ADM Exploration Foundation

XIBALBA

The name Xibalba roughly translates to "Place of Fear" or "Place of Phantoms". The entrance to Xibalba was traditionally held to be a cave.

Xibalba (Xibalbá or Xibalbay) is a dangerous underworld ruled by the demons Vucub Caquix and Hun Came. Xibalba was described in the Popol Vuh to be a city or a realm that existed below the surface of the Earth.

In one intricate Mayan story, two brothers, One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu are playing ball, and annoy Death with their noisiness. The Lords of Death challenge them to a game, but first they must pass the six tests of Xibalba - passing through the 6 Houses: Dark House, Razor House, Rattling House, Jaguar House, Fire House, and Bat House

SIX HOUSES OF XIBALBA

The Popol Vuh describes six sections in the cave, the first being the Dark 'House', which appears to be where the leaders stayed as well as guests. Next is the Razor House, perhaps in reference to pointed rocks or stalagmites. Then is the Cold House, in obvious reference to a cold draft that whistles as it blows in. This area would have been several degrees colder then during the Ice Age period. The next room is the Jaguar House. this might refer to those who will later be forced to fight for the entertainment of the cave leaders. The Bat House, which is probably a literal reference to an area where bats, flew around. Finally there is the Fire House, probably a house that contains fire or heat as in a fire pit.