Haab'

Definition

Haab' is the ancient Maya solar calendar consisting of 365 days, which reflects the agricultural cycle and important celestial events. It is divided into 18 months of 20 days each, plus a short month of 5 'unlucky' days at the end, known as Wayeb'. This calendar was vital in linking the Maya's cosmological beliefs with their agricultural practices and everyday life, influencing their creation myths, astronomical observations, and hieroglyphic writing systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Haab' consists of 18 months, each containing 20 days, followed by a 5-day period called Wayeb', which was considered a time of bad luck.
2. The first month in Haab' is Pop, and the last month is Wo, with each month playing a specific role in agricultural planning and festivals.
3. Haab' was used alongside the Tzolk'in calendar to create a 52-year Calendar Round, which was important for ceremonial events and timekeeping.
4. The Haab' calendar is closely linked to Maya cosmology, reflecting their belief in the cyclical nature of time and its impact on agricultural fertility.
5. Maya hieroglyphic writing includes references to Haab', allowing scholars to connect historical events to specific dates within this calendar system.

Review Questions

• How does haab' reflect the agricultural practices of the Maya civilization?
  • Haab' directly correlates with the agricultural cycle of the Maya by structuring the year around key planting and harvesting periods. The months within haab' are aligned with seasonal changes, helping farmers know when to sow and reap their crops. The importance of agricultural timing is further highlighted through festivals and ceremonies that take place at specific times within this calendar, demonstrating how intertwined their daily lives were with these cycles.
• Discuss the significance of Wayeb' in the context of haab' and Maya cosmology.
  • Wayeb', the five 'unlucky' days at the end of haab', held significant meaning in Maya cosmology as a period where negative energies were believed to be more potent. This time was often marked by rituals to ward off misfortune and prepare for the new year. The beliefs surrounding Wayeb' exemplify how the Maya viewed time not just as a linear progression but as a cyclical entity filled with spiritual significance that required careful navigation through rituals and offerings.
• Evaluate how haab' interacts with other calendars like Tzolk'in and its role in shaping Maya history and culture.
  • Haab' interacts with Tzolk'in to form a Calendar Round that lasts 52 years, crucial for tracking time across various aspects of Maya life. This interaction influenced historical record-keeping, as major events were often noted within both calendars, allowing scholars to reconstruct timelines. The combination of these calendars not only helped organize daily activities but also facilitated social organization, religious observances, and monumental inscriptions in hieroglyphic writing, reflecting a complex understanding of time that was integral to Maya identity and cultural continuity.

Related terms

Tzolk'in: The Tzolk'in is the 260-day sacred calendar of the Maya, composed of 13 cycles of 20 named days, used for religious and ceremonial purposes.

Long Count:

The Long Count is a non-repeating, vigesimal (base-20) calendar used by the Maya to track longer periods of time, often associated with historical dates.

Cosmology: Cosmology in Maya culture refers to their understanding of the universe, creation myths, and the relationship between celestial bodies and earthly events.