Guatemalans about the Supernatural: Tales Told Around the Campfire in an Archaeological Expedition

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2022-1/134-149

Abstract

The present work is dedicated to the supernatural stories that the author heard and documented during the archaeological expedition in El Encanto (Petén, Guatemala) in 2018. In expeditions, stories of this kind are usually shared around the campfire. In El Encanto, such a campfire was maintained during the whole night, and the archaeologists could gather around and spend their evenings telling their true-life stories. Among many tales about the well-known supernatural beings, such as La Llorona, Sombrerón, or Sihuanaba, the most important were the ones of the mystical experiences of the storytellers themselves. Regardless of gender, age, or education, completely different people could tell supernatural stories. Sharing such experiences is common for Guatemalans; they are not afraid of being accused of lying or people laughing at them. These stories are of the greatest value for understanding the perception of the supernatural by the people of Guatemala