http://fototeca.antropologia.uady.mx/ficha.php?buscar1=3R02146.jpg
This photo was taken below the steps of the convento de San Antonio de Pádua in Izamal. Izamal represents both the Mayan and Catholic cultures and is called “La Ciudad Amarillo” to represent the sun god ‘Kinich Kak Mo’ who has a pyramid built in their honor not far from the convent. I chose this picture because the town reminded me of Plaza Grande. Not just the famous architecture, but also in the overall set up of the towns. I realized that in both places, the church stands to be one of the biggest and oldest buildings (little to no renovations) and most importantly, they are always put in the center of the town/plaza. For example, further reflecting on Izamal, I found it interesting that the convent was built on top of the Mayan pyramid and that they had recycled many of the stones from the original pyramid to build their own Catholic Church.
The Spaniards tactics of colonization made it so that the Mayans could see themselves and their cultures reflected in the Spaniards colonial agenda. For example, El Castillo, a Mayan temple in Chichen Itza which represents the God/Deity of water “Kukulkan” could be compared to the religious practice of baptisms by the Spanish Catholics which was the practice of immersing one in water or pouring water on one’s forehead to symbolize purification. This also gave Mayans the ability to continue practicing their traditional religion and rituals under the guise of Catholicism during the conversion period forefronted by Adelantado Francisco de Montejo.
