Achi people facts for kids

The Achi are a Maya people in Guatemala. Their indigenous language is also called Achi and is closely related to K'iche'.

Historical Facts

Pre-Columbian Era

There’s an old tale of Quicab, a well known chief who’s famous for his pearls, emeralds, gold, and silver.

The central towns and leaders in Capul accompanied the chief when he encountered the indigenous people of the coast, the Achi people, who called themselves by the town and site of Xetulul. It was noon when they began to fight, taking their land and town without killing anyone, only tormenting them. When the Achi people surrendered, they gave tributes of fish and shrimp; as a gift, they offered cocoa beans and pataxte to chief Francisco Izquin Ahpalotz y Nehaib, confirming him as king and obeying him like tributaries; the Achi people turned the

Zamalá, Ucuz, Nil, and Xab rivers over to him. These were very helpful to chief Quicab, since they produced fish, shrimp, turtles and iguanas.  

Conquest

Dominican friars arrived in present Guatemala, with just one place in which to settle a mission: Tezulutlán or "Land of War". Friar Bartolomé de las Casas was trusted with "reducing" the indigenous population via Christianisation. One of the first references to Cubulco can be found in the Royal Charter of don Francisco Izquin Nehabib, written in 1558. The Rabinal Achí was published in Paris in 1862. This document was found by Braseur de Bouburg. Experts have pointed out that the text resemble the military honour codes present in Homer's Iliad. Dutch anthropologist Ruud van Akkeren in an interview stated that the 16th century Achi people weren't today's Achi people, the same as with the Quiches; these peoples have a right to know their history.

Economics

Rabinal is famed for producing the country's sweetest oranges. San Jerónimo is known for having the colony's best houses and wineyards, where the best wine was produced. This region "introduced" African peoples to work in the plantations. Besides cultivation of oranges, the main economical activities are mud, hay and Agave americana crafts. Rabinal (in Zamaned vale) was an important location in the trade route out of the region. Ceramics, textiles, oranges, etc. were commercialised.

Geographic Characteristics

The original name of the headwaters of Baja Verapaz, Salamá, is Tz'alam Ha', meaning “boards around the water.” Salamá, Cubulco, Rabinal, San Miguel Chicaj y San Jerónimo are the only towns of Guatemala where Achi is the native language.

In the town of Cubulco, there are lesser-known archeological sites like Belejeb’ Tzaq, Chilu, Los Cimientos, Nim Poco y Pueblo Viejo.

San Miguel Chicaj stands out for its enormous Catholic church.

Agriculture and Farming

Rabinal is famous for producing the sweetest oranges in the country. San Jerónimo is well known for having the best estates and vineyards of Santo Domingo, from which the best wine of the Kingdom of Guatemala originated. Various African peoples were brought to this region with the purpose of working on plantations.

In addition to the production of oranges and other crops, other prominent activities are: arts and crafts in Begonias (gourds, piggy banks, hand shakers, and baskets) made of clay, agave, and wicker.

One of the best known traditional markets in Rabinal of 1955 was favored by Father Narciso Teletor, one of its biggest fans. Located in the Zamaneh valley, Rabinal was an important step forward for trade. Ceramics, textiles, oranges, maize flour, boxboles (traditional vegetable dish), and atole (traditional warm cornmeal drink) are sold there. To celebrate in January, cargo animals are sold there.

Social Organization

A close relationship exists between young people and adults in the Achi society, due to the elderly inspiring the new generations to preserve the traditions and customs. It’s believed the elderly overcame great obstacles in order to pass on their knowledge.

Education

Illiteracy is prevalent due to a lack of bilingual schools.

Religious Associations (Cofradías)

Among the Achis, there are established social and religious organizations, for example the cofradías. There are 16 in Rabinal, 8 in San Miguel Chicaj, 3 in Salamá and the organization also has a presence in Cubulco and San Jerónimo.

Celebration of the Virgin of Patrocinio

The celebration of the Virgin of Patrocinio (celebrated in Rabinal), an idol, occurs over nine days. Carrying the image from house to house, this blissful tradition has been practiced since the 18th Century; the family that seeks the Virgin should have an exemplary home in the eyes of the  community and the father and mother should be married religiously and legally. The couple who receives this honor calls themselves “butlers of the cofradía of the Virgin” and in their house the novena ceremony is practiced in their honor. These activities occur between the 18th-22nd of November. In this period, the Convent of Rabinal is presented and the Santa Cruz of Quiché and the cofrades celebrate with fireworks.

Additionally, this legend of the Virgin of Patrocinio is very well known by local historians. It says that in the middle of the 18th century, a woman appeared to an old man cutting firewood on the summit of San Miguel Chicaj. She requested a message to the priest from Rabinal so she could confess to him. Right after, the lumberjack sent a message to the priest, who seemed skeptical.

Shortly after, she appeared in the priest's dreams to ask for a confession - when he woke, he went on his way, and he saw the woman appear in an image — the woman was the Virgin of Patrocinio.

Rabinal Achí

El Rabinal Achí is a nationally and internationally recognized performance. It is narrated in the Achi language with seven main characters, taking place during the festival of San Pablo Apóstol that occurs during the 17th-25th of January of every year. Originally from the pre-Columbian era, currently it only runs in the city of Rabinal.

Culture

Traditions

Traditions are passed from generation to generation. Ceremonies are performed as part of brotherhoods, and the duty of brothers to maintain ongoing traditions. They perform several dances. Their deities include Ajaaw (the divine), uk'u'x kaaj and uk'u'x uleew, to which they ask for permission to perform the traditional dances. The rain, wind, clouds and corn are also considered sacred beings. The people also celebrate Easter week, Christmas and Christmas Eve. Achi religion is a syncretic version of a Christianism-animism complex. They possess saintly places such as Chipichek, Chusxan, B'ele tz'ak y Cuwajuexij. They follow the Tzolk'in calendar.

Textiles

Being an important part of Achi culture, weaving is done the same way as Ixchel, which is using a waist loom or sticks. In this way, bands, servilletes, and table cloths are produced. The fabric used is “ixkak”, which is cotton dyed in white and coffee colour. The cotton is obtained at the end of winter, and is called "mish".

Food

Main dishes include pinol and bochbol. The former is done with toasted corn, which is then powdered and mixed with turkey meat and spices. The latter is made with ayote leaves, corn dough, toasted ayote seeds and tomato; rolls are then cooked, and eaten hot. Pinol is a festive dish, while bochbol is an everyday food.

See also

In Spanish: Achí (etnia) para niños