To My Readers:
The musings of Saq Kuk is a fictional account based on an
actual trip with Maya Expeditions into the El Mirador Basin in the
Maya Biosphere Reserve and the National Parks of Guatemala. The
Maya names are taken from various Classic and Late Classic hieroglyphic
texts and in no way represent shared lineage with these esteemed
peoples. As horses were not present in the Western hemisphere during
the Maya reign, the spider monkey was substituted for the actual
horse patient which we aided in performing minor surgery. The obsidian
blade was the scalpel and forceps from the first aide kit and the
secret balm was good old betadine wash and then applications of
neosporin and a Japanese wound healing balm supposedly made from
snake. We did not perform a ritual vapor bath but would have loved
too!!! The singing was performed at our camp at El Mirador. Analisa
is a fine opera singer and a wonderful music teacher. No archaeological
evidence points to the city of La Florida being a workshop for obsidian.
Literary licence is used here to aid with the flow of the script.
I hope you enjoy it as much as i enjoyed writing it and "acting"
it out.
Cast of Characters:
Saq Kuk / Sac Kuk (White Quetzal) - Tammy Ridenour
King Anab Pakal - Robert Dillingham
Uaxuakip Kin (8 Flower/Sun) - Analisa Dillingham
Yaxkin Caan Chac(Night Sun Sky God)The General - Carlos Aldana
Lady Batz (Monkey Lady) - Forestal at Nakbe - Chacuta
Chan Balam - Don Chepe Jose Crasborn
Lady Unial - Marina Cruz the cook
Shaman Alex "El Doctor" Machuca
Yich' Aak K'ak (Fiery Claw) - Elmer Machuca
Chak Tok Ich'aak (Jaguar Paw) - Mynor Machuca
Spider Monkey patient - Horse of guards at Nakbe
Brave Warriors - Forestales of El Mirador
The Musings of Saq Kuk
18 of April, 2001
8.8.17.19.16 (398 BC )
Another morning awaiting the final journey to my destiny with King
Anab Pakal. Here at Nakbe is the first time that I can sit and write.
We have been on the road without a rest since La Florida. Ah, my
lovely home. I wonder if I will ever get to see it again? Will I
ever get to hold my baby brother, Aj Cacao (Hasaw S.), so sweet
is his smile. Thank Itzamn'a, that my little sister, Uaxuakip Kin
is with me. I feel nervous enough without her familiar face and
her beautiful singing voice to calm me.
The journey has been long and tiring, even with my General seeing
to my litter. The heat is overwhelming. Fortunately, the bugs that
my mother told me about are less, the sand flies that carry the
dreaded Mosca Chiclero, are hardly about, although taking my first
water bath today in three days, exposed my flesh to their wicked
bites. I must bath other times than at dusk. The purification ritual
of tomorrow will be an added plus. The hot vapor seems unbearable
but afterwards the cleanliness and freshness one feels is indescribable.
I was happy to have been able to pay a short visit to the dignitaries
of Wakna. Without their help, our alliance with El Mirador may just
have stayed the fantasy of my aunt. Compared to our La Florida it
towers towards the heavens. What a Grand pyramid. The Stars that
night were beautiful. A very auspicious beginning! It is raining
tonight which gives us some respite from the heat. Even though this
has been a lucky time and not as bad as other years. Everything
points to a very favorable reunion joining El Mirador and La Florida.
Let us hope this will cement our relation for years to come.
19 of April, 2001
8.8.17.19.17
What a Grand morning. Our shaman was able to help cure their Queen's
Nahual, the spider monkey. It had accidentally impaled itself on
a sharp stick and was sick from the 2 month old wound. Our extra
obsidian blades did the trick so that the object could be removed.
Now with our secret helaing balm it is sure to be alright. Lady
Batz, was so pleased with our help that she brought me around the
entire city personally. The wonders of such a Great City!!! The
ball court is suitable for hundreds of spectators. And the residence!
Lovely Large beds!! The walls are formidable with beautiful architecture.
They had readied the beer in the chultun for my arrival. What pleasure
it will be to partake of some tonight with her Lady. She says that
after, we will climb the great pyramid together to await the rising
of the Goddess Ixchel. The priests have said that venus will be
in line with her goddess or rather the sliver of her goddess she
shows us now. Just two more days until the period ending ceremony
at La Danta. I hope my nerves don't fail me. Will I be able to keep
all night vigil tonight with her Lady? She seems so sweet. Surely
she will allow one like me of 11 years a catnap during the night.
Or did my aunt indulge me so much??? Will I truly make a King's
wife??? I have few days left to find out.
20 of April, 2001
8.8.17.19.18
The parrots awoken me this sunrise from atop of the pyramid. I find
this very auspicious as they are feathered friends of my nahual,
the quetzal. Today we walk to El Mirador. The sakbe from the top
of the pyramid seemed to go on forever towards the immense structure
of La Danta. How will I ever be able to keep some of my independence
in such a city state? Will the king allow my indulgences of hunting
as my father? Surely, he will see that my Knapp abilities far outweigh
the need for me to only do women's work. La Florida's skill with
the stone runs in my blood as well. I am so glad that my father
choose me to teach me the ancient arts. My brother will too in time
but he is only a baby. Our family couldn't wait until his birth
to pass on our family tradition. Surely that is the main reason
for this wedding and that the king will look favorable upon my continuing
to use the stones I knapp?!?!?!
Oh, Itzamna, What a GRAND city!! I never knew, never would have
thought that it would be so BIG!!! At the foot of La Danta, one
can't even see the top nor glimpse the corners off in the distance.
I feel awed to know I will be a part of the period ending ceremony
in just two days. It takes a half of an hour just to walk to our
place of rest close by the pyramid of EL Tigre. Thank Itzamn'a,
for my General, Yax Kin Caan Chac, and his bearers. I surely would
take longer to hike through the hilly acropolis. Oh, and the steles
along the way. We will show our respects to the elders there before
our final ritual at La Danta. NO, it is for after the ceremony.
Oh, how will I ever remember it all!!! Now I must rest and conserve
my energies.
21 of April, 2001
8.8.17.19.19
I am so excited! Today I do my first blood ritual ceremony on the
top of El Tigre. My little sister will be there to assist. Oh, I
do hope she can sing for me tonight. A Toucan Aracari alights close
by to greet us this morning. What better sign that all will go well.
Feathered friends help me in my journeys. The spider monkeys throwing
us the delicious fruit of the Chico Zapote surely means that Lady
Batz of Nakbe is sending me her good tidings. I stand at the base
of El Tigre after paying respects to the masks at structure #34.
What a beautiful site. My General has thought of everything and
has placed rope along the stairs to aid me. As always he outdoes
himself. I hope he will find it comfortable here and be happy in
our new home. The prick of my finger on the very top was painless.
I fear that will not be the case when I show off our beautiful obsidian
blades tomorrow to be used at La Danta! Yet, it must be done. La
Florida is know by hundreds of leagues for their wondrous workings
of obsidian. My great, great, great ancestor traveled from afar
carrying the knowledge and stones with him years ago, to settle
and form La Florida. Uaxuakip Kin showed great fortitude in assisting
me. She will one day also bring fame to our family name. I am always
fascinated to watch how the blood boils, even while on paper, when
put to the flame of the candle. Such a miraculous liquid. I hope
we will be successful in Calling the jaguar tonight at the aguada.
That would add so much to an already auspicious occasion. I must
hurry and return to instruct Lady Uinal how to prepare the lunch.
So much preparation is needed.
22 of April, 2001
8.9.0.0.0.
The BIG DAY!!! Today I will meet King Anab Pakal. My sisters singing
last night was beautiful. Although the tigrerra didn't work well
as it needs more hair for the call, the stories of the jaguar encounters
by our brave warriors supplemented to the ambience. The heavens
are a beautiful blue and today at the aguada a light blue and emerald
green hummingbird greeted me. I am sure all will go well. Directly
after the last smoke from the burning allspice leaves had gone out,
a swarm of bees ascended from the platform below. They rose up like
a cloud of smoke and whisked off towards Nakbe, to the southeast.
Oh, Itzamna! Does this mean my reign here will be a good one!??
Am I to rule the hive with strong tenderness?? King Anab Pakal had
a swift hand in the slicing of my finger with our beloved obsidian.
All is very auspicious. My General supplied a wonderful fire to
which I could burn my life blood and my little sister witnessed
it all for her future reigns. Glorious Ixchla and beautiful Quetzal!
I am very happy.
Chan Balam has been successful in finding the blond legged scorpions.
Now, it will be easy to make our secret healing balm. My wounds
will heal swiftly. Especially as he also caught a mother scorpion
with three babies on her back. Their crushed bodies makes splendid
healing balm. Lady Uinal, Yich' aak k'ak, and Chak Tok Ich' aak
had gathered together a brilliant display of the orchids we found
along the trail in the days before. It never ceases to amaze me
how Lady Uinal's trained eye can harvest the correct flower with
the exact colors to match the portal openings represented by the
cardinal points and the center of all, the Sacred Ceiba tree, connecting
the heavens with the underworld. King Anab Pakal seemed pleased
with the arrangement as well as with my feathers for my headdress.
The plumes of the Oscellated turkey, the different Hawks and the
Curassow were beautiful and made a nice contrast to my Hair.
Days Later. Am I to take as a sign encountering
the river turtle at Nacimiento? Her agitation and constant movement
in preparation of laying her eggs surely means that my conception
of an heir for King Pakal will be forthcoming. Oh, Itzamna, I am
truly blessed. As too the appearance of the Purple Fairy Hummingbird
hovering above our wonder spring at Nacimeinto. What precious waters
which bring forth life even during the dry season. I am positive
they will bring forth new life for our heritage.
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