Mayan Indigenous Practices and Beliefs
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The Mayans believed in many Gods. They would do blood sacrifices to honor the Gods. Human sacrifice was the most common thing to do. The blood was then offered to the Gods. These sacrifices were used for rebirth, to mark a new era (a new king or calendar cycle), or to open a door for both worlds. They even had games during these sacrifices especially when they captured a rival leader. Blood was a power weapon to them as they used it as an offering. Mayans believed that the blood they sacrificed was necessary and in return the Gods will give them a good harvest, rebirth, or peace. They buried their dead relatives under their house with food and carvings of Gods to lead them to the afterlife. This was a form to give peace to the world. They believed that this will ease the way and their dead relatives will not haunt them or cause a bad harvest.
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Sources: :
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/Maya/p/The-Ancient-Maya-And-Human-Sacrifice.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSMTdGqw8Jc
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/Maya/p/The-Ancient-Maya-And-Human-Sacrifice.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSMTdGqw8Jc