Jun’ajpu’ (HOON-ah-POO) one of the hero twins; his brother is Xb’alamkej. These brothers were the second generation of hero twins. They were raised by their mother (Ixkik’) and grandmother. They were really good ballplayers, and one day they played so loudly, the lords of the underworld got annoyed and asked them to come down to Xib’alb’a for a visit (no thanks!). They accepted the invitation and had to face a series of tests and trials. Luckily for them, they were clever and passed each test, eventually avenging their father and uncle, whom the lords of the underworld had killed.
Kab’raqan (kahb-rah-KAHN) Mayan for earthquake; a giant and brother to Sipacna
k’iin (KEEN) Mayan for sun or day
K’ukumatz (koo-koo-MATS) (also known as Kukuulkaan) one of the creator gods. He is said to have come from the sea to teach humans his knowledge. Then he went back to the ocean, promising to return one day. As Kukuulkaan, he is known as the Feathered Serpent. According to legend, he slithers down the steps of the great pyramid El Castillo at Chichén Itzá in Yucatán, México, on the spring and autumn equinoxes; festivals are held in his honor there to this day. El Castillo is definitely a cool—but also hair-raising and bone-chilling—place to visit.
Kukuulkaan (koo-kool-KAHN) see K’UKUMATZ
Mexica (meh-SHEE-ka) a Nahuatl-speaking group of people indigenous to Mexico before the Spanish conquest of the sixteenth century. Now commonly referred to as Aztecs.
Nakon (nah-CONE) god of war
nawal (nah-WAHL) a human with the ability to change into an animal, sometimes called a shape-shifter
saás (sah-AHS) Mayan for light
Saqik’oxol (sock-ee-kh-oh-SHOLE) the White Sparkstriker, a being who lives in the woods, wears a red mask, and dresses entirely in red. The Sparkstriker pounded lightning into the first daykeepers (diviners).
> Sipacna (see-pahk-NAH) an arrogant giant who was killed by the second-generation hero twins when they dropped a mountain on him; according to Maya legend, he killed four hundred boys at once
Tlaltecuhtli (tlah-tek-OOT-lee) the Mexica earth goddess, whose name means the one who gives and devours life
Xb’alamkej (sh-bah-lam-KEH) one of the hero twins; see JUN’AJPU’
Xib’alb’a (shee-bahl-BAH) the Maya underworld, a land of darkness and fear where the soul has to travel before reaching paradise. If the soul fails, it must stay in the underworld and hang out with demons. Yikes!