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English Glossary Ahuakej. In Nahuatl, ‘‘The Lords of the Water.’’ (See Appendix E.) Almuerzo. Spanish term used in Mexico to refer to a late breakfast. Alux. Clay figure brought to life through the ceremonies of traditional Mayan priests and used to protect planted fields and parcels of land. Amole. From the Nahuatl amolli, ‘‘soap’’; foam produced by the maceration of Amarilidacea plants, including Manfreda pringlei rose, Prochnyanthes viridescens, and particularly several varieties of Agave found in northern Mexico: hartmanii, mayoensis, and schotii. Anolar. From the Mayan verb nóol; to hold a candy or seed between the tongue and the hard palate without chewing it. Atole. From the Nahuatl atolli; a thick beverage prepared from corn meal or corn flour dissolved in water and boiled. Auakej. See Ahuakej. Axókotl. From the Nahuatl axococ, ‘‘sour water’’; from texócotl, tejocote in Mexican Spanish, Crataegus mexicana or Crataegus parryana. A drink made from this fruit. Ayate. From the Nahuatl ayatl; a thin cloth made from maguey fiber. Baalam. Mayan name for the jaguar, Felis onca. Also written balam. Banqueta. Spanish term that the Mayas apply to an elongated bench, usually three-legged, used to prepare corn dough and a variety of foods. Bchhenbia. Sierra Zapotec name for cochineal; literally, ‘‘prickly-pear paint.’’ (See cochinilla.) Bejaga. Sierra Zapotec name for Coelogenys paca, an edible rodent well known in Indigenous areas by the name tepescuintle or tepescuincle; from the Nahuatl tepeitzcuintli, ‘‘hill dog.’’ Belsinikche. Alvaradoa amorphoides, a tree that reaches a height of up to 60 feet. Its wood is used to build the traditional thatch-roofed Mayan house, whose walls are made from narrow planks covered with a mixture of earth and shredded hay. Benexidsa. ‘‘Zapotecs of the Corner,’’ in Sierra Zapotec; refers to the northern zone of Ixtlán, known as Xid Zá, ‘‘Zapotec Corner.’’ (See Zapotecs.) Bezelhao. In Sierra Zapotec, ‘‘the wind that begins or moves forward,’’ in reference to the pre-Hispanic concept of a sacred spirit that is ever vigilant and close to humans. Bocoles. Generic name for a typical food of the Huasteca region made from corn, salt, chile, and lard, particularly pork lard; bocoles take the shape of round and thick cakes. Cabañuelas. Spanish term for the system by which Mayan farmers predict the climatic conditions for the twelve months of the new year, by observing the conditions present during each day of the month of January; in Maya, xook k’iin; literally, ‘‘the day count.’’ Calabazo. Lagenaria siceraria: the fruit of this plant, which grows into a variety of shapes, is generally used as a vessel. Capulín. From the Nahuatl capolin; a name applied to several plants of the Mirsinaceae, Tiliaceae, Mirteaceae, and Rosaceae families that produce a spherical, edible fruit measuring 5 to 10 mm in diameter. The most common is the Prunus capuli, a tree that reaches heights of 30 to 45 feet; its small fruit is black or reddish, with a single seed. Casa de la Comisión. Place where fiesta organizers (la Comisión) feed all visitors for the duration of a fiesta. Ceiba. Tree belonging to the Bombacaceae family, particularly Bombax ellipticum and Ceiba aesculifolia; the preeminent tree in Mayan thought and spirituality. Cempasúchil. Marigold flower; Tagetes erecta, a herbaceous plant with uneven leaves, penetrating aroma, and yellow flowers. From the Nahuatl cempoalxóchitl, ‘‘twenty flowers, many flowers’’; also written sempas úchil. Cenote. From the Mayan dzonot; deposits and currents of underground water accessible through openings in the Yucatán Peninsula’s limestone crust. Ch’a’ Cháak. Traditional rain-petitioning ceremony practiced by the Mayas of Yucatán. It is conducted by a 247 248 words of the true peoples jmen or Mayan ritual priest; various foods are placed as offerings on the ceremonial altar. (See Appendix A.) Chäk to’. Tabasco Chontal name for popal (Calathea lutea). Herbaceous plant belonging to the Marantaceae family, usually found in lagoons or marshes. It grows to three feet in height. Its large leaves have a whitish film containing wax on their underside. In Tabasco it is known as popal leaf and is generally used to wrap foods. Chaneques. Magical beings of scant height who inhabit the mountains, forests, and hills. (See Appendix E.) Chikomexóchitl. In Nahuatl, ‘‘seven’’ (chicome) ‘‘flowers’’ (xóchitl). Sacred child who successively is transformed into corn, the sun, and the sustainer of life. Chikomexóchitl-elotlamanalistli. In Nahuatl, ‘‘He who spreads the ears of corn upon the table’’; another of Chikomexóchitl’s...

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