GLOSSARY 



The glossary is divided into three parts: the 

 "General" glossary gives the meanings in Pana- 

 jachel of Spanish terms used in the text. The 

 glossaries of plants and animals include in alpha- 

 betical order all but the most common ones men- 

 tioned in the text, whether in English, Spanish, or 

 Indian. Following each term is (1) the Pana- 

 jachel Spanish equivalent of the English name 

 used, if there is a Spanish equivalent; or (2) the 

 Indian equivalent in the International Phonetic 

 Alphabet if the term used is a translation or cor- 

 ruption, and (3) the scientific term. The botan- 

 ical and zoological identifications are taken from 

 Villacorta, 1926— indicated by (V); Mejia, 1927 

 (M); Rojas, 1936 (R); Wisdom, 1940, unpublished 

 addenda, (W), who credits identifications of plants 

 in the Chorti region to Dr. Paul Standley of the 

 Field Museum; and McBryde, 1940 (Mc), most of 

 whose identifications are credited to literary 

 sources, especially Standley, and a few to the 

 University of California herbarium to which he 

 brought specimens. Some animal identifications 

 were taken from signs in the Zoological Park in 

 Guatemala City. 



GENERAL 



Alambique, an aguardiente (hard liquor primarily of sugar) 

 distilled in copper kettles. 



Alcalde, mayor; a civil office, now legally nonexistent in 

 Guatemala, whose functions, administrative and ju- 

 dicial, are now performed by the intendente; in Pana- 

 jachel, the highest annually changing civil office in the 

 Indian hierarchy. 



Alquacil, constable; a civil officer with functions, in a small 

 town like Panajachel, of messenger, laborer, janitor, 

 and policeman. 



Almul (or almud), dry weight measure for grains ranging 

 from 8 to 17 pounds. In Panajachel 12 or 12.5 

 pounds. 



Arroba, a unit of weight equal to 25 pounds. 



Auxiliar, probably short for regidor aiLXiliar, auxiliary 

 regidor; an office in the municipal government. 



Ayudante, or regidor ayundante, assistant to a regidor; an 

 office in the municipal government. 



Banda, woven sash-belt; in Panajachel usually the kind 

 made elsewhere and bought. 

 220 



Barril, a liquid measure equal to 2 demijohns or 22 bottles. 



Caballeria, land measure equal to 64 manzanas or 110.464 

 acres. 



Caites, sandals, usually made of a single sole with attached 

 leather thongs which are passed between the first two 

 toes and around the heel. 



Calz6n, drawers; in Panajachel usually the home-woven 

 and sewed variety. 



Calzoncillo, drawers; in Panajachel a long white variety 

 that approaches trousers in appearance. 



Cedula de vecindad, personal identification pocket booklet,' 

 required by law for every adult and issued by the 

 intendencia. 



Chica, a fermented drink made of panela and a variety of 

 Spanish plums. 



Cinta, ribbon; specifically the long strip worn in the wom- 

 an's hairdress. 



Cofrade, the highest official of a cofradid, and an office in 

 the politico-religious hierarchy. 



Cofradia, confraternity; a group of men, consisting of a 

 cofrade and two or three mayordomos, who have the 

 stewardship of a saint for a year; also, the house of the 

 cofrade where the saint is kept. 



Colono, a laborer living permanently on a plantation. 



Copal, a kind of incense that comes in small disks. 



Corredor, porch of a house, consisting of the space formed 

 by extension of the eave of one side of the house sup- 

 ported by posts. 



Corte, a wrap-around shirt; also, a length of cloth. 



Cuerda, land measure; in Panajachel usually 32 varas 

 square (0.178 acre). 



Culata, annex of a house consisting of an extension using a 

 wall of the original house as one of its walls. 



Faja, woven sash-belt; in Panajachel, usually the home- 

 woven variety. 



Fiscal, treasurer; an office of the religious hierarchy of the 

 Indians. 



Gaban, in Panajachel, a woolen cloak worn by some of the 

 men. 



Galera, a wall-less house structure consisting of a roof sup- 

 ported by posts. 



Habilitador, a labor contractor. 



Huipil, blouse, usually without tailored sleeves. 



Intendente, the highest authority of a municipio, appointed 

 by the President of the Republic. 



Jefe politico, the administrative head of a Department, 

 appointed by the President of the Republic. 



Jefetura, the administrative building or office of the De- 

 partment; office of the jefe politico. 



Juzgado, court of law; town hall, now officially called 

 intendencia instead. 



