Cakchiquel language
| Kaqchikel | |
|---|---|
| Kaqchikel Ch'ab'äl | |
| Native to | Guatemala |
| Region | Central Highlands |
| Ethnicity | Kaqchikel |
|
Native speakers
|
(450,000 cited 1990–1998) |
|
Mayan
|
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | |
| Glottolog | kaqc1270 |
The Kaqchikel, or Kaqchiquel, language (in modern orthography; formerly also spelled Cakchiquel or Cakchiquiel) is an indigenous Mesoamerican language and a member of the Quichean–Mamean branch of the Mayan languages family. It is spoken by the indigenous Kaqchikel people in central Guatemala. It is closely related to the K'iche' (Quiché) and Tz'utujil languages.
Kaqchikel is taught in public schools through Guatemala's intercultural bilingual education programs.
Kaqchikel is spoken by the indigenous Maya in Central Guatemala. The Mayan civilization dates back to the Pre-classic period (2000 BC to 300 AD). Geographically, the Maya expanded from Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. This changed between 900 AD and when the Spanish arrived. Their settlement moved west and into the highlands of Guatemala. Archaeological evidence shows suggestions of Kaqchikel living in Iximche’, which today is located near Tecpan, Guatemala.
In 1523, the Spaniards left Mexico and headed towards Guatemala. This crusade was led by Pedro de Alvarado. His first victory was over the K’iche, which led him towards the Kaqchikel capital. The Kaqchikel joined forces with de Alvarado, to take over the Tz’utujiles. Instead, their hopes to become stronger were defeated when de Alvarado turned against them and destroyed their capital, which was a part of the Spanish’s mass extermination plans of the indigenous. This plan decreased the number of Kaqchikel speakers, as they were required to then speak Spanish.
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