Page:The Annals of the Cakchiquels.djvu/43

Rh of another. Another title, mentioned by Xahila, is ahpopachi; the last word means man, vir.

A third article, which distinguished the higher classes, was the seat or stool on which they sat during solemn ceremonies. This was called ꜫaalibal, an instrumental noun from the verb ꜫal, to be visible or prominent; persons so seated being elevated above, and thus distinguished from others; from this the verbal form, ꜫalel, was derived, meaning "he who is prominent," etc., or, more freely, "illustrious," "distinguished." The title ahpop-ꜫalel meant, therefore, originally "he who is entitled to a mat and a stool," that is, in the council chamber of his town.

Another official connected with the council was the orator appointed to bring before it the business of the day. His title was ah uchan, from ucheex, to speak; and it is translated by Spanish writers, the "rhetorician, orator." A similar personage, the ah tzih vinak, "the man of words," was in