Description
Memorial of Sololá
Book Summary
The Memorial of Sololá, also known as the Annals of the Kaqchikels, is a foundational manuscript for understanding the history and worldview of the Kaqchikel Maya people. Originally written by Francisco Hernández Arana Xajilá and continued by his grandson Francisco Rojas, this document chronicles the mythical origin of their people, their migrations, the establishment of their lordships, and the impact of the Spanish Conquest. Divided into a legendary section and a historical one, the work offers a unique vision from an indigenous perspective, combining foundational myths with a detailed chronological record of events, lineages, and conflicts.
What is it about?
The work begins with the story of the origin of the Kaqchikel people, describing their arrival from across the sea to the legendary Tulan, the center of diffusion for the civilizations of Mexico and Guatemala. It then narrates the organization of the seven warrior tribes and their migration southward in search of the valleys where they would eventually settle and prosper.
The text is structured in two clearly differentiated parts. The first, mythological in nature, addresses creation, ancestral lineages, and family traditions. The second, more historical and chronological, details the events between the various indigenous lordships, including the Iximché Revolution and the process of the Spanish Conquest. The manuscript, begun in 1560 and concluded in 1604, is a direct testimony of the Kaqchikel collective memory and their effort to preserve their history in the face of their changing world.
Main themes
- Worldview and mythology of the Kaqchikel Maya people.
- Migrations and the origin of Mesoamerican civilizations.
- Genealogy, lineages, and social organization of the indigenous lordships.
- Chronological history of the Kaqchikels, including the Iximché Revolution.
- The impact of the Spanish Conquest narrated from an indigenous perspective.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and scholars of history, anthropology, and Mesoamerican studies, as well as readers interested in pre-Columbian cultures and primary sources of indigenous America. It will also be of great value to those seeking to understand the cultural resistance and the transmission of historical memory of native peoples.
What this book offers
- Direct access to one of the most important indigenous chronicles of Guatemala, comparable to the Popol Vuh.
- An internal, non-colonial perspective on the history and conquest of the Maya peoples.
- Understanding of the foundational myths and social organization of Kaqchikel culture.
- A historical document that connects oral tradition with chronological records.
Technical specifications
- Author: Various Authors
- Publisher: Linkgua Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Classic texts
- Collection: Religion
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: May 2025
- Number of pages: 210
- Weight: 170 g
Editorial review
The Memorial of Sololá is a primary source of incalculable value for the study of Mesoamerican history. Its nature as a chronicle written by the Kaqchikels themselves offers a perspective that complements and enriches the accounts of Spanish chroniclers. The Linkgua Ediciones edition facilitates access to this classic text in a practical format, making it an essential addition to any history and anthropology library of the Americas.