What were the Mayan rituals for rain and fertility?

History The Mayan Civilization Questions



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What were the Mayan rituals for rain and fertility?

The Mayans had various rituals for rain and fertility. One of the most important rituals was the Rain Dance, where they would perform dances and ceremonies to appease the rain god Chaac and ask for abundant rainfall. They believed that Chaac controlled the water cycle and could bring both beneficial rains and destructive storms. Another ritual was the offering of sacrifices, including animals and sometimes even humans, to the gods in exchange for fertility and bountiful harvests. Additionally, the Mayans would conduct ceremonies at sacred cenotes (natural sinkholes) and caves, as they believed these were portals to the underworld and had a direct connection to the gods of fertility and rain.