The Annals of the Cakchiquels - Part 16
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Part 16

_The Arrival of the Castilians at Xetulul._

144. Va[c]a te chupam huna ok ki xeul Castilan vinak; xcavinak ok rubeleha, ok xeul Castilan vinak Xepit Xetulul; chi hun [t]anel xcam [c]echevinak chiri ruma Castilan vinak, Tunatiuh Avilantaro rubi, cahaual ri ki xkacan ronohel ama[t]; mahaok tetamax vi quivach [c]a tahinok ti [t]ihalox chee, abah.

144. It was during this year that the Castilians arrived.

Forty-nine years have pa.s.sed since the Castilians came to Xepit and Xetulul. On the day 1 Ganel the Quiches were destroyed by the Castilians. Tunatiuh Avilantaro, as he was called, conquered all the towns. Their countenances were previously unknown and the people rendered homage to sticks and stones.

145. Xul chi[c]a Xelahub, xeyaar chic [c]eche vinak chi camic chiri, tok xbokotah chi[c]a el [c]eche vinak, ronohel [c]ulelaay richin Castilan vinak, okix yaar chic [c]eche vinak chuvach pe Xelahub.

145. On their arrival at Xelahub, the Quiche nation was routed and destroyed. All of them had hastened there to oppose the Castilians; and there the Quiche nation was destroyed, in front of Xelahub.

146. Tok xul [c]a ha tinamit [t]umarcaah, cani [c]a x[c]ul c.u.ma ahaua ahpop ahpop [c]amahay, cani xya patan ruma [c]eche vinak; xa[c]a cani xeoc ahaua pa [c]hi[c]h ruma Tunatiuh.

146. He then went to the city Gumarcaah, and there came before him the chiefs, the king and the next in rank, and tribute was paid by the Quiches; and the chiefs suffered many torments from Tunatiuh.

147. Chi cahi [c]at [c]a xepe rox ahaua ahpop, ahpop [c]amahay ruma Tunatiuh, maqui y[c]o vinak ru [c]ux Tunatiuh chi labal. Cani [c]a xpe ru camahel Tunatiuh cu[c]in ahaua, takol richin achiha: tipe ul rachihilal Ahpoco[c,]il Ahpoxahil, tu camican [c]eche vinak, xcha ru camahel Tunatiuh chique ahaua. Cani [c]a xtakex ru tzih Tunatiuh, ok xbe [c]a vomu[c]h achiha camicay richin [c]echevinak, xa[c]a ruyon ahtinamit xbe maqui xcaho achiha conohel chique ahaua, xa[c]a oxmul xbe achiha, xoc patan ruma [c]eche vinak, oh [c]a xoh be [c]amo richin Tunatiuh, yxnu[c]ahol.

147. On the day 4 Qat three chiefs, the king and the next in rank were burned alive by Tunatiuh, nor was the heart of Tunatiuh satisfied with war. Soon a messenger from Tunatiuh came to the chiefs that they should send him warriors: "Let the warriors of the Ahpozotzils and Ahpoxahils come to the slaughter of the Quiches!"

So spoke the messenger of Tunatiuh to the chiefs. Immediately the words of Tunatiuh were published, and 400 men went forth to the slaughter of the Quiches; but they were only those of the city, the other warriors refusing to obey the chiefs. Only three times did the warriors go forth to enforce the tribute on the Quiches; then we also were taken by Tunatiuh, O my children.

_Haok ki xul chi Yximche vae._

_How They Now Came to Iximche._

148. Ha [c]a chi hun Hunahpu, toki xul Castilan vinak pa tinamit chi Yximchee, Tunatiuh ru bi cahaval; cani [c]a xbe [c]ulel Tunatiuh c.u.ma ahaua Belehe[c]at, cahi Ymox. Utz [c]a ru [c]ux Tunatiuh chique ahaua toki xul pa tinamit, mani labal, xati quicot Tunatiuh ok ki xul chi Yximchee. Quere[c]a tok xul Castilan vinak ri oher, yxnu[c]ahol, kitzih tixibin ok xeul, mani etaam vi quivach, he [c]abouil xe quina ahaua. Xka na [c]a oh ytata, oh kixoh [c,]eto culic chi Yximchee chupam Tzupam hay xvar vi Tunatiuh; chuca [t]ih [c]a xvachi[c] ahauh, tixibin chi achiha, xul ru[c]in pa ru varam xe ru tak [c]a ahaua: Nak ruma xtiban labal vu[c]in [c]o pe tan tin ban chive, xcha. Maquian, quere xa rumal [c]iya achiha caminak, vave he[c]a mixe a [c,]et vae pa hul [c]o vi qui ni[c]ahal, xecha ahaua, quere [c]atok xoc pa rochoch ahauh [c]hicbal ri.

148. It was on the day 1 Hunahpu when the Castilians arrived at Iximche with their chief, Tunatiuh. The people went forth to meet Tunatiuh with the chiefs Belehe Qat and Cahi Ymox. Good was the heart of Tunatiuh when he entered the city with the chiefs. There was no fighting and Tunatiuh rejoiced when he entered Iximche. Thus did the Castilians enter of yore, O my children; but it was a fearful thing when they entered; their faces were strange, and the chiefs took them for G.o.ds. We, even we, your father, saw them when they first set foot in Iximche, at the palace of Tzupam, where Tunatiuh slept. The chief came forth, and truly he frightened the warriors; he came from his chamber and called the rulers: "Why do you make war with me, when I also can make it?" said he. "Not at all. Why should so many warriors find their death? Do you see any pitfalls among them?" So replied the chiefs, and he went to the house of the chief Chicbal.

149. Cani[c]a labal xu[c]utuh Tunatiuh chique ahaua, xecha [c]a ahaua: cay [c]ovi nu labal [c,]utuhil, Panatacat, at [c]abouil, xucheex [c]a c.u.ma ahaua. Xa[c]a hun.o.bix xi[c]o rubana Tunatiuh pa tinamit; tok xcam [c,]utuhile ruma Castilan vinak, ha chi vuku Camey xcamicax [c,]utuhile ruma Tunatiuh.

149. Then Tunatiuh agreed to join the chiefs in their wars, and the chiefs said to him:--"O thou G.o.d, we have two wars, one with the Tzutuhils, one at Panatacat." Thus spake the chiefs. Only five days after, Tunatiuh went forth from the capital. Then the Tzutuhils were conquered by the Castilians. It was the day 7 Camey that the Tzutuhils were destroyed by the Castilians.

150. Xe[c]a huvinak voo chi [t]ih xi[c]o rubana pa tinamit, ok xbe Tunatiuh Cuzcatan xi[c]o cam apon Atacat; ha chi cay Queh xcam Atacat ruma Castilan vinak ronohel [c]a achiha; xebe ru[c]in Tunatiuh camicay richin Yaqui.

150. Twenty-five days afterwards Tunatiuh went forth from the capital to Cuzcatan going there to destroy Atacat. On the day 2 Queh, Atacat was slain by the Castilians, with all his warriors.

There went with Tunatiuh all his Mexicans to this battle.

151. Ha [c]a chi lahuh Hunahpu, xul chic ok xpe Cuzcatan, xa ru cavinak xbe ru bana Cuzcatan, ok xul chic pa tinamit. Tok xu[c]utuh [c]a Tunatiuh hun quimeal ahaua, xya [c]a chirichin Tunatiuh ri c.u.mal ahaua.

151. On the day 10 Hunahpu he returned from Cuzcatan. He had been absent only 40 days to make the conquest at Cuzcatan when he returned to the capital. Then Tunatiuh asked for a daughter of one of the chiefs, and she was given to Tunatiuh by the chiefs.

_Qutubal [c]a puak vae._

_A Demand for Money is made._

152. Tok x[c]utux [c]a qui puvak ahaua ruma Tunatiuh; xrah naek [c]a yari xaki molom puvak xa tzimay, xa [c]al vach: maqui [c]a xu[c]am xacani xcakar Tunatiuh chique ahaua, xcha: Nak rumal maqui ti ya puvak chuvichin, maquipe vave ulinak vi ru puak ronohel ama[t] avu[c]in, tauaho pe cat nu poroh, cat nu hi[c,]ah, xeucheex ahaua.

152. Then Tunatiuh began to ask the chiefs for money. He wished that they should give him jars full of precious metals, and even their drinking cups and crowns. Not receiving anything, Tunatiuh became angry and said to the chiefs: "Why have you not given me the metal? If you do not bring me the precious metal in all your towns, choose then, for I shall burn you alive and hang you." Thus did he speak to the chiefs.

153. Tok xu[t]at [c]a Tunatiuh oxo[t]opeto chi [t]ana puvak, xquitih chi[c]a ahaua ru [t]ipuxic, xeo[t] ahaua chuvach; xax maqui vi xraho chic Tunatiuh, xa xcha: Ti vechaah pe ri puak obix tiya. Vue [c]a maqui ti ya chiri, ti vetamah [c]a nu [c]ux, xeucheex ahaua. Cani x[c,]ak can xca retal, tok xquimol [c]a ahaua qui puak ronohel [c]a ru mam ahauh ru [c]ahel ahauh, xu ya ru puak, xutih ru [t]ih vinak ruma ahaua.

153. Then Tunatiuh cut from three of them the gold ornaments they wore in their ears. The chiefs suffered keenly from this violence, and wept before him. But Tunatiuh was not troubled, and said: "I tell you that I want the gold here within five days. Wo to you if you do not give it. I know my heart." So said he to the chiefs. The word was then given. The chiefs gathered together all their metals, those of the parents and children of the king, and all that the chiefs could get from the people.

154. Ki [c]a tini[c]ahar ru yaic puak chire Tunatiuh, tok x[c]utun hun achi [c]axto[c]: Yn cakolahay, tincamicah Castilan vinak, xcha chique ahaua; xa pa [t]a[t] queyaar vi, tin [t]ocih tinamit que el [c]a el ahau [c]haka ya, ha [c]a chi vuku ahmak tinban, xcha achi ri [c]axto[c]

chique ahaua. Kitzih [c]a xqui na ahaua, xoquecax ru tzih achij c.u.ma, ki [c]a ti ni[c]ahar can ru yaic puvak ok xoh pax.

154. While they were gathering the gold for Tunatiuh, a priest of the Demon showed himself: "I am the lightning; I will destroy the Castilians." So said he to the chiefs. "I will destroy them by fire. When I beat the drum let the chiefs come forth and go to the other bank of the river. This I shall do on the day 7 Ahmak." Thus did this priest of the Demon speak to the chiefs. Truly the chiefs thought that they should trust in the words of this man. It was when they were gathering the gold that we went forth.

_Haok ki xoh pax pa tinamit vae._

_How We went forth from the City._

155. Chi vuku Ahmak [c]a xban paxic. Haoki xtole can tinamit chi Yximchee, xa[c]a ruma ri achi [c]axto[c], ok xeel ahaua; vue kitzih xticam Tunatiuh, quecha; tan mani labal chu [c]ux Tunatiuh, tan ti qui cot ruma puvak tan ti ya. Xa rumal achi ri [c]axto[c], tok xtole can ka tinamit, chi vuku ahmak, yx nu[c]ahol.

155. The day 7 Ahmak was that of the going forth. They deserted the city of Iximche on account of the priest of the Demon, and the chiefs left it. "Yes, truly, Tunatiuh shall die," said they. "There is no more war in the heart of Tunatiuh, as he now rejoices in the gold given him." Thus it was that our city was abandoned on the day 7 Ahmak on account of a priest of the Demon, O my children.

156. Xe na chi vi naek [c]a ahaua ruma Tunatiuh; xlauheher ok kopax pa tinamit, oki xtiquer labal ruma Tunatiuh; chi cahi Camey xtiquer ka camic ruma Castilah vinak, haok xtiquer pokonal chikih; xoh pax xe chee, xe[c]am, yxnu[c]ahol, ronohel [c]a ama[t], xoh camican ru[c]in Tunatiuh; haok xti[c]e xeapon ri Castilan vinak, xel [c]a pa tinamit xu tolobacan.

Tok xe[c]ulelax [c]a Castilan vinak c.u.ma Cakchiquel vinak, xban he [c]otoh, xban [c]a hulqueh, cimah xecamicabex, xa ki labal chic xban ruma vinak. He [c]a [c]iy Castilan vinak xecam, quere[c]a queh xcam pa hul queh, xyaar [c]a ri [c]echevinak, [c,]utuhile, quere[c]a ronohel ama[t] xyaar ruma Cakchiquel vinak. Quere[c]a x[c]ohe vi ruxla ri ruma Castilan vinak, x[c]ohe navipe ruxla ruma ama[t] ronohel; xbeleh vinak ok [c]a ko pax pa tinamit chi Iximchee, ok xel ru beleha.

156. But what the chiefs did was soon known to Tunatiuh. Ten days after we had left the city, war was begun by Tunatiuh. On the day 4 Camey began our destruction. Then began our misery. We scattered in the forests; all our towns were taken, O my children; we were slaughtered by Tunatiuh. The Castilians entered the city and they arrived as to a deserted spot. From that time the Castilians were hated by the Cakchiquels. They made trenches, they dug pitfalls, that the horses might be killed, and war was waged by their men.

Many men of the Castilians were slain, and many horses killed in the pitfalls. The Quiches and Tzutuhils were destroyed and all their villages ruined by the Cakchiquels. Only thus did the Castilians let them live, and only thus were they let live by all the villagers. One hundred and eighty days after the desertion of the city of Iximche was completed the ninth year (of the second cycle).

Chi cay Ah, xel humay beleha ru banic yuhuh.

On the day 2 Ah was completed the 29th year after the Revolt.

157. Chupam ru lauha vae ki tan tiban labal ru[c]in Castilan vinak, tanti [c]ilibem Xepau ruma Castilan vinak chiri chupam ru lauha, kitan ti yao ri labal xu[c]am ru covil vinak.

157. During the tenth year the war continued with the Castilians.

But the Castilians having received aid in this tenth year at Xepau, carried on the war with such vigor that they destroyed the forces of the nation.

158. Ok xbokotah [c]a el Tunatiuh Xepau, xax coco ok xel mani xelah vinak chuvach; xvakvinak ok ru caba kopax pe pa tinamit ok xtolecan xbenam [c]a richin ok xi[c]o ru [c]ata can tinamit Tunatiuh, chi cahi Camey xuporoh can tinamit, vak vinak ru caba chi labal xbanok xtzolih.

158. Tunatiuh then went forth from Xepau, and so hara.s.sed us that the people would not come before him. There were lacking one hundred and twenty days to complete two years since we had abandoned the capital, now deserted, when Tunatiuh came there on his march in order to set fire to the city. On the day 4 Camey, two years less six months after the beginning of the war, he set fire to the capital and returned.

Chi cablahuh Ah xel humay lauha yuhuh.

On the day 12 Ah was completed the 30th year after the Revolt.

159. Chupam huna vae xuxlan vican halal ka [c]ux xavi e [c]oh ahaua conohel Cahi Ymox Belehe[c]at, mani xtzak chuvach Castilan vinak, tan [c]a oh [c]oh chila Holom Balam, yxnu[c]ahol.

159. In the course of this year we breathed for a little, as did also the kings Cahi Ymox and Belehe Qat. They had not lost all hope before the Castilians, and they maintained themselves at Holombalam, O my children.

160. Xhunabir ok [c]a ru[c]in huvinak, t.i.tole can ruma Tunatiuh ok xul chic Castilan vinak Chij xot; chi hun Caok, xtiquer chic ka camic ruma Castilan vinak, x[c]ulelaax chic ruma vinak, xyaloh chic labal xban.

Xavi x[c]hub chic chi camic, mani xyao patan ronohel huyu, xa hala chic matel humay hulauha yuhuh ok xul chic Chij xot.

160. One year and twenty days had pa.s.sed since the places had been made desolate by Tunatiuh, when the Castilians arrived at Chiixot.