The frequent references by Xahila to the seven tribes, or rather the seven cities, vuk amaꜫ, and the thirteen divisions or provinces, oxlahuh ꜭhob, are not explained in the course of the narrative. These numbers retained sacred associations, as they were adopted later to assign the days of worship of their divinity (see Sec. 44). Brasseur is of opinion that the thirteen divisions refer to the Pokomams,[1] but that such a subdivision obtained among the Cakchiquels as well, is evident from many parts of their Annals. The same division also prevailed, from remote times, among the Quiches,[2] and hence was probably in use among all these tribes. It may have had some superstitious connection with the thirteen days of their week. The ꜭhob may be regarded as the original gens of the tribe, and the similarity of this word to the radical syllable of the Nahuatl calp-ulli, may not be accidental. I have elsewhere spoken of the singular frequency with which we hear of seven ancestors, cities, caves, etc., in the most ancient legends of the American race.[3]
Terms of Affinity and Salutation.
In the Cakchiquel grammar which I edited, I have given a tolerably full list of the terms of consanguinity and affinity in the tongue (pp. 28, 29). But it is essential to the correct
- ↑ Hist, du Mexique, Tom. II, p. 84.
- ↑ Their names are given in the Titulos de la Casa de Ixcuin Nehaib, p. 3. They are called "pueblos principales, cabezas de calpules." The Nahuatl word, calpulli, here used, meant the kinsfolk actual and adopted, settled together. They were the gentes of the tribe. See Ad. F. Bandelièr, On the Social Organization and Mode of Government of the Ancient Mexicans, for a full explanation of their nature and powers.
- ↑ The Lenãpe and their Legends, p. 139.
