Hechicería, Nagualism and Entierros in Nebaj A Study of Witchcraft Beliefs in a Guatemalan Village L.M. van der Zwet Utrecht University Hechicería, Nagualism and Entierros in Nebaj A Study of Witchcraft Beliefs in a Guatemalan Village Bachelor Thesis Cultural Anthropology Utrecht University Author: Lilian van der Zwet Email address:
[email protected] Year: 2013 Student number: 3463176 Supervisor: F.M.P. Toll Photo 1 The central photo shows the remnants of a hechicería witchcraft ceremony at a ritual site in Nebaj. Photo 2 The photo on the right side of the page shows the fabric of the ‘corte’ or skirt from the ‘traje típico’, or typical clothing, from the women in Nebaj All photos in this thesis are made by the author, except when indicated different. 2 Preface From the beginning of my study at Utrecht University, we, my co-students and I, were informed about the possibility of performing fieldwork abroad. Especially the project of fieldwork in Guatemala was clearly communicated throughout our entire time as students. So, when it was ‘my time’ to start my final year as a bachelor student, I happily participated in the Guatemala project. Therefore I would like to express my gratitude to Utrecht University, and Marie-Louise Glebbeek for this opportunity. During the entire bachelor study, but especially during the eight weeks of fieldwork I have learned very much. Not only have I learned about anthropology, and the accompanying fieldwork methods, I have had the chance to be introduced and immersed in the Guatemalan culture, or more specifically the Nebajense culture.