Xtabay
Encyclopedia
Xtabay literally means 'Female Ensnarer' and can refer either to a Mesoamerican demon
who seduces and kills or a female deity of the hunt, along with the male Ah Tabay. The Xtabay is not to be confused with Ixtab
, a 16th-century Yucatan
goddess of suicides.
A legend
of Xtabay (the female demon) tells of two women who lived in a village in the Yucatán Peninsula
. One was named Xtabay, but people called her Xkeban (which means "prostitute", "bad woman" or "one who practices illicit
love"); the other was Utz-Colel (a good, decent woman).
People said Xkeban was sick with lust
and gave her favors to every man who asked her. Utz-Colel was virtuous
and honest. Xkeban had a good heart and kindly helped the poor
, sick and homeless, and also the animals abandoned for being considered useless, by giving up the jewellery and fine clothes she got from her lovers. She was not a haughty woman, nor did she insult other villagers. Xtabay humbly received the humiliations from the people of her village. On the other hand, Utz-Colel was cold, full of pride, harsh of heart and easily disgusted by the poor.
One day, Xtabay was not seen anymore. Days passed and a fine delicate perfume was smelled all over the village. People found it came from the house of Xtabay who had died there, alone.
Utz-Colel argued it wasn't possible, that the perfume couldn't be that of such a vile and corrupt body; nothing but decay and stench could come out of her. She argued that had to be bad spirits or demons still trying to tempt men. "If that is the odour of a dead prostitute, mine shall be incredible when I die", she said.
A few people buried Xtabay, feeling pity for her. The next day, her grave
was covered with beautiful flowers of a delicate perfume.
When Utz-Colel died, the entire village attended her funeral
; they remembered her virtue and honesty. To the amazement of the crowd, an intolerable stench came out from her grave.
The flowers growing on Xtabay's grave were named Xtabentún.
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
who seduces and kills or a female deity of the hunt, along with the male Ah Tabay. The Xtabay is not to be confused with Ixtab
Ixtab
Ixtab or Rope Woman was the Yucatec Mayan goddess of suicide according to Diego de Landa. In Yucatec society, suicide, especially suicide by hanging, was under circumstances considered an honorable way to die. Ixtab would accompany such suicides to paradise...
, a 16th-century Yucatan
Yucatán
Yucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida....
goddess of suicides.
A legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
of Xtabay (the female demon) tells of two women who lived in a village in the Yucatán Peninsula
Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...
. One was named Xtabay, but people called her Xkeban (which means "prostitute", "bad woman" or "one who practices illicit
Illicit
Illicit may refer to:* illicit antiquities* illicit drug trade** illicit drug use** Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act* illicit major* illicit minor* illicit work* Illicit Streetwear clothing company* Illicit...
love"); the other was Utz-Colel (a good, decent woman).
People said Xkeban was sick with lust
Lust
Lust is an emotional force that is directly associated with the thinking or fantasizing about one's desire, usually in a sexual way.-Etymology:The word lust is phonetically similar to the ancient Roman lustrum, which literally meant "purification"...
and gave her favors to every man who asked her. Utz-Colel was virtuous
Virtue
Virtue is moral excellence. A virtue is a positive trait or quality subjectively deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being....
and honest. Xkeban had a good heart and kindly helped the poor
Poor
Poor is an adjective related to a state of poverty, low quality or pity.People with the surname Poor:* Charles Henry Poor, a US Navy officer* Charles Lane Poor, an astronomer* Edward Erie Poor, a vice president of the National Park Bank...
, sick and homeless, and also the animals abandoned for being considered useless, by giving up the jewellery and fine clothes she got from her lovers. She was not a haughty woman, nor did she insult other villagers. Xtabay humbly received the humiliations from the people of her village. On the other hand, Utz-Colel was cold, full of pride, harsh of heart and easily disgusted by the poor.
One day, Xtabay was not seen anymore. Days passed and a fine delicate perfume was smelled all over the village. People found it came from the house of Xtabay who had died there, alone.
Utz-Colel argued it wasn't possible, that the perfume couldn't be that of such a vile and corrupt body; nothing but decay and stench could come out of her. She argued that had to be bad spirits or demons still trying to tempt men. "If that is the odour of a dead prostitute, mine shall be incredible when I die", she said.
A few people buried Xtabay, feeling pity for her. The next day, her grave
Grave (burial)
A grave is a location where a dead body is buried. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as graveyards or cemeteries....
was covered with beautiful flowers of a delicate perfume.
When Utz-Colel died, the entire village attended her funeral
Funeral
A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
; they remembered her virtue and honesty. To the amazement of the crowd, an intolerable stench came out from her grave.
The flowers growing on Xtabay's grave were named Xtabentún.