What do we know of the rituals carried out by the Mayan civilisation? - Teacher notes

The Mayan civilisation, known for its rich and complex cultural heritage, practiced a variety of rituals deeply rooted in their religious beliefs. The Maya were polytheistic, worshipping numerous gods, each representing different facets of life. To appease these deities and ensure favour, the Maya engaged in frequent rituals that included offerings. These offerings ranged from animal sacrifices to, on certain solemn occasions, human sacrifices. These acts were integral to their religious observance and were conducted with great reverence and solemnity.

The Mayans held a cosmological view that the Earth was shaped like a vast turtle floating on an endless ocean, with the sky above sustained by four mighty entities known as Bacabs. Their cosmology also included the belief in a tiered universe, with the sky consisting of 13 levels. Warriors who fell in battle or individuals who were sacrificed were believed to ascend to these higher planes of existence. Conversely, those who passed away through natural causes were thought to journey to Xibalba, a dark and mysterious underworld that was said to contain nine levels. These beliefs in the afterlife and the spiritual realms played a significant role in the everyday life and rituals of the Mayan people.