Cupul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kuchkabal Cupul
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| 1441–1543 | |||||||||
Kuchkabals of Yucatan after 1461.
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| Capital | Saki | ||||||||
| Common languages | Official language: Yucatec |
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| Religion | Maya religion | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| Halach Uinik | |||||||||
| Historical era | post classic / Early Modern | ||||||||
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• Established
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1441 | ||||||||
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• Disestablished
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1543 | ||||||||
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Cupul (also spelled Kupul) was a powerful Maya kingdom, or "chiefdom," in the Yucatán Peninsula. Its name, Kupul, might mean "that throws the bouncing," possibly referring to Maya ballplayers. Cupul was one of the largest and most populated Maya areas. It became strong in the mid-1400s after the fall of a big city called Mayapan. Cupul was at its peak when the Spanish, led by Francisco de Montejo, arrived in the 1500s.
Contents
How the Cupul Kingdom Was Organized
After a major war between two powerful Maya groups, the Tutul Xiu and the Cocom, the Yucatán Peninsula split into 16 smaller kingdoms. These kingdoms were called Kuchkabal. Conflicts between these Kuchkabals were quite common.
Leaders and Priests
Each Kuchkabal usually had a main city, which was its capital. The ruler and the most important priest lived there. The main ruler was known as the Halach Uinik.
Each Kuchkabal was also divided into smaller areas called "Batalib." These Batalib were managed by officials known as "Batab." The Batab were often related to the Halach Uinik. Each Batab was also the military leader for their local area.
When it came to religion, the Halach Uinik was the top leader. Below him was the Ah Kin May, who was a supreme priest. There were also regular priests called Ah Kin, which means "coming from the Sun." Another important religious figure was the "Ah Nacom," who was a sacrificial priest.
Main Towns of Cupul
The important Batalib (towns) within the Cupul kingdom included Panaba, Tsonot, Temozón, Cucumul, Tixcacalcupul, and Uayumhá.
History of Cupul
The League of Mayapan
For many years, starting around the 900s, a powerful alliance called the League of Mayapan was the main power in the Yucatán Peninsula. In 1440, the leader of Cupul, Ek Balam, founded a town with the same name.
The End of the League
In 1441, the League of Mayapan faced a big civil war. This war was fought between the Cocom and Tutul Xiu families. Other groups in the League used this conflict as a chance to rebel. By 1461, the League of Mayapan had completely fallen apart. It broke into seventeen separate Kuchkabals, including Cupul.
See also
In Spanish: Cupules para niños
