Sisimito I--Ox Witz Ha
Page 44
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Duendito is the Spanish diminutive for duende. Duenditos are miniature dwarfs. Later in the Sisimito Series, the Duenditos are called Alaj Ponopiks. For more information, see Appendix.
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Dama de la Noche is Spanish for ‘Lady of the Night’.
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Sirens, in Greek mythology, were three sea nymphs with women’s heads and bird’s bodies. They lived on a rocky island near the Straits of Messina, home to Scylla and Charybdis, and their beautiful singing was believed to attract sailors onto the rocks.
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Yellow-headed Parrot, Amazona oratrix is also known as Loro Coroniamarillo (Spanish).
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La Sirena translates literally from the Spanish as “mermaid,” whose half-woman, half-fish body is comparable to the half-woman, half-snake body of La Sirena. She is sometimes referred to as La Siguanaba. In the Sisimito Series, La Serina is called Xwáay Kumätz. For more information, see Appendix.
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Negro de Agua, as his Spanish names implies, is a dark-skinned man who lives by the riverside. He is sometimes known as Dueno Del Rio, Spanish for “Master of the River.” In the Sisimito Series, Negro de Agua is called Q’eq Ja Wíinik. For more information, see Appendix.
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Jicara is a cured calabash, Crescentia cujete L, a local gourd, and is used as a drinking vessel.
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Cadejo translates from Spanish as ‘tangled hair’. In the Sisimito Series, Cadejo is called Patzapik. For more information, see Appendix
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La Llorona is Spanish for ‘the weeping woman’. In the Sisimito Series, La Llorona is called Xwáay Ok’ol. For more information, see Appendix. It is also the name of a song.
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La Sigua does not appear to have an English translation. Other spellings are Cewa and Zigua. In the Sisimito Series, La Sigua is called Xwáay Mulibal-k’ux’. For more information, see Appendix.
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Curandero (Spanish)is a bush-doctor.
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La Sucia translates literally from Spanish to mean dirty, filthy, or foul one. In the Sisimito Series, La Sucia is called Xwáay Éek’. For more information, see Appendix.
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El Dueño de Los Kekeos is a Spanish name. Dueño is “master” and Kekeo is a colloquialism for peccary. The peccary referred to here is the Collared Peccary, Tayassuidae Pecari tajacus. The Kriol word for peccary is pikayri. The Maya word is kitam. In the Sisimito Series, El Dueño de Los Kekeos is called Kitam Ajchaq’e. For more information, see Appendix.
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Ole Heg is a colloquilism for annoying old woman, although this one searches for victims from which she can suck blood. She is described as “A wrinkled withered dame” in J. S. Martinez’s poem Ole Heg. Her name may also be spelt Ole hige, Ole Hag, and Ol’Higue. In the Sisimito Series, Ole Heg is called Xwáay Chikoop. For more information, see Appendix
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Asafetida or asafoetida is not native to Belize, but is used extensively. Asafetida, Ferula assa-foetida, is the dried gum exuded from the rhizome or tap root of several species of Ferula, a perennial herb that grows 1 to 1.5 m tall. The species is native to the deserts of Iran, mountains of Afghanistan, and is mainly cultivated in nearby India. As its name suggests, asafetida has a fetid smell, but in cooked dishes it delivers a smooth flavor reminiscent of leeks, a vegetable that belongs, along with onion and garlic, to the genus Allium. In Jamaica, it is used for repelling spirits and is traditionally applied to a baby’s anterior fontanel (Jamaican patois: mole) to prevent spirits (Jamaican patois: duppies) from entering the baby through the fontanel. In the African-American Hoodoo tradition, asafetida is used in magic spells, as it is believed to have the power both to protect and to curse. It is also known as asant, food of the gods, giant fennel, jowani badian, stinking gum, Devil’s dung, hing, kayam, and ting. In the Sisimito Series, the name is used.
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Wangla is Kriol for ‘sesame’.
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Among the Maya, Sisimito is also called Mahanamatz.
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Puchica is an exclamatory Spanish colloquialism. An English equivalent would be “Good Gracious!”
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Waari Massa is master and protector, the “Massa” of the large, noisy, fierce wild pigs called waaries in Belize. The waari is actually the White-lipped Peccary, Tayassu pecari. In the Sisimito Series, Waari Massa is called Hach-k’ek’en Ajchaq’e. For more information, see Appendix.
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Macho is Spanish for ‘male, tough’. It is characterized by machismo: aggressively virile.
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Xtabai, according to Maya tradition, is attributed to a class of demons and, in the form of a snake, she seizes men and carries them to the Maya Underworld or throws them into a well. She will disappear if the sign of the cross is made in her presence. She is also afraid of the cincture worn by a priest at Mass and can be killed when struck with it. Chicleros and cañeros (sugarcane cutters) often wear a rope around their waists to fool her into thinking it is a priest’s cincture. Other spellings are Ixtabai, X-tabay, Ishtabay, and Stabai. The plural form is Xtabayoob, and the male is Tabai whose reputation is mainly that of a mischief-maker. In the Sisimito Series, Xtabai is called by her original Maya name Xtabai. For more information, see Appendix.
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Huipil (wipil) is from the Nahuatl word huīpīlli and is the most common traditional garment worn by indigenous women from central Mexico to Central America.
It is a loose-fitting tunic, generally made from two or three rectangular pieces of fabric which are then joined together with stitching, ribbons or fabric strips, with an opening for the head and, if the sides are sewn, openings for the arms. Traditional huipils, especially ceremonial ones, are usually made with fabric woven on a backstrap loom and are heavily decorated with designs woven into the fabric, embroidery, ribbons, lace and more.
Lengths of the huipil can vary from a short blouse-like garment or long enough to reach the floor. The style of traditional huipils generally indicates the ethnicity and community of the wearer as each have their own methods of creating the fabric and decorations. Some huipils have intricate and meaningful designs. Ceremonial huipils are the most elaborate and are reserved for weddings, burials, and women of high rank.
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Corrido is the Spanish name for a fast-paced one-step dance.
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Cacahuetes is Spanish for ‘peanuts’.
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Kashu is Kriol for cashew, Anacardium occidentale. It is also known as urui (Garifuna) and marañon (Spanish).
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Tata Ponopik is the Maya name used for Tata Duendo in the Sisimito Series. Tata Duende is one of Belize’s most infamous folklore characters. He gets his name from Tata, the Maya title for “old man” or “grandfather,” and Duende, Spanish for “dwarf.”
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Cuando Calienta el Sol: The literal translation is ‘When heated by the sun’, but the song is actually called ‘Love me with all of your heart’. En la playa is Spanish for ‘on the beach’, and en la selva for ‘in the jungle’.
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Pujuy, Nyctidromus albicollis, is also known as Common Pauraque, who-you, tapacamino and pucuyo (Spanish). The bird is regarded as a bad omen. It gets the names ‘who-you’ and ‘pujuy’ from the sound of it’s call. There is an interesting Maya legend about the pujuy.
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Blue Ground-dove: Claravis pretiosa, is also known as Tórtola Azul (Spanish) and Tuch Mukuy (Maya).
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Kiaqxop is Maya for ‘rattlesnake’.
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Cascabel is Spanish for the Tropical Rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus.
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Mozon: The Maya believe that the Mozon, which comes in short, sudden gusts, can sometimes harm t
hose in its path. People who are affected by the wind may fall down and begin trembling violently. They may also vomit, faint, or get a high fever, which can be cured by a curandero or bush doctor. Taken from Characters & Caricatures in Belizean Folklore. Later, in the Sisimito Series, Mozon is called Etzelal Iq’. For more information, please see the Appendix.
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Liana: a great woody jungle vine, sometimes growing as thick as a man’s waist, and found in most jungles.
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Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia reginae, is a dramatic plant with distinctive iridescent orange and midnight blue flowers that resemble an exotic bird peeking out from the broad leaves.
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Wild custard apple, Annona reticulata L, is also known as anona del monte (Spanish), and Bullock’s heart
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Cocoyol, Acrocomia aculeata, is also known as the Coyol Palm, Grugru Palm, Macauba Palm, and Suppa Palm (Kriol).
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Xiv-yak-tun-ich, (Mopan Maya), Anthurium schtechtendalii Kunth, is also known as ‘pheasant tail’, Coda de Faisán (Spanish), and tye-pu (Ke’kchi Maya).
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Kaax is Maya for ‘chicken’.
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Mix-ba’al is Maya for ‘Nothing’.
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Cojones is Spanish for ‘balls’ (testes).
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In the Sisimito Series, Mozon is called Etzelal Iq’. The Maya believe that the Mozon wind, which comes in short, sudden gusts, can sometimes harm those in its path. People who are affected by the wind may fall down and begin trembling violently. They may also vomit, faint, or get a high fever, which can be cured by a curandero or bush doctor. Taken from Characters & Caricatures in Belizean Folklore.
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Pokono bwai, Bactris major, is Kriol for ‘Pork and Doughboy’. The term refers to the working men whose diet was mainly salted pork and bread. The name is given to a palm that has a lot of prickles on the stem. It is alleged that these stems were used as weapons during the Spanish-British wars over the early settlement of Belize, formerly British Honduras. The tree bears small edible purple fruit in long bunches. It is also known as ‘pokenoboy’.
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Grayta is Kriol for ‘grater’.
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Hogback is any sharp ridge, or ridges, with steeply sloping sides.
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Col is a saddle or low pass between two summits.
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Table-mountain is a mesa or plateau.
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Riverhead is a river’s source.
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Scree are loose slopes of rock fragments and boulders.
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Talus is a collective term for the boulders, rocks, and gravel fragments often found at the base of cliffs and steep slopes.
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Wild yam, Dioscorea aff. belizensis Lundell is also known as White China Root, and cocolmeca and barba del viejo (Spanish).
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Yax-nik and sak-u-sol (Mopan Maya), Vitex gaumeri Greenm, is also known as ‘walking lady’ and ‘blue blossom’.
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Koming is Kriol for ‘ejaculating’.
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Chikoop is Maya for ‘vampire bat’.
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The Maya word for ‘arrow’ is ch’ab, and for ‘bow and arrow’ is sk’op. In the Sisimito Series, the Maya words are mostly used.
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Slings were often woven, and were used in warfare and hunting. Warriors and hunters used stones as missiles. The Maya word for ‘sling’ is wik’iaq and for the ‘stone or ‘dart’, k’iaqbal. In the Sisimito Series, the Maya word is mostly used.
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The Maya word for ‘spear’ is bate’. In the Sisimito Series, the Maya word is mostly used.
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The Maya word for ‘atlatl’ or ‘spear thrower’ is jatz’om. In the Sisimito Series, the Maya word is mostly used.
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The Maya word for ‘quiver’ is kus. In the Sisimito Series, the Maya word is mostly used.
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Xunantunich, Lubaantun, Lamanai and Altun Ha, among many others, are Maya cities that flourished in what is now present-day Belize. Tikal (Yax Mutul) and Naranjo (Maxam) are in what is now Guatemala.
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Yax Mutul is the name used for Tikal in the Sisimito Series.
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Maxam is the name used for Naranjo in the Sisimito Series.
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Pusilhá was a Maya city in what is now Southern Belize. Its location is about six miles south of the village of Santa Cruz, Toledo District.
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Mestizo is a Spaniard or Portuguese of mixed race, especially the offspring of a Spaniard and a native indian of Mexico and Central America.
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Ajaw: A lord, ruler, king or leader who may also perform religious activities.
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Xwa’ay is Maya for Witch
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Ocelot, Leopardus pardallis, is also known as ‘tiger-cat’. It is a medium sized feline, having a deep yellow or orange coat with black striped and spotted markings.
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The role of Halach Uinic in Sisimito I – Ox Witz Ha differs from the traditional role as K’an II took on the title as he tried to promote change and did not wish to be called Ajawinel, Maya for king. Later in the Sisimito Series, however, he accepts the title of Ajawinel. Traditionally, each province was, at least nominally, under the authority of a Halach Uinic (“true man”), although his control was not always complete. In some provinces, outlying towns exercised effective local independence, while recognizing the nominal authority of the Halach Uinic. His functions were mainly political and military, and he concerned especially with the defence of the province and maintenance of the boundaries. At the same time, the Halach Uinic had important religious roles, and he could be referred to as “bishop”. The office was hereditary, often passing from the in- cumbent to his younger brother, then to his son. Subject towns provided for the upkeep of the halach uinic and his ménage through tribute, usually in foods. Taken from The World of the Ancient Maya.
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Ajawinel is the king of a large independent state or kingdom.
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Bate’ is Maya for ‘spear’.
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K’iin is Maya for ‘day’.
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Kukulcán, the Feathered Serpent, is a special God of the Elite and Nobles. The Feathered Serpent had many guises and many names throughout Mesoamerica.
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Ix Na Li Kawa is Maya for ‘Mother of God’.
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Itzamná is chief among the gods and is both celestial and terrestrial, a creator and patron of knowledge. He has supreme importance for every facet of life.
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Nim-q’ij is Maya for ‘Royal’.
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Doari is Kriol for ‘dory, dorey’.
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Jukub is the Ke’kchi word for ‘canoe or dorey’. The Yucatec word is ‘chem’.
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Lej-xajäbs is Maya for ‘sandals’.
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Tipú is a Maya archaeological site in the Maya Mountains near the Belize–Guatemala border. This site is situated near the Macal River. Further downstream is located the Mayan site of Chaa Creek. Slightly further downstream is the site of Cahal Pech.
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Sacbeob is Maya for ‘road’ or ‘causeway’.
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Chúumuk Sacbeob: In the Sisimito Series, Chúumuk Sacbeob refers to a ‘central road’ or a ‘main road’.
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Chacs: Among the benevolent gods are the multifaceted Chacs, the rain gods, bringers of rain, thunder, and lightning. The Chacs are four, one associated with each world quarter.
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K’el is Ke’kchi for comal; sh’mm’ch is the Mopan word. It is a smooth, flat metal plate typically used in Mexico and Central America to cook tortillas (kua), toast spices, sear meat, and generally prepare food. It is a type of ‘griddle’.