Ceremonial Cocoa “Inner Fire”

Q’eqchi’ native village

Q’eqchi’ is a Mayan people that still exists in Guatemala. They settled around some hills near the Chixoy and Polochic rivers in approximately 600 BC, and had contact with ancient civilizations such as the Pipil, Toltec, Chichimeca and the great Mayan cities.

Kakaw is an ancient drink of the Q’eqchi’ Mayan people, which is used in many Mayan ceremonies.

In the mountainous Alta Verapaz region of Guatemala, indigenous Q’eqchi farmers grow some of the best cocoa in the world.

In the Lachuá Ecoregion, there is a beautiful lagoon considered a National Park since 1976: the Lachuá Lagoon, around which numerous Mayan Q’eqchi’ families live, mainly dedicated to the cultivation of cocoa.

Until the arrival of the Spanish, they were governed by chiefs who in turn depended on a great lord chosen by all the principals.

Archaeological sites with signs of jateado stone construction are Chajkar, Chimax, Chinama, Ku’k’uch in Chinapetén and behind the Calvary of San Pedro Carchá. The Calvary of Cobán is one of the most important Mayan ceremonial centers.

The main economic activity is represented by agriculture; Corn and beans are planted, which constitute the family food, complemented by the raising of birds, pigs and other domestic animals.

His name is spelled Kekchí (according to current spelling), or Q’eqchi’ (according to ancient spelling).

 

Mopán native village

The Mopán people are one of the Mayan towns in Belize and Guatemala in the department of Petén. Their indigenous language is also called Mopán, and it is one of the Yucatecan Mayan languages from Mexico, considered a language in danger of extinction.

Their diet is based on corn, from which a large number of their traditional recipes are derived: nuk (bun), tait (corn tamale), k’a k’aan ek’en (smoked cell thistle), chu’ uk wa (sweet toast).

The Mopán community specializes in fabric embroidery, with which they make shirts, blouses, bags, brush holders, tablecloths and slipcovers. Dacron fabric, wool and thread are used to create embroidery.

The Mopán language is part of the Mayan language family from Mexico. Although it has suffered a decline due to the influence of Spanish and English, it is still spoken in many Mopan communities. Some common words in Mopán include “K’iche’” (forest), “No’j” (wisdom) and “Tz’ikin” (bird). The preservation of their language is seen as a crucial component for the survival of their culture.

Currently, the Mopán face numerous challenges, including the preservation of their culture and lands in the face of modernization and globalization, keeping their traditions and language alive, adapting to changes without losing their essence.

The Mopán worldview understands the world as an interconnected entity where each element, whether human, animal or natural, has a vital role. This worldview influences all aspects of their lives, from agriculture to social relationships.

 

Cayenne pepper

Known and consumed since the time of the Mayans and Aztecs, they appreciated cayenne pepper for its healing and spiritual qualities, in addition to using it as a natural disinfectant and anti-inflammatory.

It increases the sensitivity of nerve endings, stimulating the release of endorphins, which is why it is recognized for its aphrodisiac properties.

According to legend, what the Aztecs knew as chili was confused by Christopher Columbus with pepper, which was so coveted in Spain. And this spice was imported from French Guiana, but the Genoese did not realize that the chili was spicy, mistakenly naming it cayenne pepper.

 

“Celian Cinnamon” and the Mayans / Aztecs

In ancient times, cinnamon (Cinnamomun Verum) became valuable more than its weight in gold, and was associated with rituals of sacrifice or pleasure.

Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Burma and India, its bark is spicy and sweet in flavor.

Cinnamon is one of the spices with the most antioxidant power thanks to its phenols and flavonoids. It is rich in vitamins B1 and C and minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, iron and potassium.

Traditional Chinese medicine considers it a Yang herb (hot properties) because it is spicy, sweet and therefore rich in digestive properties, increasing inner fire.

 

Vanilla and the Totonacos, Mayans and Aztecs

Vanilla was discovered by the Totonac culture, who called it “Xanath”, which means “black flower”. Vanilla was one of its most important plants, similar to what corn represented for the Aztecs, Teotihuacans, Mayans and Olmecs.

Vanilla, cocoa, annatto and corn were the ingredients of xocolatl, a cocoa drink that enlivened the political and nobility meetings of the Mayan and Aztec civilization; the latter knew the

vanilla by the name “tlilxochitl”.

Vanilla is feminine, it is associated with the planet Venus and the water element.

Traditionally, it is used for its properties related to love, sexual desire and mental powers.

The aroma of Vanilla has powerful calming and comforting properties. Thanks to its active ingredient, vanillic acid, it increases the natural secretion of serotonin and dopamine. Both ingested and when smelling its aroma, it has analgesic properties.