The Annals of the CakchiquelsArana Xajilá, Francisco Hernández
History
The Annals of the Cakchiquels
Arana Xajilá, Francisco Hernández
Cakchikel Indians; Cakchikel literature; Guatemala -- History -- To 1821
20. Truly it was fearful, the arrow-shooting and the fighting; but
soon they were routed by us, and half the fighting was in the
boats. When those of Nonovalcat and Xulpit had been routed, all the
warriors spoke: “How shall we cross over the sea, our younger
brother?” they asked. And we said to them: “We shall cross in the
boats, while our battle is not yet known.” Then we entered into the
boats of those of Nonovalcat; when we came from the east then we
entered them. Truly, it was fearful in the town and houses of those
of Zuyva, there in the east; for when we entered at the furthest
house, they could not understand how we had entered. Truly, it was
fearful there among the houses; truly, the noise was great, the
dust was oppressive; fighting was going on in the houses, fighting
with the dogs, the wasps, fighting with all. One attack, two
attacks we made, and we ourselves were routed, as truly they were
in the air, they were in the earth, they ascended and they
descended, everywhere against us, and thus they showed their magic
and their sorcery. All the warriors, each one by himself, returned
to the place, Tapcu Oloman; we gathered together in sadness, there
where we had put on our feathers, where we had adorned ourselves,
oh you our children, as was related by Gagavitz and Zactecauh. When
we asked each other where our salvation was, it was said to us by
the Quiche men: “As it thundered and resounded in the sky, truly in
the sky must our salvation be;” so they said, and therefore the
name Tohohil was given to them. The Zotzil nation said that really
there was salvation in the mouth of an ara, and so the name Cakix
was given to them. We, the Cakchiquels, we said: “Truly, in the
middle of the valley lies our salvation, entering there into the
earth.” Therefore the name was given, Chitagah. Another, who said
salvation was in the water, was called Gucumatz. The Tukuche said
salvation was in a town on high, so they were called Ahcicamag. The
Akahals said, “We may be saved in a honeycomb,” therefore they were
called Akalahay. Thus all received their names. Do not believe,
however, that many were saved. Do not forget that all these names
came from the east. But the Evil One scattered us abroad, said
Gagavitz and Zactecauh. Thus we spoke when we turned about in our
hills and valleys: “We lately took up our bows and shields, if
anywhere there was war; let us now seek our hills and valleys.”
Thus we spoke. Then we were scattered about in many places; then we
all went forth, each division its own way, each family its own way.
Then a return was made to the place Valval Xucxuc, and they passed
on to the places called Meme and Tacna, and they arrived at the
places called Zakiteuh and Zakiquva. They went on to Meahauh and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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