Sak Chʼeen facts for kids
Sak Chʼeen was an important leader, also called a ruler or king, of the Maya city-state of Motul de San José. This ancient city was located in what is now Guatemala.
Who Was Sak Chʼeen?
Sak Chʼeen was a powerful ruler during the time of the ancient Maya civilization. He led the city of Motul de San José. We know about him mostly from a special object: a cylindrical vase. This vase tells us a story about his life and importance.
The Story on the Vase
A cylindrical vase shows Sak Chʼeen in action. According to Mayanist David Stuart, who studies the ancient Maya, this vase shows a special ballgame. The game was played between the kings of two cities: El Pajaral and Motul de San José.
It is believed that the king of El Pajaral had this vase made. It was created to remember a visit from Sak Chʼeen of Motul de San José. This shows how important Sak Chʼeen was, as another king wanted to celebrate his visit with such a detailed artwork.
Sak Chʼeen's Ballgame Outfit
The vase gives us a clear picture of Sak Chʼeen during the ballgame. He is shown wearing special gear for the game:
- A large yoke: This was a heavy belt worn around the waist. It helped protect players during the fast-paced game.
- Hip guards: These were made from painted deerskin. They might have had fringes or feathers as decoration.
- An elaborate headdress: This was a very fancy and detailed headpiece. It likely showed his high status as a king.
The vase shows Sak Chʼeen dropping onto one knee, perhaps with a knee pad, to hit the ball. The ball itself is shown as very large, much bigger than it would have been in real life. This might have been done to show how important the ballgame was.
