Juan José Hoil (fl. 1782)
The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel
Philadelphia: University Museum, 1913
Chilams were Maya priests who had great expertise in calendric and astronomical matters. The word Balam means Jaguar, and Chilam Balam refers to a priest of that name from Chumayel, who created with other chilams this book of history and prophecy.
This is the first photographic facsimile of the Chilam Balam manuscript compiled in the eighteenth century in Yucatec Maya. It includes poetry, legends, and an account of the Spanish invasion, as well as astronomical and calendric material.
Other books of Chilam Balam exist and are designated by the villages in Yucatán where they were found, such as Maní, Tizimin, and Tusik. Like the Book of the Chilam Balam of Chumayel, their content is related to that in the extant pre-Hispanic Maya codices.
Presented by George E. and Melinda Y. Stuart
Rare Book Collection Stuart F1435 .C53 1913