Creation of the Mothers of Quiche Nation

Death of the Four Progenitors

Pages 201-255 of Popol Vuh The Sacred Book of the Maya

By: Eddie, Bryan, Jessica, and EthanWriting 10 presentation

Professor Chao

Describe

The existence of the Mothers of the Quiché Nation are only possible by the creation of the first grandfathers and fathers.

Who were made by the all mighty gods of Heart of Sky and Heart of Earth. Cahapaluna was the wife of Balam Quitze.

Chomiha was the wife of Balam Acab. Mahucutah, has a wife named Tzununiha. Finally Iqui Balam’s wife was named

Caquixaha. They were recognized as those from the “east.”

Describe

• The four progenitors, have spawned the great god of Tohil, Auilix and Hacavitz. They are gods of blood lust and demand that the progenitors provide sacrifices to them.

• They are first told that if they would like the gift of fire, the breast and armpits must be used to extract the heart for a sacrifice.

• Then they await the first dawn of light on the mountain they traveled to named Mountain Chi Pixab.

• A citadel is on the mountain, they go to it for enlightenment.

• Tohil and Auilix then demand that the progenitors are to abduct people of the nations for a blood sacrifice and that the skulls should be put on rods near there shrines.

• The gods take the body of boys, to go undetected by the people of the nations.

Describe• The people of the nation, catch onto the mysterious killings and plan to

defeat the gods.

• They offer two fair maidens, to meet the boys, who spend their time on the river bank. The gods are cunning and know of their plot, and turn the maidens against the people by giving them robes.

• Upon return the maidens give the robes to the people, only to kill and injure the ones who wore them. There are three robes one painted a like a jaguar another like an eagle and the last resemble wasps.

• The nations have had enough and decide to go after the progenitors, because they knew they work for the gods.

• The progenitors are scared and turn to Tohil and Aauilix for assistance.

• When the people of the nation charge the citadel, were the progenitors are located, there are waves of wasps who counterattack them. The wasps were provided by the gods to help the progenitors.

• Balam Quitze, Balam Acab, Mahucutah, and Iqui Balam die of old age.

Comparing

• “Then their companions, their wives, also came to be.” (P. 201, Para. 2• Similar to Mormonism and other religions.

• “It was the gods alone who conceived them as well.” (P. 201, Para. 2)• Creationism

Comparing

• “Of these we shall speak only of the nations that became great among the allied nations.”(P. 205, Para. 2)• Resembles the belief that history is written

by victors• “Then they fasted and cried out in prayer.”

(P. 207, para. 2)• “One of most powerful spiritual

combinations…” (Fasting and Prayer)

AssociateThe nations got their fire back and were warmed only if they were to give up their hearts(p. 217) reminds me of  the movie Apocalypto. And also, since they were deceived it reminds me of the:

The Fall of Adam and Eve when they were tempted to eat from the forbidden tree.

Piercing themselves represented a type of worship to their> god (p219).“It was not clear how they passed over the sea to come here. It was as if there were no sea that they had to pass over…The water divided itself and through it they made their passage here (p.221).” This passage reminds me of Moses split the Red Sea and how the

Hebrews passed through it into the Promised Land.

Associate “But the fire of the nations was extinguished and the

coldhad nearly finished them. Thus they came to plead foe fire from BalamQuitze, Balam Acab,

Mahucutah, and Iqui Balam (p. 214).” Seems like Noah’s Ark when God decides to wipe

out humanity because of their wrong doings.

“Truly Tohil is your god. He s your provider. He is also the substitute and remembrance of your Framer and your Shaper…I am messenger from your Framer and

Shaper (p. 215).” A messenger like an angel in the bible?

Associate Do not kill us,’ they said. ‘Very well then. Certainly you shall

become obedient. You shall be servants as long as there is sun and light,’ they were told (p. 252).” The fall of Adam and Eve where God banishes them from

the Garden of Eden and sends them to suffer.

Analysis• Power & Unity

• They were slightly blind. “They could see only nearby; things were clear to them only where they were. Thus their knowledge was lost.” (Christenson, 201) This limitation took away some of their power.

• “Knowledge is power.” • The gods, specifically Tohil, wanted the power for himself.• They all began by speaking and understanding the same

language. Eventually they drifted apart and new languages began to form.

• During a time of need, the nations wanted to get together and share a fire, but were unwelcome.

• Tohil, the creator of the fire tricked them into getting sacrificed. (greed)

• He let himself be called the people’s “Lord.”

AnalysisGood vs. Evil Tohil was hidden in a forest in a mountain. ”It was crowded with snakes as well as jaguars, rattlesnakes and pit vipers.” (Christenson, 225)Tohil drank the blood of animals that had been sacrificed as offerings. (deer & birds) Symbolism of the animals. The nations decided to unite to defeat Tohil. Tohil came up with an idea to make the nation’s plans backfire.The nations were defeated and were treated cruelly.

Closing Question

Do you believe if the people of a given civilization are not in awe, of the gods power,

would the gods hold any power?

Work Cited PageChristenson, Allen J. Popol Vuh: the Sacred Book of the Maya. Norman: University of Oklahoma, 2007. Print. 201-255