supposed to exclude all evil. Finally new fire was made by the Chacs and fresh incense was offered; the proceedings terminated with a feast.
Uo. No special ceremonies attached to this month, but the priests commenced to fast in preparation for the next.
Zip. A festival in honour of Kinich-ahau Itzamna was held, at which the priests exhibited their religious books of bark-paper, and uttered the prognostications, regarding the fortunes of the year, which their calculations had revealed. Next day their bags of charms were exposed to view, including all images of the goddess Ixchel and the divining-stones, and the gods of medicine were invoked. 'The hunters and fishers also held a private festival during this month. The former performed a dance holding arrows and the heads of deer, while the latter painted their fishing-implements blue, a sacred colour. These ceremonies took place on different days, and in honour of special gods whose names are given by Landa. When the fishing-festival was finished. in the towns, the lords repaired to the coast, where it was repeated.
Zotz. Bee-keepers prepared for their festival in the next month.
Tzec. The bee-keepers' festival, to Hobnil and the other Bacabs, during which much honey-wine was offered and consumed. 5
Xul. The great festival to Kukulkan, held at Mani after the destruction of Mayapan. 'The other provinces sent deputations with great feather banners, which were placed in the temple; new fire was made, idols exhibited, and five nights were spent in singing and dancing, during which professional singers went from house to house of the lords. The offerings consisted mainly of food and drink, and the deputations departed taking with them the banners which they had brought.
