Sisimito III--Topoxte Read online

  Published by:

  Jabiru Books Belize

  Placencia, Belize.

  Website: http://jabirubooksbelize.com

  First Published 2017.

  Copyright © 2017 Henry W. Anderson MBBS, Stephanie D. Anderson, and Jabiru Books Belize.

  Printed Book and E-book conversion by BookBaby, U.S.A.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher and/or storyteller.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the storyteller’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Please note that Expedition Bold did take place. The members’ names are used in the Sisimito Series to acknowledge them.

  Printed Book ISBN: 978-976-95561-7-1

  EAN: 9789769556171

  E-Book ISBN: 978-976-95561-6-4

  EAN: 9789769556164

  WORDS ABOUT THE STORYTELLER.

  On the Trail to Edwards Central

  April 11, 2017

  Dr. Henry W. Anderson was born in Dangriga, Belize. He received his medical degree from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica.

  After medical internship in Nassau, The Bahamas, he returned home to practice where he had his Private Practice Clinic for over twenty years. He also served as District Medical officer for the Stann Creek District. He has served Belize in other ways. He served as a soldier in the British Honduras Volunteer Guards. In politics, he contested both municipal and general elections. As a diplomat, he was stationed in Washington D.C. and in Guatemala City. He has been nominated to several Boards and is a Justice of the Peace.

  Three of Dr. Anderson’s works have been published in Belize. They are The Son of Kinich, a volume of poetry; The Eddy, a collection of short stories; Ode to the One-Eyed Lady, a novel about a hurricane approaching Belize. Recently published, both as printed and E-books, are Sisimito, Christ Son Of Man - The Voyage To Araboth II, and Sisimito II - Xibalba. The second edition of Sisimito is titled Sisimito I - Ox Witz Ha and is the first book of the Sisimito Series. There are very few changes from Sisimito.

  The late Ambassador Edward A. Laing wrote: “Mastery over form and catholic technique are staples in this poet’s work, which is very accessible”. Belizean writer Emory King contributed: “Your poems indicate a depth of thought and a way with words that is rare in this age of sound-bytes and digest opinions”. The Reporter Press stated: “Every now and then, a Belizean writer produces a cerebral work that is so intellectually stimulating that it leaves one staring beyond the book and into space”. Minister of Education, C. B. Hyde wrote on Ode to the One-Eyed Lady: “I have come to the conclusion that this is a great book, not because it is enjoyable and easy to read, although it is, but it is, perhaps, the best book ever written on the subject with which it deals”.

  Dr. Anderson was the first medical student to be awarded the ‘Use of English Prize’ at the University of the West Indies.

  Dr. Anderson is married to Stephanie, née Gegg-Grange. They have four children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Presently, they reside in Minnesota, U.S.A.

  Other Books by Dr. Henry W. Anderson

  The Son Of Kinich - Illustrated Poetical Works.

  The Eddy - A collection of short stories.

  Ode to the One-Eyed Lady - A novel about a hurricane hitting

  Belize.

  Sisimito I - Ox Witz Ha: First novel of the Sisimito Series, second edition. The first edition is titled Sisimito.

  Sisimito II - Xibalba: Second novel of the Sisimito Series.

  Christ Son Of Man - The Voyage To Araboth II. - A Science Fiction/Religious novel.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  The map of Topoxte City used in Illustrations 19 and 20 are from: Isometrische Rekonstruktion Topoxte Stadtzentrum, Blick von Westen (Zeichnung W. Wurster). The painting used on the cover is an artist’s concept of what Topoxte may have looked like. Unfortunately, the artist could not be identified. The reconstruction of the Caana in Illustration 14 is from Chronicles of the Maya Kings and Queens. For their images in some illustrations, thanks go to Cpl. Coh, Luis Delmar as Bas, Pte. Choc, Ronaldo as Teul, and Benedicto Choc as Choco.

  CONTENTS

  Words about the Storyteller

  List of Illustrations

  FOREWORD

  Government

  Priests

  The Military - Ranks and Insignias

  Weapons

  Cardinal Points

  Some Maya Phrases and Words used often

  Names of the Kechelaj Komon

  Ancient and Modern Names of Cities and Sites

  The Caves of Naj Tunich

  Sisimito-Mahanamtz

  Dedication

  CHAPTERS

  I - - - Ja’ Xakanul (Crater Lake)

  2 - - - The Trail to Tulam Tzu (Kaminaljuyú)

  3 - - - Tulam Tzu (Kaminaljuyú)

  4 - - - The Battles of Chay Abaj (El Chayal)

  5 - - - March to Quiriguá – Day One

  6 - - - March to Quiriguá – Day Two: The Flooded Ja’-nima’ (Motagua River)

  7 - - - March to Quiriguá – Day Three: Sib Juyub (Smoke Hill)

  8 - - - March to Quiriguá - Day Four: The Ja’-nima’ Beya’ (Motagua River Valley)

  9 - - - Quiriguá

  10 - - An Encounter with the Hach-k’ek’ens (Waaries)

  11 - - Qas Nim Ha’ (Lake Izabal)

  12 - - The Trail to Zactun (Sarstoon)

  13 - - Zactun (Sarstoon)

  TEUL

  14 - - Teul and the Qas Nim Woja’ (Very Large Flood)

  15 - - Running the Beach

  16 - - Still Running the

  Beach

  17 - - Nito (San Gil de Buena Vista) and Zactun (Sarstoon)

  18 - - The March to Pusilhá

  19 - - An Arrival at Pusilhá

  THE MARCH CONTINUES TO OX WITZ HA

  20 - - A Problem for Teul and Xipilli

  21 - - Naj Tunich

  22 - - Dangerous Encounters

  23 - - Ox Witz Ha

  24 - - Flight from the Darkness. of K’aas (Evil)

  25 - - A Meeting with K’an II

  26 - - The T’oit’ik-jolom Cries

  27 - - Chiac Tells K’an II His Tale

  28 - - March from Ox Witz Há

  29 - - A Redeployment of Warriors

  30 - - Planning Strategy

  31 - - The Battle for Topoxte

  32 - - The Warriors’ Heads

  33 - - The Komon-Winaq (Meeting) with Izel

  34 - -

  Coszcatl

  35 - - A Smile at Last

  36 - -

  Return to the Ch’ajch’oj Chiyul (Sacred Waterfall)

  37 - - Victoria Peak

  A preview of the final book of the Sisimito Series:

  SISIMITO IV - THE FALL OF AN EMPIRE

  NOTES

  APPENDIX

  The Gods

  Kriol, Maya, and Spanish words in alphabetical order

  Maya and Nahuatl First Names

  Belize Folk Characters briefs and names used

  BIBLIOGRAPHY

  LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

  1 - - Aztec and Maya Weaponry and Equipment

  2 - - Paintings from Naj Tunich

  3 - - Chiac’s March in Sisimito’s (Mahanamtz) world

  4 - - Ja’ Xakanul (Crater Lake Volcano)

  5 - - Ja’ Xakanul

  6 - - The Waari Kuhoons and the Ix-tots

&n
bsp; 7 - - Battle Formation at Chay Abaj

  8 - - Teul – Maya Warrior

  9 - - Performing the Ch’ahb, Bloodletting Ritual

  10 - The Ch’ajch’oj Jul (Sacred Cave) of Naj Tunich

  11 - Drawing 18 (See Note 322)

  12 - The Nine Gods of the Bolontiku

  13 - Ox Witz Ha Core Site

  14 - Today’s Caana (Sky Place) and an artist’s reconstruction

  15 - Chiac’s March from Ox Witz Ha to Topoxte

  16 - Mahanamatz Battle Formation at the Penninsulas

  17 - Ha’ Yaxha and the Topoxte Islands

  18 – Ha’ Yaxha

  19 - The City of Topoxte: A Theatre of War

  20 - Battle Formations at Topoxte

  21 - Painting of Classical Maya Warfare

  22 – Chultuns at Topoxte

  23 - Chiac’s City of Ox Witz Ha

  24 - Bas, Choco, and Teul playing a friendly game of Pitz

  25 - The Ch’ajch’oj Chiyul

  26 - Victoria Peak

  27 – The Village of Santa Cruz, Toledo, Belize

  FOREWORD

  GOVERNMENT

  Ajawinel – King of a large independent state or kingdom.

  Chichu’ Ajawinel – Queen.

  Ajaw – Lord, Ruler, King, or Leader.

  Ajawal – The King of a vassal state.

  Ahau is a Royal title and the highest ranking political office held at any given Maya city.

  Alaxel – Prince.

  Alixel – Princess.

  Nimalaj Achi – Head Man or Great Man of a town or village, of Royal lineage or the Elite.

  Nimal – Head Man of a town or village, but not a Royal or Elite.

  Ukab Nimal – Second to the Head Man of a town or village, but not a Royal or Elite.

  PRIESTS

  Ahau Can Mai – High Priest of a kingdom.

  Chuchqajaw Rech Tinimit – Head Priest of an entire town or city. There are usually two.

  Ah-k’in – Town Priest. The word means ‘diviner’. Town Priests were assisted by four old men called Chacs.

  Ah-kinob – Priest that has responsibility for conducting public and private rituals within individual towns or cities throughout an entire kingdom.

  Ah-nakom – These priests carried out human sacrifice; status was relatively low.

  Chilan or Chilam – Priests giving oracles. They may have used mind-altering substances.

  THE MILITARY

  RANKS and INSIGNIAS

  Nacon is a general name for ‘officer’.

  T’oit’ik-jolom is a ‘Renowned Soldier/Warrior’ of any rank.

  Waach - Private.

  T’uup - Smallest Unit: Section, Squad, Fireteam.

  Oxib’ Nimal - Lance Corporal - 1 string necklace with 1 shell medallion.

  Ukab Nimal - Corporal - 1 string necklace with 2 shell medallions.

  Nabe Nimal - Sergeant - 1 string necklace with 3 shell medallions.

  Oxib’ Nimal Nacon - Officer Cadet - 1 string necklace with 4 shell medallions.

  Ukab Nimal Nacon - Second Lieutenant - 1 string necklace with 1 obsidian arrowhead.

  Nabe Nimal Nacon - First Lieutenant - 1 string necklace with 2 obsidian arrowheads.

  Oxib Nacon - Captain - 1 string necklace with 3 obsidian arrowheads.

  Ukab Nacon - Major - 1 string necklace with 4 obsidian arrowheads.

  Nabe Nacon - Lieutenant Colonel - 1 string necklace with 5 obsidian arrowheads.

  Ukab Kaloonte’ - Brigadier - 1 string necklace with 1 jade temple medallion.

  Nabe Kaloonte’ - Major General - 1 string necklace with 2 jade temple medallions.

  Nim-q’ij Ukab Kaloonte’ - Lieutenant General - 1 string necklace with 3 jade temple medallions.

  Nim-q’ij Nabe Kaloonte’ - General - 1 string necklace with 4 jade temple medallions.

  SALUTES:

  One salute to the chest: Acknowledgement.

  Two salutes to the chest: Acknowledgement and Agreement.

  Three salutes to the chest: Acknowledgement, Agreement, and Praise.

  WEAPONS

  Illustration 1: Aztec and Maya Weaponry and Equipment.

  (From Wikispace.)

  Ba’at - Wooden axe edged with flint and/or obsidian blades.

  Bate’ - Spear.

  Ch’ab - Arrow.

  Ikaj - Stone axe.

  Jatz’om - Spear thrower or atlatl.

  K’iaqbal-ch’ab - Bow for shooting arrows.

  K’iaqbal - Sling stone or dart.

  Kus - Quiver for arrows.

  Maquahuitl - Club.

  Pub - Blowgun.

  Q’osibal - Short, thick stick used as a weapon; club.

  Sk’op - Bow and arrow together.

  To’bal-rib - Shield.

  U-yeh - Blade.

  Wik’iaq - Slingshot or sling.

  Xjos - Small sickle. (also: ixjos.)

  RELATED MILITARY

  Oxib’ - Third.

  Ukab - Second.

  Nabe - First.

  Batab - War Chief.

  Kohaw - War helmet made of stone such as pyrite, worn only by Ajaws and Kaloonte’s.

  Nabe Ajch’o’j’ – First Warrior.

  Ukab Ajch’o’j – Second Warrior.

  CARDINAL POINTS.

  NORTH: Xaman - God Can-Tzicnal - White.

  Two variations of the glyph for North:

  SOUTH: Nohol - God Hozanek - Yellow.

  Two variations of the glyph for South:

  EAST: Lak’in - God Hobnil - Red.

  The glyph for East

  WEST: Ochk’in - God Zac-Cimi - Black.

  The glyph for West:

  SOME MAYA PHRASES/WORDS OFTEN USED

  Áayin - Crocodile.

  Áayin as it sleeps in the chokoh: Crocodile as it sleeps in the warm weather.

  A’kl (Ke’kchi) - Trumpet Tree. Refers here to the dried leaves used for smoking. The Mopan word is cho-otz.

  Baläm - General name for ‘jaguar’.

  Batz - Howler Monkey.

  Beyxan teen - Me too.

  Chokoh - Warm weather.

  Chakuj tutuchci - To work the stiff penis. To have sex.

  Chan-koxol - Mosquito.

  Cho-otz (Mopan) - Trumpet Tree. Refers here to the dried leaves used for smoking. The Ke’kchi word is a’kl.

  Chúumuk Sacbeob - Central Road.

  Hach-k’ek’en - Waari.

  Icim - Mottled owl.

  Ix Na Li Kawa - Mother Of God.

  Ixca junes maka ka metzev! - We are never stronger than when we are one!

  Ja’ Xakanul is the name used for both the ‘water volcano’ and its ‘crater lake’.

  K’uutz - Marijuana.

  Ka xi’ik te’ex hatz’utzil - Good luck.

  Kechelaj Jupuq - Jungle Horde of Sisimito’s enchanted animals.

  Kechelaj Komon - Jungle Folk.

  Ke’eleen: I’m cold.

  Kitam - Peccary. Kriol is pikayri.

  K’i’ik - blood.

  Ko’one’ex - Let’s go.

  Kool - Milpa.

  Koolnáal - Milpero.

  Kos - Laughing Falcon.

  Krus-be - Crossroad.

  Kua - Tortilla.

  Lej-xajäbs - Sandals.

  Mahanamtz - Sisimito.

  Mix-ba’al - Nothing.

  Nacon - Military officer

  Nah’ - Mother.

  Nim-ja’ - River.

  Nim-ja’ Ti’ K’i’ik - River of Blood.

  Nim-ja’ Ti’ Puh - River of Pus.

  Nim-ja’ Ti’ Síina’ans - River of Scorpions.

  Puh - pus.

  Sacbeob - Road.

  Síina’an - Scorpion.

  Taat - Father.

  Tak sáamal - Until tomorrow.

  Tin bin ichkíil - I’m going to take a bath.

  Tin bin tz’oon - I’m going hunting.

&n
bsp; T’oit’ik-jolom - Renowned Soldier/Warrior.

  Tóolok - Means ‘small lizard’ and is the name Chiac uses for his penis.

  Tu laak’ k’iin - Until another day.

  Tz’o’okeen: I am done.

  U Wach Ulew - Name of the Surface World.

  Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ - Woman With No Name.

  Xir - Cricket.

  Ya’ax-chich - Jade.

  Yaxché - The Sacred Ceiba Tree that holds the three levels of Maya cosmology together.

  NOTE: For simplicity and clarity, in the Sisimito Series, the plural of Maya nouns is simply indicated by the addition of the letter ‘S’ except when that word already ends in ‘S’ or an ‘X’. When a word is ‘broken’, e.g. lej xajäbs, a hyphen is used for clarity, e.g. lej-xajäbs.

  NAMES OF FOLKLORE CHARACTERS AND CARICATURES:

  THE KECHELAJ KOMON.

  For brief descriptions see the Appendix.

  Alaj Chaj-r-ij Wíinik: Hashishi Pampi.

  Alaj Ponopik: Duenditos.