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In the mythology of the Maya of Middle America, Xibalba (place of fright) was an underground realm of the dead. Caves and pools of water served as entry points to the realm. During the later part of its history, the Mayan empire was sometimes called the empire of Xibalba.

A story recorded in the Popol Vuh, the sacred book of the Maya, tells of a visit to Xibalba by the Hero Twins, Hunahpú and Xbalanqúe. Much earlier their father and uncle, also twins, had been summoned by the powerful lords of Xibalba. Disturbed by the brothers' ball playing on earth, the lords had invited them to the underworldland of the dead for a ball game and then killed them.

Later Hunahpú and Xbalanqúe were also ordered to come to Xibalba. There they passed through a series of trials in various houses, and in each house they faced a test of their wits, strength, and courage....