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The K’iche’ were the dominant Maya group, and their capital city, Q’umarkaj, was situated in the rocky Guatemalan highlands.
The newly relegated lower class of Indigenous people, however, continued to resist and strive to preserve their rights and culture, including their great works of literature, of which the Popol Vuh stands above the rest.
Father’s story gods had names like Hephaestus and Hera. Mother’s were Auilix and Xbalanque.
“Our world is full of stories,” she whispered in our secret language. It was a real language. Other people used it all the time, other K’iche’ Maya like my mother. But I wasn’t supposed to know it; we spoke it only when we were alone. “People are always arguing about which stories are true and which are not. It’s a pointless argument, for all contain a speck of truth about our world and ourselves. The only thing that matters is this: some stories are protected, safeguarded, and others are left to fade with time.”
They see only one truth, one story, and they take it so seriously they’re willing to kill those who think differently.”
“It’s our family’s sworn duty to protect this book. It’s a dangerous thing, but it keeps our ancestors alive; it is a way to honor them—”
“Nature is cruel, and people are worse.” Her gaze pierced into mine, her face softened, and her voice wavered. “I do hope to have many, many years with you, little bird. But if something were to happen to me, I need you to swear that you’ll guard it . . . with your life.”
“It is said that only the heirs of Lady Six Sky may wear this necklace, for all others shall be cursed by Lady Blood with a slow and painful death.”
We spoke of the other king of the highland Maya, whose Christian name was Don Juan Cortés, also known as Juan “El Grande.” He and the cacique, Lord Juan de Rojas, would’ve ruled together, like their fathers and grandfathers before them. They would’ve been brother kings, twin kings, like Hunahpu and Xbalanque, who defeated the lords of Xibalba before transforming into the sun and moon.
