Sisimito II - Xibalba

By Henry W. Anderson

Molly Cervantez and Sergeant Eutimio (Stephen) Chiac are once again hurled into the dangerous and mysterious world of Sisimito (Mahanamatz), the Cockscomb Basin, and the Maya Mountains, Belize. As Eutimio tries to rescue Molly from the dreaded Sisimito, he enters the darkness and evil wonder of the Maya Underworld and has to use the wit and cunning of the Hero Twins, the gods Hunahpu and Xbalanque, if he is to escape the City of Xibalba and the Death Gods, and continue his mission to save his future wife, Molly

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9789769556133

Book preview

Published by:

Jabiru Books Belize

Placencia, Belize.

Website: http://jabirubooksbelize.com

First Published 2017.

Copyright © 2017 Henry W. Anderson MBBS JP, Stephanie D. Anderson, and Jabiru Books Belize.

Printed Book and E-book conversion by BookBaby, U.S.A.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher and/or storyteller.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the storyteller’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Please note that Expedition Bold did take place. The members’ names are used in the Sisimito Series to acknowledge them.

Printed Book ISBN: 978-976-95561-2-6

EAN: 9789769556126

E-Book ISBN: 978-976-95561-3-3

EAN: 9789769556133

WORDS ABOUT THE STORYTELLER.

British Honduras Volunteer Guard Camp

Mountain Pine Ridge, Cayo District

May, 1972

Dr. Henry W. Anderson was born in Dangriga, Belize. He received his medical degree from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica.

After medical internship in Nassau, The Bahamas, he returned home to practice where he had his Private Practice Clinic for over twenty years. He also served as District Medical officer for the Stann Creek District. He has served Belize in other ways. He served as a soldier in the British Honduras Volunteer Guards. In politics, he contested both municipal and general elections. As a diplomat, he was stationed in Washington D.C. and in Guatemala City. He has been nominated to several Boards and is a Justice of the Peace.

Three of Dr. Anderson’s works have been published in Belize. They are The Son of Kinich, a volume of poetry; The Eddy, a collection of short stories; Ode to the One-Eyed Lady, a novel about a hurricane approaching Belize. Recently published, both as printed and E-books, are Sisimito, Christ Son Of Man - The Voyage To Araboth II, and Sisimito II - Xibalba. The second edition of Sisimito is titled Sisimito I - Ox Witz Ha and is the first book of the Sisimito Series. There are very few changes from Sisimito.

The late Ambassador Edward A. Laing wrote: Mastery over form and catholic technique are staples in this poet’s work, which is very accessible. Belizean writer Emory King contributed: Your poems indicate a depth of thought and a way with words that is rare in this age of sound-bytes and digest opinions. The Reporter Press stated: Every now and then, a Belizean writer produces a cerebral work that is so intellectually stimulating that it leaves one staring beyond the book and into space. Minister of Education, C. B. Hyde wrote on Ode to the One-Eyed Lady: I have come to the conclusion that this is a great book, not because it is enjoyable and easy to read, although it is, but it is, perhaps, the best book ever written on the subject with which it deals.

Dr. Anderson was the first medical student to be awarded the ‘Use of English Prize’ at the University of the West Indies.

Dr. Anderson is married to Stephanie, née Gegg-Grange. They have four children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Presently, they reside in Minnesota, U.S.A.

Other Books by Dr. Henry W. Anderson

The Son Of Kinich - Illustrated Poetical Works.

The Eddy - A collection of short stories.

Ode To The One-Eyed Lady - A novel about a hurricane hitting Belize.

Sisimito - Ox Witz Ha: First novel of the Sisimito Series, second edition.  First edition titled Sisimito.

Christ Son of Man - The Voyage To Araboth II. - A Science Fiction/Religious novel.

Soon to be released: Sisimito III – Topoxte.

Acknowledgements.

Dr. Henry W. Anderson would like to thank the Belize Defence Force for all the help the Force has provided to him.

CONTENTS

Words about the Storyteller.

List of Illustrations.

FOREWORD

The Military - Ranks and Insignias.

Weapons.

Xibalba: Rivers and Trial Houses.

The Ballgame: Pitz.

Some Maya Phrases and Words often used.

Names of Folklore Characters and Caricatures: The Kechelaj Komon

Sisimito-Mahanamtz

CHAPTERS

I - - - Santa Cruz

2 - - - The Day After

3 - - - Unexpected Arrivals

4 - - - Encounter with Mal Viento: Evil Wind

5 - - - Taat’s Medicinal Talents

6 - - - The Chiquibul

7 - - - A Look at the Cosmos

8 - - - A Battle on the Floodplain

9 - - -Dark Lands, Death Lords, Dark House: Ee’hoch’e’en Ja

10 - - Rattling House or Cold House: Ke’el Ja

11 - - Bat House: Sotz’ Ja

12 - - Jaguar House: Baläm Ja

13 - - Razor House: U-yeh Ja

14 - - Hot House: K’íikab Ja

15 - - Planning and Strategies

16 - - The Ballgame: Pitz

17 - - River Of Scorpions: Nim-ja’ Ti’ Síina’ans

Preview of Sisimito III - Topoxte

APPENDIX

The Gods

Death Gods and Demon Gods of Xibalba

Kriol, Maya, and Spanish words in alphabetical order

Belize Folk Characters briefs and names used

Some Belize Defence Force Slangs

BIBLIOGRAPHY

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

1 - - Chiac’s March in his World - Southern Belize

2 - - The Honeymoon Hut

3 - - The Trail to Uch Ben Cah

4 - - The Altar at Uch Ben Cah

5 - - San Jose Hawiia as seen from Major Black Hill

6 - - Edwards Central

7 - - The Gorge on the Trail to Burgos Camp

8 - - Burgos Camp

9 - - The Tiered Flat Rocks

10 - - A Sudden Deep-hole

11 - - The Chiquibul Branch Tributary and a Sani-bay

12 - The Ek Baläm Prints

13 - The Battle at Chiquibul Branch

14 - The City of Xibalba

15 - The Cavern of Trials-Xibalba

16 - Battle Formation on the Sacbeob to the Nim-ja’ Ti’ Síina’ans

FOREWORD

THE MILITARY RANKS and INSIGNIAS

Nacon is a general name for ‘officer’.

T’oit’ik-jolom is a ‘Renowned Soldier/Warrior’ of any rank.

Waach - Private.

Oxib’ Nimal - Lance Corporal - 1 string necklace with 1 shell medallion.

Ukab Nimal - Corporal - 1 string necklace with 2 shell medallions.

Nabe Nimal - Sergeant - 1 string necklace with 3 shell medallions.

Oxib’ Nimal Nacon - Officer Cadet - 1 string necklace with 4 shell medallions.

Ukab Nimal Nacon - Second Lieutenant - 1 string necklace with 1 obsidian arrowhead.

Nabe Nimal Nacon - First Lieutenant - 1 string necklace with 2 obsidian arrowheads.

Oxib Nacon - Captain - 1 string necklace with 3 obsidian arrowheads.

Ukab Nacon - Major - 1 string necklace with 4 obsidian arrowheads.

Nabe Nacon - Lieutenant Colonel - 1 string necklace with 5 obsidian arrowheads.

Ukab Kaloonte’ - Brigadier - 1 string necklace with 1 jade temple medallion.

Nabe Kaloonte’ - Major General - 1 string necklace with 2 jade temple medallions.

Nim-q’ij Ukab Kaloonte’ - Lieutenant General - 1 string necklace with 3 jade temple medallions.

Nim-q’ij Nabe Kaloonte’ - General - 1 string necklace with 4 jade temple medallions.

RELATED MILITARY

Nabe - First.

Ukab - Second.

Oxib’ - Third.

Batab - War Chief.

Kohaw - War helmet made of stone such as pyrite, worn only by Ajaws and Kaloonte’s.

T’uup - Smallest Unit: Section, Squad, Fireteam.

WEAPONS

Ba’at - Wooden axe edged with flint and/or obsidian blades.

Bate’ - Spear.

Ch’ab - Arrow.

Ikaj - Stone axe.

Jatz’om - Spear thrower or atlatl.

K’iaqbal-ch’ab - Bow for shooting arrows.

K’iaqbal - Sling stone or dart.

Kus - Quiver for arrows.

Maquahuitl - Club.

Pub - Blowgun.

Q’osibal - Short, thick stick used as a weapon; club.

Sk’op - Bow and arrow together.

To’bal-rib - Shield.

U-yeh - Blade.

Wik’iaq - Slingshot or sling.

Xjos - Small sickle. (also: ixjos.)

XIBALBA

Vessel depicting deities in the Court of Xibalba.

RIVERS OF XIBALBA:

Nim-ja’ Ti’ Síina’ans - River of Scorpions.

Nim-ja’ Ti’ K’i’ik-River of Blood.

Nim-ja’ Ti’ Puh - River of Pus.

TRIAL HOUSES of the COUNCIL PLACE OF THE LORDS:

Ee’hoch’e’en Ja - Dark House.

Ke’el Ja - Cold House or Rattling House.

Baläm Ja - Jaguar House.

Sotz’ Ja - Bat house.

U-yeh Ja - Razor House.

K’íilkab Ja - Hot House.

THE BALLGAME – PITZ

Pitz - The name of the ballgame.

Ti Pitziil - The action of play. Only the head, hips, knees, elbows, and the yoke are allowed to hit the game ball (ol). In the Sisimito Series, the ankle is used.

Ol - The game ball is made from a mixture of kik (rubber) and the Guamol tree.

Kipachq’ab’ - Equipment to protect the knees and elbows.

Pix’om - Equipment to protect the head.

Tz’um - Equipment to protect the hips.

MAYA PHRASES/WORDS USED OFTEN

Áayin - Crocodile.

Áayin as it sleeps in the chokoh: Crocodile as it sleeps in the warm weather.

A’kl (Ke’kchi) - Trumpet Tree. Refers here to the dried leaves used for smoking. The Mopan word is cho-otz.

Baläm - General name for ‘jaguar’.

Batz - Howler Monkey.

Beyxan teen - Me too.

Chokoh - Warm weather.

Chakuj tutuchci - To work the stiff penis. To have sex.

Chan-koxol - Mosquito.

Cho-otz (Mopan) - Trumpet Tree. Refers here to the dried leaves used for smoking. The Ke’kchi word is A’kl.

Chúumuk Sacbeob - Central Road.

Hach-k’ek’en - Waari.

Icim - Mottled owl.

Ix Na Li Kawa - Mother Of God.

Ixca junes maka ka metzev - We are never stronger than when we are one.

Ja’ Xakanul is the name used for both the ‘water volcano’ and its ‘crater lake’.

K’uutz - Marijuana.

Ka xi’ik te’ex hatz’utzil - Good luck.

Kechelaj Jupuq - Jungle Horde of Sisimito’s enchanted animals.

Kechelaj Komon - Jungle Folk.

Ke’eleen: I’m cold.

Kitam - Peccary. Kriol is pikayri.

K’i’ik - blood.

Ko’one’ex - Let’s go.

Kool - Milpa.

Koolnáal - Milpero.

Kos - Laughing Falcon.

Krus-be - Crossroad.

Kua - Tortilla.

Lej-xajäbs - Sandals.

Mahanamtz - Sisimito.

Mix ba’al - Nothing.

Nacon - Military officer

Nah’ - Mother.

Nim-ja’ - River.

Nim-ja’ Ti’ K’i’ik - River of Blood.

Nim-ja’ Ti’ Puh - River of Pus.

Nim-ja’ Ti’ Síina’ans - River of Scorpions.

Puh - pus.

Sacbeob - Road.

Síina’an - Scorpion.

Taat - Father.

Tak-sáamal - Until tomorrow.

Tin bin ichkíil - I’m going to take a bath.

Tin bin tz’oon - I’m going hunting.

T’oit’ik-jolom - Renowned Soldier/Warrior.

Tóolok - Means ‘small lizard’ and is the name Chiac uses for his penis.

Tu laak’ k’iin - Until another day.

Tz’o’okeen: I am done.

U Wach Ulew - Name of the Surface World.

Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ - Woman With No Name.

Xir - Cricket.

Ya’ax-chich - Jade.

Yaxché - The Sacred Ceiba Tree that holds the three levels of Maya cosmology together.

NOTE: For simplicity and clarity, in the Sisimito Series, the plural of Maya nouns is simply indicated by the addition of the letter ‘S’ except when that word already ends in ‘S’ or an ‘X’. When a word is ‘broken’, e.g. lej xajäbs, a hyphen is used for clarity, e.g. lej-xajäbs.

NAMES OF FOLKLORE CHARACTERS AND CARICATURES:

THE KECHELAJ KOMON.

For brief descriptions see the Appendix.

Alaj Chaj-r-ij Wíinik: Hashishi Pampi.

Alaj Ponopik: Duenditos.

Etzelal Iq’: Mozon.

Hach-k’ek’en Ajchaq’e: Waari Massa.

Kechelaj Jupuq: Jungle Horde.

Kechelaj Komon: Jungle Folk.

Kitam Ajchaq’e: El Dueño de Los Kekeos.

Mahanamatz: Sisimito.

Patzapik: Cadejo.

Q’eq Ja Wíinik: Negro de Agua.

Ralxik: Mahanamtz’ bocotora clapansaya.

Tata Ponopik: Tata Duende.

Xtabai: Xtabai.

Xwáay Kumätz: La Sirena.

Xwáay Éek’: La Sucia.

Xwáay Mulibal-k’ux’: La Sigua.

Xwáay Ok’ol: La Llorona.

Xwáay Chikoop: Ole Heg.

SISIMITO- MAHANAMTZ

If you are a man and you see him, you will die within a month. If you are a woman and you see him, your life will be prolonged.

Best described as a large, hairy gorilla with a head much like a human’s, Sisimito is a character that spans the legends of many of Belize’s ethnic groups, including the Garinagu, who call it Sisimidu. A Spanish word with the female form of Sisimita has no English translation and appears to have come from the Nahuatl word Tzitzimitl.

Tales of the Sisimito were told in the camps by the mahogany cutters of earlier days and are still passed along in villages like Ranchito and Hill Bank. He is said to inhabit high forest areas and to live in caves and rocky land. In the Toledo District, forest areas have decreased over the years because of agricultural development and the Ke’kchi believe that Tzultacah, the deity who protects them from wild animals, has taken Sisimito into the few densely jungled areas remaining; so, he is rarely seen today.

Among the Maya of San Antonio, the Sisimito is called Mahanamtz, the Maya word for a gorilla-like, mythical animal. Most accounts describe Sisimito in this way, saying also that he has no thumbs and only four fingers on each hand. He has no knees and his feet are turned backwards. His diet consists of raw meat and fruits and when feasting on human beings he will tear the body into several pieces before devouring it. Though fierce and malevolent towards humans, he is afraid of water and dogs and will avoid them at all costs.

He often assumes human form, lures people out of a village, and then kills them; because of this, he is sometimes confused with Xtabai or La Llorona. A man who looks into Sisimito’s eyes and escapes usually dies within a month. A woman, on the other hand, has a prolonged life as a result. Male and female Sisimitos exist only in certain areas; they kill human members of the same sex and abduct, and sometimes rape, those of the opposite sex.

A young farmer from the Toledo District once reported that his wife had been carried off by a Sisimito and because authorities believed he had killed his wife they imprisoned him. Sometime later, a group of hunters discovered a wild-looking woman drinking at a stream by the hillside. They tried to capture her, but she struggled violently, more so when a Sisimito appeared at the top of the hill carrying a child who looked like a cross between a monkey and a human. The Sisimito shrieked wildly and purposely dropped the child. He then trampled down the hill and threw branches at the hunters who, nevertheless, managed to carry the woman away. When they brought her before the imprisoned man, however, he was unable to recognize her saying that his wife had been young and attractive unlike the wild, unsightly woman he saw before him.

The woman refused to speak or eat and she died a few days later, pining away for her lost child.

Especially on Sundays and religious holidays, such as Good Friday, Sisimito preys on hunters and other people who stray into the bush. He follows human footprints, with his main purpose being either to kill his victims or rip off their thumbs; he will also attack men who are killing animals needlessly or destroying the forest.

Sisimito harbors an intense desire to learn to speak and, in a desperate attempt, will kidnap children with hopes of learning to talk from them. The children cannot be rescued because the trail leading into the forest can be wiped out by the Sisimito who sometimes reverses his feet and runs heels foremost. He is fascinated by fire and will sit patiently by a hunter’s fire until it goes out and then dines on the embers.

Despite all this, he is not invincible and can be outsmarted in various ways. He can be shot in the face; the rest of his body is protected by thick hair and would not be affected by bullets. Also, on seeing Sisimito, you can strip naked and dance and jump about, making him laugh uncontrollably until he falls down unconscious. If you dance in a circle he will try to follow you, but because his feet are on backwards he will trip and fall.

Some say that he fears his own blood and, to make him run away, you can hand him your machete and, while his hand is grasping it, quickly pull the machete away causing him to cut his hand deeply.

The Sisimito can, in fact, be tricked in a couple of ways because of his limited intelligence. When you walk away from him he becomes confused, thinking that you are actually approaching him. Sometimes, you can make a path of footprints that lead into the bush and Sisimito, unable to follow the trail any longer, will turn and begin to follow his own footsteps, thinking they are someone else’s. The ultimate way to get rid of him, however, is to set fire to his long hair.

The above extract/artwork is from Characters and Caricatures in Belizean Folklore.

Illustration 1: Chiac’s March in his World: Southern Belize.

CHAPTER ONE

SANTA CRUZ, TOLEDO DISTRICT,

BRITISH HONDURAS (BELIZE)

Easter Sunday, April 22, 1973

It was just after midday in the village of Santa Cruz. As was normal, the smell of kua1 still hung heavily in the air after the midday meal had been served and eaten. That day, however, along with the smell of kua baking on many k’els,2 I smelled ixtama’als,3 roasted haaleb,4 bollos,5 pooch,6 ch’ukcua,7 iik,8 boiled and roasted q’än-jal.9 Two pigs and a young bull had been butchered the night before and the soldiers of my section had a special bollo made for me from the bull balls with a lot of habanero pepper. I had that for lunch, the men laughing and talking over me as I ate, reminding me that bull balls were good for the back, a great aphrodisiac which I was sure to need for the night’s activities. Other savory smells came from large pots of tiáálinbil10 made not only from the pork and beef, but from kitam,11 hack k’ek’en,12 k’ambul,13 ah-cox,14 and kolol.15 There would also be yams, cassava, rice, beans, plantain, banana, fruits like papaya, pineapple, and watermelon, sweets made from co’oc16 like tablayta and cut-a-brute, fudge made with peanuts, and wangla.17 It was obvious that the metate18 and the tenleb19 had been put to continuous work.

Many of the village men were stretched out in their hammocks taking a siesta before they got dressed for the evening fiesta, having done their share in the preparations. No one had gone to their kool20 that day. It was not only because it was Easter Sunday, but because of the grand event that was happening that evening, at four-o-clock to be exact. Even the Good Friday religious activities two days before had been somewhat overshadowed. That morning, the churches held their Easter Services early, so that the villagers would have enough time to complete preparations. As Molly, my about to be wife, was Catholic, we went to the village’s small wooden Catholic Church for Easter Sunday Services. In my late boyhood, I had been baptized as a Catholic by Father Stiobhan, but as I grew older I had very little to do with religion. At mass that morning, it seemed that even the priest was getting into the spirit of the coming evening festivities as his Easter Sermon was short. For that I was extremely grateful. I had tried to get out of going to the service, my head feeling twice its natural size, but Molly insisted and so I had complied. Afterwards, we proceeded to breakfast under an open shed. I forced down some k’ah21 and a bollo, downing cup after cup of our locally grown coffee as I suffered. I saw Molly looking at me rather often. She shook her head once, but she said nothing. I didn’t think she felt any sympathy for me or my head.

I tried to amuse myself at the table by bugging my Best Man, Rhys, about the Maid of Honor whom I really didn’t know. She was a colleague of Molly’s, both of them teaching at the same college in Belize City. Maureen was not stunning, but definitely good looking. She was generally trim and had small tempting ledges in the right places. She was a little darker than Molly, her hair wavy black, nose small, mouth a good size for kissing, and her eyes a strange green. I didn’t know if she was a good match for Rhys, but I wished him luck, anyhow. Rhys said he had seen her in Belize City, but didn’t really know her either. He had laughed as I teased him, saying that he never thought he would get the opportunity to dance with her. As the Best Man, he would. I jokingly told him he owed me a few chelas22 for the opportunity I was giving him.

The village women were very busy, doing something, doing nothing. They were running up and down and around the tall Ceiba tree23 that grew in the center of the village, making sure that the tables were properly covered with traditionally woven white and other colorful cloths, that flowers were in place, that there was enough space for food, eating utensils, and drinks. There would be guaro,24 cususa,25 spudi,26 cashew wine, and even chelas. There would be k’ah, matz,27 and chicha28. Torches had been stuck in the ground for lighting at dusk. Alcalde29 Cucul had wanted to get tents from Belize City, but Molly and I disagreed. Yes! Molly and I were getting married and we wanted our wedding to be as open to nature as possible, even if it rained. We didn’t think it would as March and April boasted the lowest rainfall of the year in that region of my country.

The wedding ceremony was taking place at Uch Ben Cah, a Maya ruin situated about one mile from the northeastern end of the village. At daybreak that morning our parents, Rhys as my Best Man, Maureen Wade as the Maid of Honor, Molly and I took the ceremonial walk to the wedding site, as was the tradition of my people. The path had been widened to accommodate the wedding march that would take place that evening and even the chopped grass and bushes had been removed.

A patchy mist often surrounded us as we walked, reaching out from my green and pristine jungle that lined the pathway. The singing and chirp-chirp of xirs30 were everywhere. There were the early calls of the k’ambuls, almost overshadowed by a noisy flock of xt’uts31 in the high canopy above us. Almost silent was the gwow-gwow-gwow-gwow-gwow-gwot of an icim32 that hadn’t settled down as yet in its nest after its nightly hunt. I felt koal seed33 rise on my skin. An icim always brought back memories of dangerous times to me. I gazed at an áak34 as it slowly crossed the path ahead of us and I fought to push the dark memories away. Afterwards, we returned to Santa Cruz, attended Easter Service, then ate breakfast.

There had been quite a stir when Molly and I announced we were getting married. It was an explosion when we informed Mr. and Mrs. Cer-vantez that the wedding would be in Santa Cruz rather than in Belize City. The Cervantez family who always fought the idea of me marrying Molly, after relenting to a very insistent Molly, wanted the wedding to be held at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Belize City. It wasn’t that I had anything against the cathedral, but I didn’t want to marry in Belize City and I didn’t want to marry in a closed-in building. Santa Cruz was my home, nestled in my jungle. We knew that we would have to live in Belize City because of my military obligations and Molly’s teaching career, but to be married there … my wedding would be as cold as the bricks that built the cathedral. Molly had reminded me that it was traditional that the marriage took place at the bride’s home town. She had even given me a lecture on the history of the cathedral, which I remember quite clearly. The cathedral was built in 1858 of bricks, most of which came from the salvage of the ballast of sailing ships that came almost empty to British Honduras to take on logwood and mahogany logs. The massive columns in the cathedral were of solid mahogany and the soaring high altar was of classic Greco-Roman design, whatever that was. The interior was almost all mahogany and the original floor, which was wooden, was replaced by concrete and tile after Hurricane Hattie in 1961. Although, as I said before, I had nothing against the cathedral, I had no personal love for it either. Yet, I found it upsetting that a warm wooden floor would be replaced by cold concrete and tiles. We decided on Santa Cruz. It was not that I won out, but we knew that it was the jungle that had brought us together and the jungle was a place we both loved. Not to have our wedding and future lives as husband and wife overshadowed, we both forced ourselves to ignore the circumstances surrounding our meeting in the jungle and the dangers and horrors we had endured there.

After we had settled our problems with Ma and Pa Cervantez, we had to take care of Nah’35 and Taat.36 Traditionally, in my world at Santa Cruz, once a bwai37 sees the spring chicken38 he wants to marry, he tells his parents. I, however, was no bwai. I was a full-grown man, but Nah’ and Taat often didn’t wish to see that. Once I told them I was getting married, they wanted to set in motion our full marriage system. They insisted that we set a date for them to travel all the way to Belize City to inform Ma and Pa Cervantez of my intentions. Normally, according to our custom, that first visit would be made at night. That meant that they would have to travel one whole day in order to inform Ma and Pa Cervantez, spend the night at a hotel, then return the following day to Santa Cruz. They would be traversing half the length of the country twice in two days. Once Nah’ and Taat apprised Ma and Pa Cervantez of my intentions, they, in turn, would agree to consider the proposal. There would then have to be a second visit and the proposal would be finalized without the girl’s participation. Arrangements would then be made for a third visit, usually done within two to four weeks. During that visit, gifts would be brought for the bride-to-be in order to assure her of happiness with her future husband. Also at that visit, which usually lasted all day, many family members would be invited to participate and they’d gather at the girl’s house. During the morning, there’d be a ritual where all guests held hands showing and promising respect for each other for all time. After that, everyone would eat. My parents would serve caldo,39 rice, beans, pork, chicken, kua, or sometimes escabeche.40 In the afternoon, after various small ad hoc activities, it would be the Cervantez family’s turn to serve food. After everyone had eaten, my parents would announce when the wedding was to take place.

I knew that Nah’ and Taat only wanted the best for me, wanted me to marry as my people did, but I had to argue against everything they had planned. I told them that Molly and I had already decided to get married, when we would get married, and also that there was no way we could do the usual process dictated by our people’s marriage system. They lived in Santa Cruz, and the Cervantez family lived all the way in Belize City. I thought we had a lot of problems with the Cervantez family, but I was surprised at how adamant my parents were, especially Taat. They finally relented when I told them that the wedding would be held in Santa Cruz and that, really, there was nothing they could do about the unusual way our wedding was planned. They falteringly accepted and then became happily concerned about the preparations.

My village of Santa Cruz was nestled in small rolling hills covered with jungle, rivers and streams, beautiful wild flowers, and wildlife. Just over a hundred persons lived in my village and most of them were Mopan,41 but I was Ke’kchi.42 Nah’ and Taat certainly didn’t increase the Ke’kchi population by much. They kept our family to four. Most families among my people number about twelve. I didn’t believe Taat knew about spence bags43 or would have even used them if he did know. Maybe Nah’ just drank too much ki-bix44 or, perhaps, Ix Chel45 must have simply said, "No more pikni."46

The Santa Cruz Creek ran through the western part of my village, a small bridge crossing it. Although the bridge was unlike one that would have been built in Pusilhá47 by my ancient people, that day it was decorated with crepe paper flowers. There were two waterfalls. One was in the village itself and the other along the nearby Rio Blanco River.48 Also running through my village was the San Antonio - Santa Elena Road. That day, unusually, there were several small trucks, buses, and pick-up trucks parked along it. One would have thought that it was the Third of May, the village’s feast day.

Santa Cruz was first an alkilo, which meant that, at one time, my people lived in the jungle, far from each other. It was not until 1950 that my people formed a village, elected an Alcalde, and placed a Catholic crucifix in the one church confirming that the village was Catholic. It seemed, however, that the priests who came after Father Stiobhan were not able to keep out other denominations as now we also had Mennonites, Protestants, Church of Christ, and Baptists. Of course, we had villagers who did not associate themselves with any of the churches, but it was no wonder that only a few of my people’s ancient religious traditions were now practiced.

Santa Cruz stretched along the San Antonio-Santa Elena Road for about two miles. Most of the houses were in the southwestern area of the village and the others were more sparsely spaced in the central and northeastern sections. Because of its size, its traditions, its remoteness, we did not often have visitors. That day, however, the population was significantly increased. Every house was packed with family, friends, and strangers, all gathered for one reason. That day was the day that Molly Cervantez would become Mrs. Eutimio Chiac, my wife.

After breakfast, I drifted about alone. I looked at my village, my hills cradling it within the arms of my alive and green jungle. I reflected on how afraid I was when I considered asking Molly to marry me, even though I firmly believed that she would have said Yes. It was not that I was cock-sure, but I held onto the belief that if she didn’t want to marry me, she would not have left the Daughters of Charity in France where she was a Seminary Sister. Her coming back to our country fully convinced me that she had chosen to come back to me, to be my wife.

I walked and looked around and saw the joy and anticipation in the faces of my villagers as they did the final preparations for my wedding. The entire village was invited and, of course, they had invited their friends and families. As the villagers were providing almost everything, that was okay, and it was going to be a great spree. I was very happy. Sergeant E. Chiac was very happy.

A couple army tents had been erected at the southern end of the village. I had wanted to be near my buddies in arms so I was given a nearby hut to use. Of the section, which was under my command, seven of us were directly partaking in my wedding. My 2IC49 was Cpl. Pascascio E. who we called Pas, for short. Among the others was my cousin Pte. Choco L., my Best Man Pte. Rhys C., and Pte. Teul T. whom I knew somewhat personally. I was sergeant in the platoon Teul had been assigned to after ‘Intake’ and he had managed to stick onto me, not something that I allowed to happen very often. Perhaps it was because he was from Crique Jute and when he joined-up he seemed so lost that I didn’t ignore his obvious pleas; so, I took him under my wings. It was not that I was soft on him. At times, I wondered if I were not too hard on him. Yet, he always pulled through. The other two soldiers participating were LCpl. Gongora V. and Pte. Valentine J. We also had two additional soldiers who were responsible for guarding our equipment thus making us a complement of nine. Last night was the section’s party for me and we drank until they had to carry me to my hut. I gazed at the tents. They were quiet and I didn’t see any activity, but I knew the men weren’t asleep. Pas probably had them somewhere, sweating off the alcohol.

Molly’s friends and family were also in Santa Cruz, hosted by Alcalde and Mrs. Cucul and their relatives, some of whom the Alcalde booted out of their rooms to make space for the visitors. Other guests were being housed in San Antonio and Punta Gorda.50

Among our invitees was Father Stiobhan and I didn’t know why Nah’ invited him and why he even bothered to come all the way from the States; but he was in Santa Cruz and he was going to officiate at the wedding. I was dumbfounded when Nah’ told me as I had no idea that Nah’ had any contact with him. He was a young priest I often met in San Antonio when I was a child as he was in charge of the school and church there. Suddenly, one day he was gone and I had never heard of him again until I was informed by Nah’ that he would be part of my wedding. My wedding! I still felt resentment towards him for having taken me out of my jungle and Taat’s kool and placing me into that school at San Antonio. I shook my head. Perhaps I should get rid of that resentment. I had grown up a lot and I had much to be thankful for, including Father Stiobhan’s insisting that I went to school. Another person I was thankful for was Magistrate Longsworth who saved my ass by sending me into the military instead of prison when I was a foked-up51 man-bwai.52 I was still pretty foked-up, but since meeting Molly Cervantez I had been trying very hard to change. I thought I was succeeding, if only a little bit at a time. I kicked at a clump of grass. I would have to do much better for I was a Ke’kchi soldier from Santa Cruz marrying a beautiful and wonderful Kriol gyal53 from a prominent Belize City family. That did not happen very often.

I loved the memory of the Hidden Valley Falls, but it was a clouded memory surrounded by dangers and horrors I didn’t wish to remember; so, very often, I had to put that beautiful memory away. Yet, at times, I forced myself to think only of the beauty in that night. Soon after, however, other memories would come rushing in, blown in by the wicked winds of Etzelal Iq’,54 and I would be torn from the beauty of the Hidden Valley Falls and Ox Witz Ha55 and plunged into the dangers of that dark and perilous time Molly and I had been forced to journey through.

The day was warm, above eighty degrees, and as I walked around I was very aware of the stink of my sweat … beer sweat. The villagers had not allowed me to do anything much. It seemed they just wanted me to marry Molly Cervantez, enjoy the spree, get my wife into bed, put Tóolok56 to work, and that was that.

Before lunch I had played football57 with the men from the section, Taat, and some of the village boys. I loved football and was a member of the army’s football team. The men from the section insisted I play for the last time as a single man, also reminding me that the sweating would help me get rid of the tremendous goama58 I had as a result of the party they gave me the night before. It did work and I felt much better.

After the game, I returned to my hut. That’s when I had lunch, the bull balls bollo, being observed and ridiculed by my men. After eating I threw myself on the mud floor, resting a little. I got up shortly after and stepped out into the blistering sun and my eyes drifted to the Honeymoon Hut. I walked over and stood just outside of the doorway of the medium sized hut where Molly and I would be spending our first night together as man and wife. Actually, I was not supposed to be there. It was considered bad luck for me to go into or look into the hut until that night; but then I am Eutimio Chiac. I pulled aside the heavy woven colorful curtain and peeped inside. I shook my head. Sergeant Chiac peeping. All it contained was a bed covered with a white bed sheet on which was embroidered beautiful birds and flowers. I knew that the sheet had been made by the women of the village as part of the village’s participation in our wedding.

The hut, inside and out, was decorated with large white and blue flowers, joined with green vines and leaves, all made from crepe paper Molly had chosen. Blue was our wedding color as it represented the Virgin Mary, Mother Of God. I pondered how strange life was. Mother Of God was also Bas’ Goddess. She was also Molly’s. I moved away from Bas and the thoughts of the tragedy that surrounded his death, and looked at the white bed-sheet and I had to smile. I am sure that the women of Santa Cruz expected to find it stained red in the morning. Well, they wouldn’t. Tóolok had already seen to that. I smiled again, shaking my head. Molly, my wife to be, was something else. We had fucked … made love as I am supposed to say … at the Hidden Valley Falls all night. After that, kaput! Mixba’al!59 Not even a little rub. Even after she had agreed to marry me, she had given Tóolok nothing. She simply told me that I had to wait, that I must live during our period of abstinence only with the memory of the night at the Hidden Valley Falls. I did. Well, my wait was just about fokin60 over and Tóolok was ready.

Fighting to keep my mind off the horrors Molly and I faced just a year ago, I left the honeymoon hut. Also, if any of the women caught me at the hut, especially Nah’, I would get a proper scolding, probably a few hits with a pestle on the back as well.

A bucket of water had been placed in my hut for me to bathe, but, not wanting to bathe out of a bucket for my wedding, I took a pikaado61 down to the nearby Rio Blanco River. The trail was kept clean and as the jungle canopy was somewhat thick, the nearby jungle floor was sparse in foliage. I soon approached the brightness of the open space of the river and the cleared bankside. There the villagers collected water, washed cloths, swam, fished, the nearby banks covered with bushes and trees, their limbs hanging over the water. There were several a’kl62 trees and a large pixoy or kaak batam63 as it was called in Kriol. Waha64 leaves were plentiful and tiny white flowers dotted many of the shrubs. There was even a sha-an65 palm. That was unusual as it was scarce, being the preferred palm for thatching. I supposed Alcalde Cucul had something to do with its preservation.

Illustration 2: The Honeymoon Hut.

I walked the bankside towards the waterfall, listening to its cascading water. My jungle was beautiful … very beautiful and I loved it. The soldiers were in the river, some standing in the waterfall, so I stripped on the bank and got in, swimming long even strokes whenever the depth allowed me. Of course, I immediately became the focus of many jokes, the men warning me that I mustn’t exert myself too much or I wouldn’t be able to perform my duties that night. After about half-an-hour, and after assuring the men that Tóolok would be able to take care of things, I climbed the rocky bank and put on my cloths.

As I walked back to Santa Cruz, a dray of squirrels caught my attention and I stopped to look at them. The small animals were on a large limb across from the narrow path where I stood. They were eating small fruits, or nuts, and as I watched them they stopped and stared directly at me. They then looked at each other, began a loud chatter while their long bushy tails danced behind them. They looked back at me, repeating the sequence over and over again as if trying to lure me into their chitchat. Occasionally, they stopped to bite at the fruit they held in their paws, but even that seemed hurried, even frantic. I smiled. It looked as if they were discussing me. I was

content. I loved my jungle, but deep from within me came the memories and I shivered as I remembered that other jungle, Sisimito’s jungle.

A mild cool breeze softened the mid-day heat as a paap66 landed on a limb above me and started the most atrocious cries of piam! piam! piam! piam!, moving its body and head in all directions. I bent over, picked up a small rock and threw it at the bird. As the piam-piam flew away, making loud rowdy cries that echoed throughout my jungle, I laughed out loudly, remembering the happy days of my youth … those that took place in my jungle … with my friend Bas.

Hidden xirs were chirping loudly from their leafy shelters and flitting butterflies abounded flying up, down, forward, and, at times, in growing circles. I smiled again and was about to resume my slow walking when I noted that the jungle was becoming unusually quiet. Sudden changes in the natural noises of the jungle were not to be ignored. It meant something was happening. It could have just been my presence, but it could also occur because a predator had walked into the area. The squirrels dropped their fruits and disappeared into the underbrush that lined the pikaado as one last piam! piam! piam! piam! cry came from the distance. The xirs were silent and the butterflies were flying upward and disappearing into the canopy, hiding their colors among the overgrowth’s varied hues, choosing to hide from the secrets of my jungle. The mild cool breeze was becoming a cold reaching dampness. I heard dry leaves on my jungle floor crackling, being crushed, and, once again, koal seed rushed over my body.

Loud laughter burst along the pathway and the normal sounds of the jungle quickly returned. The soldiers who had been swimming with me appeared racing down the pikaado towards the village, still undressed, their cloths in their hands. Hurry up, Sarge, or you’ll be late for your own wedding, shouted Private Rhys, leading the others who were trying their best to catch up and pass him. As Choco and Teul rushed past me, they did high handless summersaults in my honor.

Get your fokin uniforms on before you hit the village, I shouted.

Sorry, Sarge, shouted Teul. We’re streaking right through. He reminded me so much of Bas, but, if it were Bas, he would be running way ahead of them.

I shook my head wondering at Alacalde Cucul’s response to a group of naked soldiers running through his village. I did feel the urge to run along with them, but decided against it as I already had my bath and I wouldn’t go to my wedding smelling sweaty. So, I just shouted encouragement to the stragglers and continued my slow walk towards Santa Cruz and my future as a husband, and, one day, a taat, a father.

The activity in Santa Cruz had increased. The musicians were setting up the marimba in the Central Plaza near the ceiba tree, or yaxché, where the reception was to be held. On a nearby table were drums, flutes including the chirimia67 or double-reed flute, and rattles. There would also be a guitar and violin combo, including a harp and a bass. Several beautifully painted ceremonial masks lay on another table. Santa Cruz was going all out and I was crying. Bas was not with me. He should have been, but he was no longer with me and tough Sergeant E. Chiac was fokin crying.

I walked into my hut where a towel and my wedding clothes lay on a small table. I stripped and rubbed down even though I had dried off after the walk from the river. Even our wedding clothes had been an issue for the Cervantez family; they wanted me in a suit and I had never worn a suit in my life. I simply told them, No! I was going to dress as my ancient people did. They then tried to get me to dress in my soldier’s uniform. I again said, No! For Molly, it was an even bigger battle. The Cervantez family wanted her to marry in a typical white wedding dress with a long train, and a veil covering her face symbolizing her virginity. She refused and told them that she would wear what she wished. She, nevertheless, assured them that the dress would be beautiful, but no train, no veil. Of course, she didn’t say anything about Tóolok having taken care of the virginity issue. I had wondered, however, if she had indeed refused to wear the veil because of the night at the Hidden Valley Falls, or if were just a personal choice. I soon tossed that query aside. It was not important. Perhaps, it was just that a veil didn’t go along with what she was going to wear and I had no idea what that was as she consistently refused to tell me what kind of dress she had in mind. She told me that I would see her dress when we were actually getting married, not before. I simply accepted, but grumbled that I hoped it would match my clothes. Oh, Eutimio Chiac! What a piece of fok you are!

Yes! Last night was my farewell party given by my fellow soldiers who had come for my wedding. I had chosen a bar in San Antonio, that village being about five miles from Santa Cruz. The road was only a truck pass, but as it was not the rainy season it wasn’t too bad. The bar was a place Bas and I used to visit quite regularly and I wanted to go there, knowing that the memories I had would make him a part of the party. I had planned to behave myself, not drink too much, but that was difficult when a bunch of soldiers were having a party for you, especially one celebrating your last night as a single man. I had planned to drink only ten or twelve beers, but with Rhys and Pas68 opening the bottles for me, I must have had a case. There was even a tape recorder playing the latest music though Teul kept insisting that he only wanted to hear harp and marimba. I didn’t worry too much about my drinking for I knew that the men would take care of me and make sure I didn’t get into trouble. There would be no women, and there would be no fighting as they wouldn’t have me getting married with a bruised and swollen face. At some point, I still don’t remember when, I was carried into the transport, brought back to Santa Cruz, and dumped on the floor of my hut.

Well, I had pretty much gotten rid of the goama and just wanted some rest before I walked the plank. I threw myself into the hammock, knowing that none of the women from the village would come in the hut and find me sleeping naked. Perhaps one or two of the soldiers would come to check on me, but that didn’t matter. They were my buddies, my brothers. I dozed and was later awakened by Rhys shaking my arm. He was smiling, dressed in his starched and ironed military uniform. The buckle of his belt, the insignia on his beret, and his boots shone so brightly that they would reflect Kinich’s69 sunbeams back to the god himself, dazzling him.

Time for you to get foked, he grinned. Get dressed. It’s almost time, Sarge, he added as he sat on a stool.

Somehow, during and after the trip to place a plaque on the mountain where my men had died, he and I had become friends. Bas was no longer with me and after Molly had gone to France, I was lost. I really needed a friend. Rhys stepped in and took that place for which I was very grateful. So, he was my Best Man. I looked at him.

Rhys.

Yes, Sarge.

I chuckled. When we’re alone or not really active, call me Eutimio or Chiac. We are friends enough.

He grinned, again. I prefer Stephen. He laughed.

If it weren’t you I’d boot your ass. Rhys laughed even louder. I don’t use that name anymore.

I know. Just teasing, Chiac. It’ll take some getting used to not to call you Sarge all the time. I’ll slip now and again. Rhys chuckled. Come on. Get dressed. You can’t get fokin married naked. The music has already begun.

Call me Stephen again and I’ll call you Cornelius.

Rhys snickered loudly. I hate that fokin name. I still can’t understand where the fok my parents found that one. Anyway, time to go.

I got out of the hammock and looked at my wedding outfit laid out on a small table. I put on the head band which was decorated with sea shells, corn grains, and small colorful feathers: white from the cot70, blue, brown, and yellow from the kuts71. Pink plumes from the spoonbill,72 and red ones from the ix-oop73 topped the band. I would wear no shirt. There were three necklaces and I placed them around my neck. Two were made with sea shells, one was a thin cowhide string carrying a kitam tusk pendant. I was already wearing Bas’ worn Green Scapular stained with blood … Bas’ blood. I secured my loincloth which had large flaps to just above my knees, front and back, held in place by a very narrow waist band. It carried a little too much embroidery for me, but as it were the villagers who had made it, there was nothing I could or would have done about it. The loincloth was not very authentic, the cloth passing between my legs bulkier than needed, being there just to hold Tóolok in place, making sure that Tóolok didn’t take a peek at the wedding guests … not that I would’ve cared. It had been made for easy dressing, definitely not like the ones I had used at Ox Witz Ha. I next put on two wide ankle bracelets, decorated with sea shells. I was getting married barefooted.

The village’s cooperation for my wedding was tremendous. Every villager, whether man, woman, or child, was involved. I wondered at that for, really, I was not a very popular person in the village. Things had been quieter since my return from the Cockscomb Basin and our people were generally forgiving, but I had come to believe their participation was more for Molly than for me. It was an opportunity for the villagers, in their own way, to make up for what happened on Molly’s first visit to Santa Cruz.

I looked at Rhys, perhaps for approval. He shook his head, smiling, as if in disbelief. I suppose you are the first soldier to marry dressed in Maya robes. You’re almost handsome.

I laughed, then, suddenly, unbelievingly, I started to cry again. My memories had jolted me violently, and far in the mountains I could hear the cries, Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Ke’kchi! Ke’kchi! Ke’kchi!74

Rhys put his arms around me, for he understood. As our friendship grew, I told him some of what had happened in the Cockscomb Basin. I always wondered if he believed me. Dry those fokin tears, Chiac, and let’s go, he grunted. Can’t have a crying groom. That’s for your mother-in-law. He smiled. You’ve got a fokin mother-in-law now. You’ll have to walk straight. It was my turn to smile. "I wonder if she’ll be crying with

happiness, he continued, or crying for Molly because she’s marrying a no-good fok?"

Fok you! 1 retaliated.

We left the hut, blinking because of the bright sun, and continued to the northeastern end of Santa Cruz where the villagers and guests who would form the wedding procession were congregating. The guitar and violin combo was playing, getting ready to lead the procession to Uch Ben Cah. My fellow soldiers, fully uniformed and very smart looking, were marching quite briskly through the village as they made their way towards the gathering. There’re ready for us, commented Rhys.

Rhys and I walked across the Central Plaza towards the San Antonio Road and then along the pikaado leading to Uch Ben Cah where we were going to await the wedding procession’s approach. Clay incense burners offering incense of the Sacred pom and naba of the copal75 lined the way on both sides. Tutz76 fronds covered the narrow pathway and villagers were already lining it.

There was an open area, a courtyard, at the base of the still unexcavated temple and some villagers were standing there, watching us as we approached. The underbrush had been cut, leaving only the tall trees that grew on the temple ruin. Although excavated and rebuilt temples displayed the magnificent architecture and skills of my ancient people, they weren’t alive; just dead stones. A mound covered with trees and bushes was alive. I did not need to have the flora of my jungle cut away for me to see what was beneath. I always hoped that as our cities were unearthed, some would be left the way they were found.

We climbed the first of the three tiers, about twenty feet high, and walked towards a stone altar made from pieces of broken square cut stones that littered the mound. It must have been done some time ago by the villagers as vines were growing on it. To my left was a long low wall, also made from similar stones. Rhys and I stood to the right of the altar looking down at the trail we had just come through.

The altar was plain, definitely not traditional, but it was part of Uch Ben Cah and my people. I loved it. A small statue of Mary, Mother Of God, was at the groom’s side, my side, along with a bouquet of blue pussy flowers.77 I grinned at the appropriateness or inappropriateness of those flowers at my wedding ceremony. Fronds of ek-chi-chan78 were scattered on the table. Again, I grinned at the appropriateness or inappropriateness. The English name for ek-chi-chan was ‘maiden-hair fern’ and it was used by my people in the long-gone days to decorate ceremonial altars. It also had a special meaning to me. When I fuc … made love to Molly at the Hidden Valley Falls, it was on a bed of ek-chi-chan I had laid her.

A small clay pot with burning incense was at each of the four corners of the altar. Each was of a different color. According to my people, four gods held up the sky. Those were the Bacabs. The story was that the Bacabs were originally one deity named Bacab, the son of Itzamná79 and Ix Chel who was the Moon Goddess. He was not satisfied with being a single god and split himself into four entities who became the four gods of the cardinal points of the compass. Those four spiritual subsidiaries now stood at the four corners of the world making sure that directions always pointed where they were supposed to. Can-Tzicnal was North and liked White. Hozanek was South and preferred Yellow. Hobnil was East and favored Red. Zac-Cimi was West and was keen on Black. I shook my head. I definitely could not visualize the world with four Eutimio Chiacs.

Father Stiobhan was standing behind the altar, wearing the traditional dress selected for the wedding. I glanced at him and he smiled. I just couldn’t smile back. I was still very puzzled at how and why Nah’ made arrangements for him to be at my wedding. She refused to tell me why and after a while I decided not to try to find out anymore. She did tell me, however, that he was no longer a priest, but still had his marriage license in British Honduras. That was also a big problem for the Cervantez family as they wanted, not only a priest, but the Most Reverend Bishop of British Honduras to marry us. When they found out that Father Stiobhan was no longer a ‘Father’, they were absolutely distressed, accusing me of arranging an unholy marriage where no mass could be said. Why me? But Nah’ insisted and Molly agreed. That I found strange because of Molly’s Roman Catholic background, but I must add that Molly and Nah’ were becoming very kaskas.80 They were everywhere together and I thanked the Lord. That was good.

Mrs. Cucul, in a beautiful huipil and wearing a variety of jewelry, was at the other side of the altar along with Superintendent of Police, Richard Robertson, and his Mrs. The superintendent was dressed in his khaki uniform and wore a scabbarded pistol at his side. I wondered, momentarily, why a gun at my wedding, but decided that it must be part of his uniform protocol. His Mrs. wore a wide floral dress reaching down to her ankles, a red hat with a bobby net looking veil across her upper face, matching red shoes, and light-colored stockings. She also wore red gloves and I couldn’t help thinking about her curtseying as one of the contestants at the ‘Queen of the Bay’ contest we had for the Tenth Day of September Celebrations.81

I felt koal seed as I heard music approaching. I never understood why, but