Documentary about the history of MAXIMON
Before the arrival of the Spanish, indigenous people turned directly to the Aj'quij, or Mayan spiritual guides, to seek advice of various kinds. The laws they had were those of basic coexistence. With the Spanish conquest, new laws came into being, which were unknown to them, and this is where Maximon appears.
There are several versions today about who Maximon was, so I decided to approach the Association of Barefoot Doctors of Chinique and interview its founder and Ajquij, Don Felipe Pol.
The interview begins by mentioning that Maximon's possible name was Francisco Simon, a lawyer by profession and of Spanish origin. He was the first defender of indigenous people against the injustices they faced due to being discriminated against, excluded, rejected, deprived of their rights, or removed from their lands. He advised and counseled them so they could understand these laws and be able to act or defend themselves against them.
At that time, indigenous leaders, healers, or people who refused to convert to Catholicism were captured. Maximon was the person who ensured their release. Additionally, it is believed that Maximon held a high hierarchical rank within the authorities, which helped him learn about the measures being taken so he could then warn the indigenous population and put them on notice.
When Maximon was discovered to be an advocate for indigenous people, he was persecuted, captured, and publicly tied up. Hence, the possible K'iche' name Mam Ximon, which means "tied grandfather." Imprisoned in a prison in Santiago Atitlán, indigenous people in large communities managed to free him and then supported him with protection, food, and clothing, as he was expelled from the society to which he belonged.
It is believed that Maximon drank liquor and smoked cigars. When he performed a favor for a certain person or family, he would ask for liquor or cigars in payment, or accept whatever the person had to offer.
After losing his job due to being expelled from the community, he took on all kinds of jobs, including being a watchman or guardian. He watched over merchants' stalls at night with candles, accompanied by his elderberry stick, which served as a weapon to defend himself against any eventuality that arose while he was guarding these businesses. Today, most of Maximon's images are made from elderberry wood.
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