Divination Bowls and Blood Simulacra in Colonial and Contemporary Mesoamerican Curing

Authors

Servando Z. Hinojosa, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2005

Abstract

This study discusses 17th century Nahua practices of water divination in light of contemporary types of bowl divination practiced by Kaqchikel Mayas of Guatemala. The author argues that part of the efficacy of bowl divination among Kaqchikels, and possibly among Nahuas, rests upon the transformation of the water used into a simulacrum of blood. The creation and subsequent manipulation of this simulacrum enables the ritualist to effectuate key changes to the client's state of blood and, by extension, to the client's state of spirit.

Comments

Preserved in ScholarWorks.

Recommended Citation

Hinojosa, S. Z. "Divination Bowls and Blood Simulacra in Colonial and Contemporary Mesoamerican Curing." Acta Americana 13.1-2 (2005): 79-99.

First Page

79

Last Page

99

Publication Title

Acta Americana