typical Maya Village in its original state, much like Pompeii in Italy. These are the ruins of ordinary people, unlike many of the other well know monuments in Central America which are the ruins of the wealthy. Pictured below is a typical adobe house. The raised platforms on the left inside the home are where the inhabitants slept. Inside on the Right was most likely used for storage. Outside on the left is where the kitchen where they would grind the corn and cook meals over a wood fire.
Lake Atitlan is surrounded by many villages, in which Maya culture is still prevalent and traditional dress is worn. The Maya people of Atitlán are predominantly Tz'utujil and Kaqchikel. The Maya weave textiles and each group has their own pattern. Santiago Atitlán is the largest of the lakeside communities, and is noted for its worship of Maximón, an idol formed by the fusion of traditional Mayan deities, Catholic saints and conquistador legends. The institutionalized effigy of Maximón is under the control of a local religious brotherhood and resides in various houses of its membership during the course of a year, being most ceremonially moved in a grand procession during Semana Santa. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lago_de_Atitlán The rain was starting to let up as we walked through a maze of cobblestone alleyways to the house of Maximón. The courtyard was was thick with the smoke of incense and the light drizzle of rain collected on the blue plastic...
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