From Ancient Beginnings
	Maya Tales by I. E. Sanchez
	About the Author

The Maya people were the ancient inhabitants of what is modern day Belize in Central America. Descendants of these great people still inhabit some parts of Belize and from their folklore comes these Maya stories. Xunan Tunich and Maquech were inspired by Maya tradition but Xtabai and the Dog and the Alligator are current Maya lore.The mythical Xtabai is shared by the other ethnic groups in Belize. The Maya/Mestizo call her La Llorona the Belize Creoles know her as Old Heeg and the Garifuna refer to her as La Sucia. All ethnic groups have their own lore, the most famous of which is BrerAnancy of the Creoles.

Belize is a nation of many ethnic groups, the main ones being: Belize Creoles, Maya/Mestizo, Maya and Garifuna. Each group has its own language and culture and is rich in legends, folk tales and ethnic lore. Ancient Beginnings is an attempt to record a select few of the folklore of one of these groups.

The thunderous applause of the divine guests and spectators signalled the end of the dance and this jerked Ixim back to reality. His beloved one took her seat at the high table, between her mother and Chac Ku, the rain god. Because Ixim Ku belonged to a lower rank of gods, he had to be content with sitting at the table reserved for his rank. However, since his table was directly opposite the High One he had a clear view of his divine one. Xunan Tunich smiled at the gods and gave a lingering lance at Ixim Ku. His excited heart skipped a beat or two but an intended smile froze on his face when he noticed that Chac Ku was staring at him. Ixchel, the moody goddess, also gave Ixim a stern look and for the moment he was forced to turn his attention somewhere else. His agony was the more pronounced since he knew that Ixchel not only favoured Chac Ku but, what was worse that she intended to announce the betrothal of Xunan Tunich to Chac Ku as the first event of the new year. This was only a few hours away and his situation grew more hopeless by the hour. His only hope, if hope it could be called, was that while Itzamna did not oppose his wife's match, he nevertheless was inclined to let his youngest daughter follow her own heart.

Ixim Ku's thoughts were broken by a sudden silence which turned his dismay into alarm, for, standing by the high table was Ixchel, with a cup in her hand, all poised to make a divine announcement. Ixim could hardly believe his eyes. According to custom, Itzamna should be first to speak but here was Ixchel breaking all custom and tradition. She began, "Divine guests, Itzamna, the Mighty One, has given me leave to make a special announcement even before eating the feast or the arrival of the new year," she paused, stared at Ixim Ku and continued, "It is our divine wish that our youngest daughter, Xunan Tunich, be wed to the powerful and benevolent Chac Ku..."

"No! No! "shouted Ixim Ku, leaping on a table all laid out with divine food. A gasp escaped from the guests. Ixim had broken all the rules of Maya heaven; he had interrupted the mighty goddess and challenged the expressed wish of the Mighty Itzamna. Furthermore, he had dared to oppose Chac Ku, the powerful rain god. Ixchel, taken by surprise, remained silent for a while. She looked innocently at her husband first and then to Chac Ku. Ixim's insolence was so unheard of that even the Mighty Itzamna was at a loss for words. He was sympathetic towards Ixim and secretly preferred him to Chac Ku but now he had to assert his authority. Itxamna stood up, signalling his wife to sit. He straightened his headdress and in a slow but firm voice began, "Ixim..." But before he could continue Ixim Ku, seeing his hopes dashed, reacted on the spur of the moment. He leapt from table to table, spilling food on the gods and guests alike, snatched the willing Xunan Tunich and together they raced for her temple in the hills.

Reaching the temple, Xunan Tunich ordered the gates to be barricaded and summoned the High Priest to bless her wedding to Ixim Ku. The temple was secured in no time but the High Priest was dumbfounded and perplexed. Here was his goddess, the one he was consecrated to serve and worship, making a divine request, but one which he could not grant without offending Itzamna, the Mighty One. Before he could make up his mind, however, there was a loud knocking at the gates and Itzamna's voice could be heard booming over the hills, "High Priest, I command you, marry not my daughter, Xunan Tunich, to Ixim Ku and cause the gates to be opened at once."

The poor High Priest was torn between loyalty to his goddess and obedience to the Mighty One. Meanwhile Xunan Tunich and Ixim Ku, holding hands tenderly, were standing before the main altar, waiting for the High Priest to begin their wedding ceremony. By this time pandemonium had broken out in Maya heaven and on earth. Chac Ku, the offended one, could not control his wrath. Bolts of lightning streaked from the four corners of the universe, thunder deafened the people below and the lesser gods were simply stupefied. The heavens were opened and torrents of rain beat the earth mercilessly, threatening floods and disaster. Since the High Priest hesitated in having the gates opened, Chac Ku in his blind fury, thought that he was performing the wedding ceremony and without waiting for Itzamna to act, Chac Ku caused a bolt of lightning to strike Xunan Tunich's temple and simultaneously made the earth tremble which, in one instant, turned the sacred temple into a mass of dislocated stones. The youthful Ixim Ku and his immortal love, Xunan Tunich, together with her High Priest and attendants were buried forever under the ruins of the temple.

Itxamna was beset with grief at the loss of his youngest daughter but could hardly reprimand Chac Ku for his behavior. Instead he ordained that Xunan Tunich and Ixim Ku should lie asleep in the heart of the ruins until a new people rebuilt the temple and worshipped Xunan Tunich as their goddess. Only then would both awake and live forever in married bliss. The people, of course, did not know this and in vain they prayed and offered sacrifice at the feet of the ruins for Ixim Ku and Xunan Tunich to reappear. All they got for an answer was an occasional wail from their entombed goddess.

To this day, if you happen to be at the ruins of Xunan Tunich during a thunderstorm and you have a feeling heart you may be able to hear the lingering wails of Xunan Tunich echoing through the hills.

Notes: "X" in Maya is pronounced "sh" as in shoe.
Xunan Tunich - Lady of the Rock
Ku - Maya word for god.