Mexican archæology : $b an introduction to the archæology of the Mexican and Mayan civilizations of pre-Spanish AmericaJoyce, Thomas Athol
History
Mexican archæology : $b an introduction to the archæology of the Mexican and Mayan civilizations of pre-Spanish America
Joyce, Thomas Athol
Mayas -- Antiquities; Mexico -- Antiquities
far the most important of the Quiché rulers, but the power which he
gained was not maintained even throughout his reign. For the events
which commenced the decline of the Quiché domination we must go to the
annals of the Kakchiquel, in which it is stated that two of Quicab’s
sons, who no doubt occupied the position of sub-chiefs, took advantage
of certain discontent among his subjects to refuse the tribute due to
their father and overlord. The sedition seems to have succeeded to the
extent that Quicab’s authority was considerably weakened, and it was
followed by a more serious defection in the form of a revolt on the
part of the Kakchiquel as related below. None of Quicab’s successors
wielded the power which he exercised in his most prosperous years, and
at the time of the conquest the Kakchiquel, Tzutuhil and other tribes
had regained their independence.
In the Kakchiquel annals we find again a list of kings, though five
fewer than the corresponding list of Quiché chiefs, but dates are
for the most part lacking, though the revolt of a sub-tribe in the
reign of the sixth ruler can be fixed as the starting-point of the
chronological system current at the discovery. Again we find Tulan
mentioned as the point of departure, but the statement is made that
there are four Tulans, one in the east, one in the west (whence the
Kakchiquel themselves came), one at Xibalba (the underworld) and one
“where god is.” It is impossible not to see in this a reference to the
four cardinal points, which, as has been pointed out, were of such
ceremonial importance among the Mexicans. The names of the ancestors
of the Xahila division of the Kakchiquel are given as Gagavitz and
Zactecauh, and after the creation they brought tribute to Tulan
together with the Zotzil, the other division, consisting of jade,
silver, feather-work and carvings. All that they brought away with them
were their arms, bows and shields, and throughout the early portion of
the annals insistence is continually being made on the fact that the
Kakchiquel were warriors of the hills. “Let your rounded shields be
your riches, your bows, your bucklers ... there in the hills shall you
lift up your faces.” Various other tribes are mentioned as starting
from Tulan about the same time, including the Rabinal, Tzutuhil, and
Tukuchi, the last becoming subject subsequently to the Kakchiquel. A
number of place-names occur in the account of the migration, which do
not admit of identification, and at one point the sea is said to have
been crossed by means of a causeway of sand which miraculously made
its appearance. Finally the travellers come to Tapcu Oloman, where
they fought with those of Nonoualcat, who come against them in boats,
a statement which must surely point to the Olmec and the region east
of the Totonac (between the rivers Papaloapan and Usumacinta) known
to the Mexicans as Nonoualco. Whilst here they made an attack upon
Zuiva, but were defeated. At this point the wandering peoples, who
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account