The Kowoj: Identity, Migration, and Geopolitics in Late Postclassic Petén, Guatemala

Editor(s): Prudence M. Rice; Don S. Rice

Year: 2009

Summary

Neighbors of the better-known Itza in the central Petén lakes region of Guatemala, the Kowoj Maya have been studied for little more than a decade. The Kowoj: Identity, Migration, and Geopolitics in Late Postclassic Petén, Guatemala summarizes the results of recent research into this ethno-political group conducted by Prudence Rice, Don Rice, and their colleagues. Chapters in The Kowoj address the question "Who are the Kowoj?" from varied viewpoints: archaeological, archival, linguistic, ethnographic, and bioarchaeological. Using data drawn primarily from the peninsular site of Zacpetén, the authors illuminate Kowoj history, ritual components of their self-expressed identity, and their archaeological identification. These data support the Kowoj claim of migration from Mayapán in Yucatán, where they were probably affiliated with the Xiw, in opposition to the Itza. These enmities extended into Petén, culminating in civil warfare by the time of final Spanish conquest in 1697. The first volume to consider Postclassic Petén from broadly integrative anthropological, archaeological, and historical perspectives, The Kowoj is an important addition to the literature on late Maya culture and history in the southern lowlands. It will be of particular interest to archaeologists, historians, ethnohistorians, art historians, and epigraphers. Contributors include Leslie G. Cecil, William N. Duncan, Charles Andrew Hofling, Grant D. Jones, Timothy W. Pugh, Don S. Rice, Prudence M. Rice, Rómulo Sánchez Polo, and David Stuart. Included here is the cover page, title page, table of contents and the first chapter entitled "Introduction to the Kowoj and their Petén Neighbors" by Prudence M. Rice and Don S. Rice. The book in its entirety (448 pages) is available from University Press of Colorado.

Cite this Record

The Kowoj: Identity, Migration, and Geopolitics in Late Postclassic Petén, Guatemala. Prudence M. Rice, Don S. Rice. Boulder, Colorado: University Press of Colorado. 2009 ( tDAR id: 374914) ; doi:10.6067/XCV8QZ296R

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

URL: http://www.upcolorado.com/book/The_Kowoj_Cloth


Keywords

Culture
Kowoj Maya

Site Name
Zacpetén

Investigation Types
Archaeological Overview Ethnohistoric Research

General
Identity

Geographic Keywords
Guatemala

Temporal Keywords
Late Postclassic

Spatial Coverage

min long: -92.263; min lat: 15.03 ; max long: -88.462; max lat: 18.104 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Beth Svinarich

File Information

  Name Size Creation Date Date Uploaded Access
kowoj.pdf 3.89mb Feb 24, 2012 12:43:01 PM Public