A female Ajq'ij (spiritual guide, sometimes translated as shaman) was performing a ceremony. A local woman was kneeling in front of the effigy, where several prayer candles were lit. The Ajq'ij placed her hand on the crown of the woman's head and spoke prayers aloud. We felt humbled to witness this. This was not something being done for the sake of tourists. This was a woman's personal spiritual experience, the process of petitioning Maximon to intercede on her behalf with God. It was quite powerful.