Bonampak painting of Mayan preparations for war, in the VIII century.
Historical documents reveal that Tecum Umam existed, and was described in similar circumstances as these historical paintings demonstrate. Another source on Tecum Umam is in Citizendium.
From this other source we get:
``The dance reenacts the invasion led by Alvarado and the conquest of Guatemala.[9] It opens in Utatlán, the capital of the K'iche' kingdom, where Rey K'iche' (the king) receives news of the Spaniards' approach from Montezuma in the distant Aztec capital. Then the king sends his sons and daughters to Xelajuj Noj (Quetzaltenango) to recruit Tecum Umam to lead the army against the approaching foes. The following scenes depict first the K'iche' chieftains and then the Spanish officers swearing allegiance to their leaders and then reach their climax with the battle between Alvarado and Tecum Umam. Echoing the Baile de los Moros, the dance concludes as the "Quiché warriors now peaceably, even rejoicingly, embrace the religion of the hijos del sol."[9]''
My father used to wake us up in the morning, with the poem:
``Arriba Tecum valiente, no temáis al enemigo, recordad que estaís conmigo, que soy Huitzitzil Tz’unun''
My translation:
Get up brave Tecum, do not fear the enemy, remember you are with me, I am Huitzitzil Tz’unun.
This Mayan chief, faced Don Pedro de Alvarado, the warlord sent by Hernán Cortés, to conquer Guatemala.
This note's title is in Maya, it means ``There in Xelajú Tecum Umam.'' Xelajú is Maya for Quetzaltenago, where my father was born.
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