Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
are the product of a mass exodus from the Yucatán cities or a new group from the Tol-
tec heartland in the Gulf of Mexico. In any case, their arrival in the Guatemalan highlands
signaled a transition from the existence of relatively peaceful, religious village societies to
ones increasingly secular and warlike.
Quickly establishing themselves as a ruling elite, the Toltec invaders founded a series
of competing empires including the K'iche', Kaqchikel, Tzutujíl, Mam, Ixil, Achi', and
Q'eqchi',amongothers.Interestingly,theseandothertribesencompassingthehighlandin-
digenous groups continue to form the basis for today's cultural landscape, with differenti-
ation based on their individual dialects.
Amongthesetribes,theK'iche'andKaqchikelemergedasdominantforces,arivalrythe
conquering Spanish would later use to their advantage. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish,
the highland region was engulfed in a widespread power struggle between rival groups for
cultivable land to feed an increasing population.
a finely carved hieroglyphic bench from Piedras Negras
