Ceh Pech facts for kids
Ceh Pech (pronounced Keh Pech) was the name of an important Maya family and a region they ruled. This region was called a kuchkabal, which means a province or state. It was located in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula.
The Ceh Pech family ruled before the Spanish conquest of the Yucatán in the 1500s. Interestingly, the Pech family still exists today!
History
The 1400s
Around the mid-1400s, a big change happened in the Maya world. The League of Mayapan, a powerful alliance of Maya cities, broke apart. This led to 16 different smaller states forming. These states were in the area we now know as the Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo.
Naum Pech is known as the founder of the Ceh Pech family's rule. He was related to the Cocomes family, who were leaders in Mayapan. Naum Pech became the Halach Uinik (a top ruler) in 1470. He ruled from Motul, which became the capital of the Ceh Pech region.
Other members of the Pech family also became important leaders. For example, Nakuk Pech was a batab (a local governor or chief) in Chicxulub Pueblo. Ah Makam Pech was a batab in Yaxkukul. Many relatives held leadership roles across the region.
The 1500s
When the Spanish conquistadores (conquerors) arrived, the Ceh Pech family often worked with them. They even helped the Spanish fight against other Maya groups. This was part of their old rivalries with other local states.
However, the Ceh Pech capital was taken over by the Spanish in 1538. This meant they lost their independence. Even so, the Spanish recognized the Pech family as nobles. They were allowed to use the title "Don," which was usually for important family leaders. The family also kept their wealth and power over their lands.
On May 8, 1544, members of the Ceh Pech family wrote a letter to the Spanish King Charles V. They wanted to tell him about their situation.
Later, in 1557 and 1558, two Pech family members, Melchor Pech and Francisco Pech, officially showed their loyalty to the new Spanish King, Philip II. By 1567, the Pech family still held the position of batab in 21 out of 25 towns in the Ceh Pech region.
Later Centuries
Even in the late 1600s, the Pech family remained important. Tax records from 1688 show 15 adult family members. A total of 34 family members were known at that time.
Throughout the 1600s and 1700s, members of the Pech family continued to serve as batab in towns like Yaxkukul, Ixil, Motul, Chuburna, and Chicxulub. In Ixil, the Pech family owned the largest estates.
Family Members
- Ah Kom Pech
- Ah Makam Pech
- Francisco Pech
- Melchor Pech
- Naum Pech, who was the Halach Uinik in Motul starting in 1470
- Nakuk Pech (1490–1562), Batab of Xulub Chen (now Chicxulub), who wrote The history of Xulub Chen
- Tunal Ah Pech
See also
In Spanish: Ceh Pech para niños
- History of the Yucatán Peninsula
- Maya civilization
- Maya culture
- Spanish colonization of the Americas
