The Visionary Mayan Queen: Yohl Ik'Nal of Palenque (4 page)

Called K’in Bahlam, the Sun Jaguar, the underworld sun-full moon.

And soon thereafter, 14 days after the second son, was born the third son,

Ahau Unen K’awiil
, Lord of the Earthly Realm

And keeper of the royal blood.

“Thus were born at Matawiil, through the travail of Ix Muwaan Mat,

The three patron gods of Lakam Ha, the B’aakal Triad.

Let the people of Lakam Ha always remember their Primal Mother,

For through her comes our life and our sustenance.”

Yohl Ik’nal paused, her gaze sweeping around the plaza. All sense of personal self had evaporated, she embodied the cosmic storyteller reciting the age-old tale of origins. Despite the hot sun, the people stood in perfect stillness with rapt expressions. Sweat dripped from brows and trickled down backs, but went unnoticed. Copal incense infused her lilting tones to create a hypnotic state, enhanced by deep-seated memories that the ancient story evoked. With bated breath they waited for the ending.

“One final ceremony was required for creating the lineage of B’aakal.

There must be the sacred office of
ahaulel
– rulership.

There must be the first
k’uhul ahau
– ruling lord.

She, Ix Muwaan Mat the Primal Mother,

She first earned the right to tie on the White Headband of ruler.

It was done. 800 tuns after she was born,

Ix Muwaan Mat tied on the White Headband.

“Her three sons, the B’aakal Triad

Thought to themselves, this place needs people

To know the gods, to speak their names and keep their days.

These three decided to create the Halach Uinik-real people.

And then was created the first person, the modeling of the first mother-father,

With yellow and white corn for the flesh, for the bones and legs and arms.

This first person,
U K’ix Kan
, was simply made and modeled,

There was no mother and no father.

By sacrifice and their
uayob
(spirit companions) alone

The B’aakal Triad created the first human.

“
U K’ix Kan
, mother-father of the B’aakal lineage,

Tied on the White Headband 1300 tuns after

Ix Muwaan Mat became the first ruler.

Then came the time of duality, the mother-father divided

Into female and male, so the Lords of B’aakal could live in the Middleworld.

This was done, the dividing, by nine maize drinks given by

Grandmother Xmucane, Heart of Earth, Goddess of Transformation.

More than 1200 tuns later,

K’uk Bahlam I
was born, he of Toktan.

“It was accomplished, in the Fourth Creation,

The birth of a son from a man and a woman, Halach Uinik-real people,

The progenitors of the B’aakal lineage.

The son, the ruler, Holy B’aakal Lord, K’uk Bahlam I

Whose blood flows through all rulers of Lakam Ha.

And in this way the Triad Gods, the three sons of Ix Muwaan Mat,

Created the B’aakal lineage, the founders of Lakam Ha.”

It was accomplished
. The prophetic words echoed in her mind.
She
had accomplished the entire recitation and done it correctly. As self-awareness returned her face flushed, whether from heat or pride she cared not.

Yohl Ik’nal heard the long sigh that escaped the collective throats of the crowd as they bowed, arms crossed over chests in the gesture of honoring. Once again the story was told, once again the Triad Gods of B’aakal found it fit to bring forth the great lineage that created and maintained Lakam Ha. That the story had been well told was acknowledged by the deeper than necessary bows of the High Priest and Priestess.

Drums initiated a soft cadence as the High Priest chanted, his reedy old voice wavering through the recitation of titles for the
k’uhul ahau-
divine ruler who was the gods incarnate, Holy B’aakal Lord Ahkal Mo’ Nab. A slender man with narrow features, Ahkal Mo’ Nab advanced slowly toward the platform where Yohl Ik'nal stood. Two noble attendants followed him, each carrying with great reverence an ornately wrapped bundle. As the ruler ascended the stairs to stand before the young woman, she sank to one knee, arms crossed and head bowed. The drums ceased and the priest's chant ended. After a pause, Ahkal Mo’ Nab spoke:

"Ix Yohl Ik'nal, daughter of Ah Kan Bahlam Ahau and Ix Xoc Akal Ahau, you who are now transformed into an adult, bearer of the sacred blood of Ah K'uk Bahlam Ahau our lineage founder, you who have recited correctly the names of the gods, retold their history and kept clear account of their dates, you are now acknowledged as lineage bearer. In recognition of this, you will carry the god-symbols for all people to see. You will bear the symbols of rulership as have all the leaders of B’aakal, for this is your right and heritage."

He gestured for his attendants to unwrap their bundles, taking the symbols in his hands.

"Rise, Yohl Ik'nal," he intoned. "Receive the K'awiil scepter and the K'in Ahau shield."

She stood and looked directly into her uncle's eyes. The family resemblance was striking: they shared the same strong jaw line and almond eyes with straight brows, similar full lips and prominent noses, and both had elongated skulls sweeping from brow to crown. He offered the K'awiil scepter into her right hand, and placed the K'in Ahau shield on her left arm. Although both were heavy, she bore them without apparent effort.

The K'awiil scepter was made of carved obsidian as long as her forearm, portraying the Triad Deity Unen K'awiil who was patron god of the ruling lineage. A smoking knife protruded from a mirror on his forehead, and one leg became a serpent that represented his uay (animal spirit). K'awiil was the serpent-footed lightning god, who connected the sky and earth, gods and humans, and whose vision was infinite. He gave power to the K'uhul Ahau – Holy Lord, the god-ruler, for visioning and communicating with deities.

The K'in Ahau shield featured the face of the sun god with square eyes and swirling pupils, long nose and a forehead mirror, placed on a four-petaled flower that was the sun glyph. Maya rulers were the embodiment of Father Sun, K'in Ahau-Sun Lord, for they maintained proper relations with solar forces and sunlight.

The Holy B’aakal Lord was the only person who normally could touch these accoutrements of office. It was a high honor for Yohl Ik'nal to carry them, and she trembled inside. It was not fear, but the magnitude of what she was about to do. Next she would walk the entire periphery of the plaza, carrying the K'awiil scepter and K'in Ahau shield, displaying these powerful symbols of rulership to the people of B’aakal. It would mark her forever as someone apart, different, not simply noble but of the sacred lineage descended from the gods. Through her body and blood, future rulers might be born. It signified her role as priestess and visionary, as holder of the memories. The people would respect her at a distance, elders would consult with her, and nobles would come to her for spiritual guidance and dream interpretations. Her future was being set, and it would not be ordinary.

She had passed over a threshold. The ritual had indeed transformed her and she felt the difference. Strength and confidence soared through her, evaporating fears and doubts. She turned slowly, feeling jolts of lightning coursing up her arms from the symbols of rulership. Her body felt ablaze with power. Catching her father’s eyes, she rejoiced in his obvious joy.

“This is your gift.” Her eyes held his like an embrace. “I have done this for you.”

The drums took up a brisk tempo, joined by lilting flutes and accented by mournful wails of long wooden horns. Yohl Ik'nal lifted her head high, making feathers of her headdress sway and bobble, and descended the platform stairs to the plaza floor. Her parents and the High Priest and Priestess followed. Eyes straight ahead, she walked the plaza at the crowd's edge, holding the symbols so they were clearly visible.

From the nobles’ platform, two different pairs of eyes watched her closely with new feelings—one with admiration and the other with jealousy. Both were young men, not much older, and both were distant relatives. The eyes of Hun Pakal observed her as if he had never noticed her before, which in fact he hardly had. Busy with the physical training of young men involving mock combat, races, ball games, hunting and contests of strength, his path seldom crossed that of the palace women. He did know who she was and might even have exchanged a few words at social gatherings. But she certainly had not made much of an impression. Today all that changed. He was struck, taken by her graceful movements, strong presence, and radiant beauty. Why had he never noticed this before? Her irresistible mix of strength and gentleness captivated him.

The other young man’s response was completely opposite. The eyes of Ek Chuuah narrowed as he observed the high ritual, a ritual he coveted for himself. His family also claimed sacred bloodlines, but not pure enough to give him rights as a lineage holder. From early childhood, however, he had yearned for power and position. He observed the Holy B’aakal Lord with intense respect and modeled himself after the ruler. He dreamed of assuming such revered leadership, receiving the people's adulation, holding counsel with nobles and priests as he dispensed wise advice and strong edicts.

Inside he burned for this power. And now he watched his distant cousin, a young woman of no particular distinction, undergoing the ritual of lineage bearer. That title he wanted fiercely for himself. Hot toxins of jealousy exploded through his body. He boiled with resentment. All his stifled rage erupted at Yohl Ik'nal and he hated her. She became the symbol of everything that stood between him and his ambition.

"I will find a way." Powerful jaw muscles bulged as Ek Chuuah ground his teeth. His mind reasoned coldly despite erupting emotions. "Lineage succession is not indelibly set. Sacred blood courses through my veins, and it is hotter and stronger than hers. Our ruler Ahkal Mo’ Nab has no children. At his age, if he has produced none, he is unlikely to have any. His brother's family, and especially Yohl Ik'nal, be cursed! There are ways to discredit them. Now is coming the time for another part of the lineage to take over. My part."

2

Lakam Ha overlooked the broad plain across which the K’umaxha – Sacred Monkey River coursed. The plain fanned north to the Great North Sea – Nab’nah whose waters were grey. Several waterways led to this distant sea, but the K’umaxha was used most for travel. The setting sun was swallowed by the blue waters of another great sea though few had visited this distant place. In the east was K’ak-nab the fabled azure sea, color of precious jade, where traders obtained red spondylus shells and stingray spines for sacred ceremony. Lakam Ha was truly a place of many waters, its small rivers cascading from upper slopes through ravines and limestone boulders, pausing in quiet pools cloaked by lush greenery. The small rivers connected to large arteries leading to the seas that surrounded the turtle carapace holding up the lands of the Mayas.

From the narrow, irregular shelf of land on which the city perched, high escarpments ascended to steep mountains in the south. Many rivers cut through the mountains and offered transportation through the dense jungle. Farther south the mountains rose exuberantly to impressive peaks, home of highland rain forests perpetually bathed in cold mists. Here lived the prized quetzal bird whose feathers adorned regal headdresses. Reports by traders told of a narrow isthmus far to the south that could be traversed in less than a day’s travel. Beyond that, another immense land arose with a river as wide as a lake and mountains reaching so high that they must put the traveler into the Upperworld.

The polity of B’aakal was under the oversight of Lakam Ha. Close relationships existed with nearby cities. To the north were ally cities of B’aak and Nab’nahotot. Within the polity along the Sacred Monkey River were the cities of Yokib and Pa’chan. Tucked into the hills was Usihwitz, an artistic center with accomplished muralists. Popo’ sat on the banks of a tributary flowing south, isolated by nearly impassable jungles. Beyond these cities to the southeast began the territory of another polity, the powerful Mutul, among the oldest and greatest of Maya cities.

Toktan was a legendary city cloaked in mystery. It was the birthplace of Lord K’uk Bahlam, the first fully human ancestor of the ruling lineage. None could say exactly where Toktan was; perhaps it existed in another dimension.

Yohl Ik’nal was expected to learn about the geography and politics of cities in the B’aakal polity. Now that she was designated as bearer of royal blood, it was her responsibility to study governance. She would soon attend her first Council meeting, and sit upon the mats at the Popol Nah. Much to her delight, her father Kan Bahlam, a seasoned statesman, undertook her instruction.

“The basis of our social organization is cooperation.” Kan Bahlam fully enjoyed the mentor role with his daughter. “There is hierarchy, yes, for each is born to a certain status with implied roles. The spirit comes into a body perfectly formed for that status. This shapes our destiny, ordained in all wisdom by the deities. Society also follows its destiny, following patterns given by the gods to maintain harmony and order. As long as people keep these sacred laws, they attain personal satisfaction and we continue in peaceful coexistence with other cities.”

He explained to her the
may cycle
, a venerable tradition given by the gods. Mayas, the people of the
may
, were keepers of calendar knowledge that included the
may
cycles. These cycles shaped the political landscape of B’aakal polity, as they had formed the sociopolitical substructure of Maya society from long distant times. This way of organizing society was a brilliant gift of the gods, who in their wisdom understood the limitations of humans, their tendencies toward selfishness and acquisition and lust for power. In the
may
cycles, authority, power and prestige were rotated among different Maya cities in a clearly defined and timed process.

The
may
cycle followed the numerology of 13 by 20. This was based on the Maya 360-day “year” called
tun.
One
may
cycle lasted 260 tuns (256 solar years), consisting of 13
katuns
of 20 tuns each. It was divided into two parts of 130 tuns each (128 solar years). The city selected to be the seat of the
may
became the spiritual, ritual and political center of its region. Called the
May Ku
, this city built plazas and temples to hold regional ceremonies and was considered the crossroads, the navel of the world. Using creation symbolism, the city denoted a sacred ceiba tree (
yax che
), a sacred grove (
tzukub te
), and a sacred well (
ch’en
).