CHUC NICHIM,THE WASHING OF THE FLOWERS – A LOOK AT TRADITIONAL PRESERVATION PRACTICES

Abstract

The ceremonies of the Maya people of Chiapas, Mexico, combine Catholic symbolism and ancient ritual. The clothes belonging to the effigies of saints, as well as other textiles, are taken out of storage, washed, dried and incensed in preparation for the saint's feast day. One such feast, Chuc Nichim, is described in detail, and the conservation implications of the rituals are discussed.