Who was the Mayan god of merchants and cacao?

Ek Chuaj was the Maya god of merchants and cacao. He served as a patron of traders, travelers, journeys, and one of the most valuable commodities in the Maya world.

Maya merchants often traveled long distances carrying goods on their backs, and Ek Chuaj is commonly depicted with a pack of merchandise and sometimes a spear. The spear reflects the dangers of travel, since merchants had to protect themselves and their cargo on the road. Travelers could stack three stones and burn incense to him at night while seeking a safe return.

Cacao was central to Ek Chuaj’s identity because cacao beans were widely traded and could function as currency in parts of Mesoamerica. Owners of cacao groves held ceremonies in his honor during Muwan, a month in the Maya haab’ calendar. His images appear in Postclassic codices, including the Dresden and Madrid Codices.

Ek Chuaj is also called Ek Chuah or God M. The spelling “Ek Chuaj” is a recognized variant, so the stored answer identifies the correct deity rather than a different god.