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Maximon embodies a blending of various Mayan gods, Catholic saints, and even the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado. In appearance he resembles more a bandit than holy man, yet he is revered as one of the most important protectors of the Mayan people of Guatemala.
According to legend he was brought into the village to give protection from witches and evil spirits, but the plan backfired somewhat when his shape-shifting figure (he would change his appearance in order to seduce the young women and men) and duplicitous nature showed he was just as capable of wreaking havoc as solving it. To tame their wanton saint, Maximon's arms and legs were cut off, and his head twisted backwards, his body trussed. In fact, the name 'Maximon' is derived from the name for the Mayan saint known as "the grandfather of the people" and the word for "tied up".
He is believed to enjoy the same things as us mere mortals, so when asking for his divine intervention believers ply him with alcohol, cigarettes and money.He considers all requests, both good and evil, and may even choose to ignore the request.
Maximon worship is most evident in the town of Santiago on Lake Atitlan, and it is here during Easter that a very special ritual takes place. During Lent Maximon is transformed into the figure of Judas Iscariot, and is paraded through the streets to be ritually hanged. Although the Catholic Church views Maximon as a pagan god, the local people see no contradiction between their worship of Christian and Mayan gods.
If you'd like the chance to get to know Maximon for yourself we are planning a photography tour to Guatemala next April, timed to coincide with the Semana Santa festival in Antigua. Details will be on our website soon, so stay tuned!
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Japan offers a dizzying delight of contrasts - a ride on a high-speed bullet train can land you in a town seemingly untouched by the modern world, and the classical Kabuki theatre still thrives in the land that gave us karaoke. Exploring the Yanaka district in Tokyo on foot will reward you with scenes of an old-world ambience that seems a far cry form the bustling city. Here you can find traditional craft shops and small temples, and sample the local snacks. Another highlight is the Sensoji Buddhist temple, the most sacred and magnificent in Tokyo. It's a beautiful work of architecture with soaring pagodas, and as the incense wafts through the air it's a reminder of the spiritual at the heart of Japanese culture. Kyoto is considered the cultural capital of Japan, and as it was relatively untouched by the destruction of the war its vast array of temples and shrines remain intact. Highlights include the Kiyomizute temple, a sit of pilgrimmage for centuries and where people still go to drink of the sacred spring. Perched on a hill it offers panoramic views of the city. Kyoto is also famous for the geisha, and in the evening it is possible to glimpse them in their gorgeous costumes making their way through the Gion district. Linking these two cities is the Nakasendo Trail, the route travelled by the shogun and samurai, a highway littered wtih history. Along the path you can wander through bamboo forests and lush forests that give way to carefully cultivated rice paddies, and discover charmingly preserved villages. Walking the trail gives us a feel for the essence of the countryside and for photographers offers interesting perspectives at every turn. This May you too can follow in the footsteps of the samurai with our Guest Artist Clyde Heppner, visit us here for more details. |
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The Photo Tours Abroad Book Club
Trying to understand the spiritual traditions of India can leave one's head spinning - there is a profusion of religions and sects, each with its own pantheon of gods and goddesses. In Nine Lives William Dalrymple does a fantastic job of introducing the reader to the different schools of religious thought; and as each story is told from a single practitioner's perspective it gives a very human account of Indian spirituality in the modern world.
Dalrymple has been living in India on and off for nearly thirty years, and his empathy for the people is obvious in the way his subjects have opened up to him. We meet such people as Hari Das, a lowly manual labourer who is transformed for three months of the year into the dancing incarnation of the god Vishnu, and as such exalted by even those of the Brahmin class. We meet a Devadasi, a temple prostitute, and learn that even the worship of the ancient goddess Yellamma can't protect their kind from the modern affliction of HIV. And there is the Jain nun, who has renounced food and is ritually starving herself to death for the sin of having formed an attachment to another person. This book is very moving in its depiction of each persons struggle along their own spritual road, and also poses questions about how these religions will continue in a rapidly developing society. In February our Guest Artist Nick Rains can take you on a more photographic journey of India, and help you to capture the contrasts for yourself. Visit us here for details.
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The Legends of Skye
The Isle of Skye is awash with legends and myths, and there is the belief that once you have been, you will never be free of its power.
The pinnacle of Old Man of Storr is one of the most stunning landmarks of the Isle, and has attracted it's own set of myths. One story is that in ancient times giant beings overwhelmed the island, and that when one of the giants died and was covered by the earth, his thumb was left sticking out of the ground.
Another fable concerning the rock is that when Christianity was first introduced into Scotland there was some heated debate about when Easter was to fall. To resolve the issue, a priest decided to go to Rome to ask the priest himself, however there was a transport problem. So the priest climbed the Old Man of Storr early one morning to summon the devil who was conveniently transformed into a horse. Along the journey to Rome the priest didn't dare to mention "God", or he would surely be found out, so he had to have his wits about him when answering the devil's questions about the journey.
The priest successfully completed his mission and the devil, impressed at the subterfuge of his foe, offered the threat "until we meet again.."
Next October our Guest Artist Ian Cameron will be leading a workshop to the Scottish Isles, allowing you to capture the grandeur of the landscape for yourself. Visit us here for details. |
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