Renovando el pacto con los dueños. Consideraciones etnográficas sobre las fiestas de San Diego y el hanliko’ol en una comunidad maya de Campeche

Abstract

In this paper I will discuss the diverse rituals dedicated to the Catholic Saints and the Mayan concept of dueños. I will demonstrate how both of these religious celebrations share multiple elements, such as certain acts of reciprocity (giving thanks, offering) that are obtained through divine intervention, magic, or miracles of the supernatural entities that reign in everyday Mayan life. Saints and Mayan dueños are similar in their functions but diverse in their origins, and they maintain close relationships with people in every aspect of life. Using recent fieldwork data I will compare different aspects of these rituals and celebrations, with which humans seek to interact with the divine in order to improve their quality of life.