The Kaqchikel (also called Kachiquel
) are one of the
Indigenous Maya peoples
Maya () are an ethnolinguistic group of Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica. The ancient Maya civilization was formed by members of this group, and today's Maya are generally descended from people who lived w ...
of the midwestern highlands of
Guatemala
Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala, is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico, to the northeast by Belize, to the east by Honduras, and to the southeast by El Salvador. It is hydrologically b ...
and of southern
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
. They constitute Guatemala's third largest Maya group. The name was formerly spelled in various other ways, including Cakchiquel, Kakchiquel, Caqchikel, and Cachiquel.
Language
The
Kaqchikel language
The Kaqchikel language (in modern orthography; formerly also spelled Cakchiquel or Cachiquel) is an Mesoamerican languages, indigenous Mesoamerican language and a member of the Quichean–Mamean branch of the Mayan languages language family, fami ...
, one of the
Mayan languages
The Mayan languages In linguistics, it is conventional to use ''Mayan'' when referring to the languages, or an aspect of a language. In other academic fields, ''Maya'' is the preferred usage, serving as both a singular and plural noun, and a ...
from the
Quichean branch, is spoken today by 400,000 people. It is closely related to the
Tzutujil language.
Location
In Guatemala they live in the departments of
Sololá,
Chimaltenango,
Sacatepéquez,
Guatemala
Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala, is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico, to the northeast by Belize, to the east by Honduras, and to the southeast by El Salvador. It is hydrologically b ...
,
Baja Verapaz Department
Baja Verapaz () is a department in Guatemala. In 2018, the population of the department was 299,476. The capital is Salamá. 78.5% of the department’s population identifies as Maya, with 53% belonging to the Achi linguistic group.
Baja Verap ...
, and
Escuintla.
In
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
, the Kaqchikel communities are located in the state of
Chiapas
Chiapas, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Chiapas, is one of the states that make up the Political divisions of Mexico, 32 federal entities of Mexico. It comprises Municipalities of Chiapas, 124 municipalities and its capital and large ...
, in the municipalities of
Amatenango de la Frontera,
Mazapa de Madero,
Motozintla
Motozintla (Motozintla de Mendoza) is a city and municipality in the Mexican state of Chiapas in southern Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, ...
,
Frontera Comalapa,
El Porvenir and
Villa Comatitlan, due to recent migrations, there are small Kaqchikel communities in the state of
Campeche
Campeche, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Campeche, is one of the 31 states which, with Mexico City, make up the Administrative divisions of Mexico, 32 federal entities of Mexico. Located in southeast Mexico, it is bordered by the sta ...
located in the municipalities of
Campeche
Campeche, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Campeche, is one of the 31 states which, with Mexico City, make up the Administrative divisions of Mexico, 32 federal entities of Mexico. Located in southeast Mexico, it is bordered by the sta ...
and
Champotón.
History
In
Postclassic Maya times the capital of the main branch of the Kaqchikel was
Iximché. Like the neighboring
K'iche' (Quiché), they were governed by four lords: Tzotzil, Xahil, Tucuché and
Acajal, who were responsible for the administrative, military and religious affairs. The Kakchikel recorded their history in the book ''
Annals of the Cakchiquels'', also known as ''
Memorial de Sololá''.
The
Chajoma were another
Kaqchikel-speaking people; the ruins of
Mixco Viejo have been identified as their capital.
Iximché was conquered by the Spanish
conquistador
Conquistadors (, ) or conquistadores (; ; ) were Spanish Empire, Spanish and Portuguese Empire, Portuguese colonizers who explored, traded with and colonized parts of the Americas, Africa, Oceania and Asia during the Age of Discovery. Sailing ...
Pedro de Alvarado
Pedro de Alvarado (; 1485 – 4 July 1541) was a Spanish conquistador, ''conquistador'', ''adelantado,'' governor and Captaincy General of Guatemala, captain general of Guatemala.Lovell, Lutz and Swezey 1984, p. 461. He participated in the c ...
in 1524. At that time, the Kaqchikel were the enemies of the neighbouring
K'iche' Kingdom, and helped the Spaniards to conquer it. The first colonial capital of Guatemala,
Tecpán Guatemala, was founded near Iximché on July 25, 1524. On November 22, 1527, after several Kaqchikel uprisings, the capital was moved to
Ciudad Vieja
Ciudad Vieja () is a town and municipality in the Guatemalan Departments of Guatemala, department of Sacatepéquez. According to the 2018 census, the town has a population of 32,802Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala (), commonly known as Antigua or La Antigua, is a city in the Guatemalan Highlands, central highlands of Guatemala. The city was the capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala from 1543 through 1773, with much of its Baroque- ...
.
See also
*''
Our Elders Teach Us''
References
External links
*
Maya peoples of Guatemala
Chimaltenango Department
Guatemala Department
Sacatepéquez Department
Sololá Department
{{NorthAm-native-stub
Indigenous peoples in Mexico
Maya peoples of Mexico