Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-08-03

Kaak and zibana is supposed to live in caves
on the shore of lake two or three days
walk from Chankin's camp.
On the other side of Hacha yum sat the
vessel of Tzacapook, the messenger or Ner
curry of the gods.
Next to the votive vessel devoted to Tzrca-
pook was one dedicated to the most curious
Of the Lacandon gods-Kyanto, the god of
all strange objects such as knives, metal OBJ
jects cats dogs and all individuals not Lacan-
dones. Strangely enough this god was an
indirect contribution from the white men. A
Spanish priest lived with the Lacandones
some $50 years ago and during the eight
years he spent with them impressed a sug
gestion of the Christian faith,
Since the word Kyanto has no meaning
in the Maya tongue. and resembles in sound
the Spanish word "Santo." for Saint it is
very possible that this incense burner with
its attributes of protecting all foreign things
is a survival of that very slight contact a
century and a half ago.
While talking with Chankin in the sacred
hut, Mateo entered, and without paying an,
attention To lis hogan preparing -tpe- hiirt4l+--
for the ceremonial. Black smoke poured from
the pots Mateo heaped odorous copal gum
on the fires.
Without stopping the chant he took two
Guiana palm leaves that had been lying to
one side OF the flaming vessels and held them
in the smoke Then he abruptly left the hut.
l. followed him to where the old women lay
helpless in her hammock. Mateo began his
chant again and touched the womans fore
head with the sacred leaves, imploring the
god Mensabok not to take her spirit
Although he well knew that she was
dying. still Mateo kept faith with the old
tradition. II was comforting too for the
woman. despite the fact that she realized she
could not live much longer
Finally Chankin again left the sacred hut.
I asked him whom the fervent prayers
had been made. He answered. "Mensahok
the cod who took away The q az and handed
thcm over 10 the underworld sods
Kisn the earthquake god and evil spirit,
would receive the old woman when she died,
he said. Kisin would eat her flesh and then
the great and all powerful god Hachayum,
who lived up in the sky would take the old
woman's blood and paint his house with II,
After the body had been consumed by
Ksin, and the blood disposed of by Hach-
ayum the good god Sukunyum, the elder
brother of Hachayum, would spit upon his
hands and wipe them upon the old woman's
soul whereupon she would be cleansed of all
earthly sins and would be free 20 go where
she pleased in the spirit world
Chankin explained that Sukinyum was
never seen on the earth or in the sky, and
that his work aside from cleansing souls of
earthly sin, to carry the Sun on his
shoulders. The Sun, being a sky god could
not touch the defiling Earth and il was SUI
kunyum's task 10 keep him from earthly
contact.
Then Chankin took me 20 a small en-
closure made Of reeds outside the sacred hut.
In the center Of the reeds sat small clay
incense vessel Of the same type as those in
the sacred hurt
That i7 SuRunvm" said the chief
stared at the clay pot IN its shelter Of
reeds Did this humble thing have the powe-
to communicate with the powerful gods?