Ritualized Conversion among Maya Pentecostals of Ixtahuacan, Guatemala

Authors

Michael Jones, Brigham Young University
Dr. John Hawkins, Brigham Young University

Keywords

ritualized conversion, Maya Pentecostals, Ixtahuacan, Guatemala

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Abstract

Among two Ki’che’ Pentecostal congregations, I examine conversion as a process for reconstructing one’s disrupted symbolic system or world view. This reconstruction is effected through rituals revealed in ritualized recitation of one’s conversion narrative and in the examination of group interaction. I explore three aspects of the conversion process—motive, mode, and choice of congregational affiliation after acceptance of “el evangelio”—and place conversions in historically and socially relevant contexts. I find that through conversion narratives individuals learn the proper form of conversion and socialization. The narratives reveal the proper way to reform and reconstruct a disrupted symbolic system.

Recommended Citation

Jones, Michael and Hawkins, Dr. John (2013) "Ritualized Conversion among Maya Pentecostals of Ixtahuacan, Guatemala," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 94.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/94