Kaqchikel

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Kaqchikel (Cakchiquel)
Total population
832,968[1]
Regions with significant populations
Guatemala [2] Chimaltenango Sololá Sacatepéquez
Languages
Kaqchikel, Spanish
Religions
Catholic, Evangelicalist, Maya religion
Related ethnic groups
K'iche', Tzutujil

The Kaqchikel (in modern orthography; formerly also spelled Cakchiquel) are one of the indigenous Maya peoples of the midwestern highlands in Guatemala. Their capital was Iximché, and like the K'iche', they were governed by 4 lords: Tzotzil, Xahil, Tucuché and Acajal, who were responsible for the administrative, military and religious affairs. Iximché, was conquered by the Spaniards in 1524. The Kakchikel recorded their history in the book Annals of the Cakchiquels, also known as Memorial de Sololá. The language is spoken today by 400,000 people. They subsist agriculturally, and their culture reflects a fusion of Maya and Spanish influences. Kaqchikel is also the name of their indigenous language.

Historically, the Kaqchikel were one of several Postclassic highland Maya states conquered by Pedro de Alvarado. At that time, they were the enemies of the neighbouring K'iche' (Quiché) states, and helped the Spaniards to conquer them, The first colonial capital of Guatemala, Tecpán Guatemala, was founded near Iximché on July 25, 1524. On November 22, 1527, after several Kaqchikel uprisings, the capital was moved to Ciudad Vieja, near Antigua Guatemala.

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