What Role Did Cocoa Play In Mayan Culture

Consuming more than 3 million tons of cocoa a year, cocoa is not just a staple in today’s society but played a huge role in many Ancient South American cultures religiously, ritually, and medicinally. Historians believe the Olmec’s were the first to discover this decadent bean but the Mayan’s soon took over, paving the way for how it is used and viewed today (McNeil, 1-28).
In Ancient South American cultures, the cocoa bean played a significant role in religion, rituals and medicine. It was believed that the Olmec’s were the first ones to discover the bean but by 300 AD, the Olmec’s had vanished and the Myan civilization eventually took over. Since the Mayan civilization was located in what is now the southern part of New Mexico, the tree

Cacao is an important part of mortuary rituals for the dead and living. Cacao was offered to those sacrificed but also used to accompany the deceased. It was also consumed while preparation for the funeral services happened. The Mayans were also found buried with personalized cacao cups with text around the rim otherwise known as the Primary Standard Sequence, which includes the name of the deceased and the type of cacao been it held (Figure 6). Decorative elements on items made by the Mayan’s were very popular at the time. It gave them the ability to record and illustrate what was happening in their culture at the time. The “Dazzler Vase” shown in (Figure 7) is a cylinder tripod vessel that was found with residue of cacao that indicated it held some sort of drink. Many of these were found as offerings for deceased rulers. It was important to make sure that whoever dies was prepared in the afterlife therefore, burying them with sacred items like cups and bowls full of chocolate (Kerr p. 22). Figure 8 also shows family members and relatives all coming together in order to make and serve all the sacrifices that could be needed for the afterlife. In a way chocolate brought people together in their society whether it be growing it, drinking it, or making ceramic pottery to hold it (Iquaz p