Page:The Annals of the Cakchiquels.djvu/91

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ANNALS OF THE CAKCHIQUELS.
85

there was salvation in the mouth of an ara, and so the name Cakix was given to them. We, the Cakchiquels, we said: "Truly, in the middle of the valley lies our salvation, entering there into the earth." Therefore the name was given, Chitagah. Another, who said salvation was in the water, was called Gucumatz. The Tukuche said salvation was in a town on high, so they were called Ahcicamag. The Akahals said, "We may be saved in a honeycomb," therefore they were called Akalahay. Thus all received their names. Do not believe, however, that many were saved. Do not forget that all these names came from the east. But the Evil One scattered us abroad, said Gagavitz and Zactecauh. Thus we spoke when we turned about in our hills and valleys: "We lately took up our bows and shields, if anywhere there was war; let us now seek our hills and valleys." Thus we spoke. Then we were scattered about in many places; then we all went forth, each division its own way, each family its own way. Then a return was made to the place Valval Xucxuc, and they passed on to the places called Meme and Tacna, and they arrived at the places called Zakiteuh and Zakiquva. They went on to Meahauh and Cutamchah, and there they turned about and came to the places called Zakihuyu and Tepacuman. Then it was they could see their own hills and vales; and they came to the place called Togohil, where the Quiche men made a beginning. As they returned to Pantzic and Paraxon, we made a beginning, oh you our children, as said our first fathers and ancestors, Gagavitz and Zactecauh. Such were the hills and vales through which we passed and turned about. "Let not the praise due us for these our words cease, nor let it be forgotten that truly to you we gave the places we passed over." Thus spoke of old our fathers and our ancestors.

21. These are the places over which they passed to Popoabah, whence they descended to Qhopiytzel, among the broken rocks, among the great trees; then they descended to Mukulicya (the hidden waters) and Molomic Ghee (the stacked-up wood). There they met the Qoxahil