Mam (Maya mythology)

• In Kekchi-speaking Belize, 'Mam' is a general designation for the mountain spirits; four Mams were specifically associated with the four corners of the earth.
• In the Kekchi-speaking Alta Verapaz of Guatemala, one of the Mams is a greatly feared mountain spirit associated with earthquakes and inundations. An image of this Mam was apparently buried during the Holy Week.
• Among the Huaxtec Mayas, the Mams or Mamlabs are earth deities; there are three or four of them, the most important one being the violent originator of the rainy season.
• Among the Tzutujil Mayas of Santiago Atitlán, the Mam Maximón is a deity of merchants and travellers and of witchcraft. Assimilated to Judas, he is especially venerated during the last days of the Holy Week, and discarded afterwards.
• In 16th-century Yucatán, 'Mam' was also the designation of a straw puppet set up and venerated during the five unlucky days at the end of the year, when witchcraft was thought to be prevalent; at the conclusion of this period, the straw figure was discarded.