Existence And Identity: Reconciliation And Self Organization Through Q'anjob' Al Maya Divination: Re Creating Social And Subjective Order In San Juan Ixcoy And San Pedro Soloma, Guatemala

by Eike Hinz

The book is based upon my fieldwork (15 months altogether; 1980/81 and vacations 1983-86) in the Q’anjob’al (Kanjobal or Kanhobal) area in the north-western highlands of Guatemala. It covers my collaboration with a diviner who uses the pre-Hispanic 260-day calendar in his consultations. This calendar and the divination system associated with it represent a “pre-scientific” theory of the order of life. The diviner’s consultations constitute a psychosocial therapy in which the existential problems and preoccupations of the clients are interpreted. The resolution of the problem is outlined and explained by me in theoretical terms. Various ethnographic and anthropological discoveries are highlighted in this book. I. Introductory A. Plan of the Overview / B. The 260-day calendar in Mesoamerica and divination as a folk theory of action / C. Fieldwork in San Juan Ixcoy / D. Ethnographic context / E. The cult of the holy bundle (Ordenanza) in San Juan Ixcoy. II. Core 1. Divination and Terminology, concepts and beliefs as a system / 2. Day-name Cultural themes and basic needs / 3. The analysis of the client’s problems / 4. Techniques of interpretation and the derivation of interpretations / 5. Therapy, counsels and psychosocial healing / 6. Reinforcing social identity and social control / 7. Existential Corresponding divination cases and beliefs / 8. An analysis of a complete case / 9. Learning how to participate in consultations (and how to divine) / 10. Theoretical considerations of Q’anjob’al Maya divination and consultation. III. Data appendices. IV. Photographic Color plates. Glossary. Index.
476 pages, incl. 41 color plates.
Cognitive Anthropology; Ethnophilosophy; Existence and Identity; Reconciliation; Self-organization; Problem Resolution; Divination; Social Order; Subjective Order; San Juan Ixcoy; San Pedro Soloma; Q’anjob’al; Kanjobal; Kanhobal; 260-Day Calendar; Alcalde Rezador; Ordenanza; Guatemala; Maya.

476 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008