The Maya elder is part of the chief's entourage. The elders form the official representation of spiritual-cosmological deities. Here at the Baile del Torrito annual dance rehearsal. As an entrusted person, I was invited to be part of their entourage.

Spirituality in Guatemala has a wide range from ancient Maya wisdom to Christian belief, and many nuances in between, called syncretism. The brutal conquest has brought these necessary changes. Often Mayan deities are disguised as Christian saints, or Christianity has been convincing to a degree, so that a saint's meaning merged with that of a Maya deity. Here, after a procession around town, the brotherhood of Saint Tomas accompanies the saint-icon into the church.