Ancient Maya Boxers

Material culture such as ceramic vases, paintings and clay statuettes confirm that, for centuries, the ancient Maya practiced "conch boxing", wearing conch shells as knuckle dusters on their hands & wooden helmets (representing deities or divine ancestors) for protection. Such fights were most likely part of a ritual related to rain. Clay statuettes of fighters with removable helmets portraying these boxers have been found in archaeological sites such as El Perú / Waka' in Petén, Guatemala. The same kind of attire and boxing equipment is present in a painted polychrome vessel found in the site of Lubaantun, southern Belize, marking distinct regions of the wide Maya area where this ritual boxing was practiced at least since the late preclassic period (ca. 200 b.c). This tradition also spread throughout Mesoamerica, existing today in Oaxaca and Guerrero. Based on the study of the iconography of both water and fire deities, it can be assumed that the fight between the two teams reflects the confrontation between the elements of fire and water. The Aztec term for war (atl-tlachinolli) translates to "burning water". Some sources record on the figures of fighters the attributes of the jaguar - the deity of the underworld and the supernatural patron of fire. On the other side we see the command of the deity of rain and water. Martial arts were held on a hill and had the goal of bringing rain, which was important for irrigation. After drinking alcohol, two teams of 3-5 people started the fight. The fighters picked up "gloves" from large spiked shells and struck another until they lost consciousness. The head of the boxers was protected by a deaf helmet most likely made of wood and often representing deities. Today, this tradition lives through the dance / fight of the Tecuanes (plural of Tecuani a Nahuatl name for the Jaguar) in the State of Guerrero, Mexico, performed as part of the Atzatzilistli, a traditional Nahua festival asking for rain. Nowadays, this occur in the community of Acatlán and Zitala - but, of course, with actual boxing gloves. Mixed media animation (ink line work on paper, digital painting and animation) by Zamahel, 2023