[←181]
Stand down: In the Belize Defence Force a soldier normally works a two-week period without weekend liberties. At the end of the two-week period, the weekend days are returned to him/her. It is this block of days of liberty that is referred to as ‘stand down’.
[←182]
Shitninz is Kriol for ‘diarrhea’.
[←183]
Roninz is Kriol for ‘diarrhea’.
[←184]
Physic Nut, Jatropha curcas L., is also known as piñon (Spanish). The dried seeds are ground and boiled to use as a strong purgative, but these can be very toxic if not properly prepared. The sap and leaves are used for other medicinal purposes.
[←185]
Contribo (Spanish) is Aristolochia tribolata L. Other names are duck flower (English), and flor de pato (Spanish). Here in the novel, contribo is being used for flatulence. It will also help Teul as it cleans the urinary tract as well.
[←186]
Xcoch (Mopan) is Ricinus communis L. Other names are castor bean plant, oil nut (English), higuera and ricino (Spanish). The castor bean plant is being used here as a purgative. Of the two forms of this plant found in Belize, the one having the ‘whitish’ branches is said to be preferable for medicinal use. The seeds are extremely poisonous and must be properly heated before ingesting, in any remedy.
[←187]
Jankroa is Kriol for ‘John Crow’, the Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus. Other names are carroñero común and ch’om.
[←188]
Koolnáal is Maya for milpero, one who farms a milpa, a small ‘slash and burn’ farm. Kool is the Maya word for milpa.
[←189]
Koropshan is Kriol for ‘pus’ or ‘corruption’.
[←190]
Toon is Maya for ‘penis’.
[←191]
Jut Jut is the soft hoot hoot call of the Blue-Crowned Motmot, Momotus momota. Jut Jut is its Maya name and ‘good cook’ its Belizean name. It is also known as momoto mayor, toh, or bukpic. Motmots are a family of beautiful birds found only in the tropics.
[←192]
The Wild Cotton Tree is Cochlospermum utifolium.
[←193]
Chacalpec (Mopan) is Salvia coccinea Juss. Ex Murr. Other names are phosforo (Spanish), pasmo and cha-te-pec (Mopan).
[←194]
Wild Sage is Lantana camara L.
[←195]
Tie-tie, Desmoncus schippii, Palmae. is also known as ‘basket tie-tie’ because the vine, once stripped, can be split into strips for basket weaving. This is done by the Maya.
[←196]
Waari (Kriol) Cohune is Astrocaryum mexicanum, Palmae.
[←197]
SLR is a Self-Loading Rifle.
[←198]
Kaxi’ik teech utzil is Maya for ‘Good luck’. Literally, it means ‘May it go well with you’.
[←199]
Ix-chal-che (Mopan) is Pluchea odorata (L.) Cass. Other names are Santa Maria, pito sico (Spanish). There are three shrubs with the name Santa Maria. Ix-chal-che is the female. The male is known as chal-che (Mopan) and is a species of croton. The third is Pothomorphe peltata (L.) Miq. and is known as u-tu-it (Mopan), cowfoot (English). These are woody shrubs, not to be confused with the hardwood tree that can reach a height of 130 ft. The tree, also known as Santa Maria, is Calophyllum antillanum.
[←200]
Bukut (Mopan) is Cassia grandis L. Other names are ‘stinking toe’ (English), carque (Spanish). The dark pod-like fruit is prominent being 11 to 31 inches in length, and foul smelling hence the name ‘stinking-toe’.
[←201]
Rum-p’ok (Ke’kchi) is Spondias radlkoferi Donn.Sm. Other names are hog plum (English), hag plom (Kriol), jobo and ciruela cochino (Spanish), puk (Mopan), kanabak and canabal (Maya).
[←202]
Pokono-bwai (Kriol) is Bactris major, Palmae. Another name is kokono bwai or Poke-noboy. This palm was also called Pork and Dough Boy because tongs for cooking or removing coals were made from the fire-resistant wood of its trunk. The entire tree trunk, stem, and leaves are covered with sharp spines. Underneath the hard shell of the palm is an edible pulp called ‘heart of palm’. The red fruit has an edible sticky pulp with a large seed.
[←203]
Quamwood is Schizolobium parahybum. This fast-growing tree can reach a height of 130 ft. The name is derived from the local name of the Crested Guan (Quam), Penelope purpurascens, a large forest bird in the chicken family which feeds on the seed pods and is a favorite game bird. Other names for the bird are pava cojolita, and ah-cox.
[←204]
Ak’, pronounced ahk’, is Maya for ‘clitoris’.
[←205]
Santa Maria (Spanish) is Calophyllum antillanum. This tree is hardwood, very durable, and can reach a height of 130 ft. This tree is not to be confused with the shrubs of the same name.
[←206]
Dogwood is Piscidia piscipula. The bark and foliage have narcotic properties and have been used for poisoning fish. The ancient Maya used the bark for an intoxicating drink. It is also a food tree for the Howler Monkey. The wood is durable and has been used in construction.
[←207]
Popoxkan is Maya for ‘biting ant’, like the ‘fire ant’.
[←208]
Yu gwaan juk is Kriol for ‘You’re going to have sex’.
[←209]
Yu aan tinait is Kriol for ‘You’re in good form tonight’.
[←210]
Kriol translation for Ah feel laik evri wan a dehn madafoka prikl fram dat chree juk mi is ‘I feel like every one of them mother fucker prickles from that tree pricked me’.
[←211]
Melee generally refers to disorganized close combat in battles fought at abnormally close range with little central control once it starts.
[←212]
In Sisimito I - Ox Witz Ha, Tipú was destroyed by the Jungle Folk, the Kechelaj Komon. Tipú is a Maya archaeological site in Belize. The site is in the Maya Mountains near the Belize-Guatemala border, situated near the Macal River. Further downstream is located the Maya site of Chaa Creek, and further downstream is the site of Cahal Pech.
[←213]
Pitz is the name of the ballgame played by the Maya. The action of play is Ti Pitziil in Classic Maya, and Chaaj in Ke’kchi.
[←214]
Muuch is Maya for ‘toad’.
[←215]
Huuh is Maya for ‘large lizard’.
[←216]
Kumätz is Maya for ‘snake’. Another word is kaan, not to be mistaken with Kaán which is the sky level of Yaxché.
[←217]
Síina’an is Maya for ‘scorpion’.
[←218]
Xuulab is Maya for ‘marching army ant’.
[←219]
Xya’axkach is Maya for ‘flies’.
[←220]
Weech is Maya for ‘armadillo’. There are two species in Belize, the Nine-banded Armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctm, and the Northern Naked-tail Armadillo, Cabassous centralis.
[←221]
Tuk-tuk is Maya for ‘woodpecker’. Other Maya names are kaj-rochoch and korochoch.
[←222]
Bill-bird is the Belizean nickname for the toucan. Piitor is a Maya name; the Mopan call it pän. It is also known as Tucán Piquiverde. The Keel-billed Toucan, Ramphastos sulfuratus, is the largest of the three species in Belize and is the National Bird.
[←223]
Quash is the Belizean name for the coatimundi, Nasua narica.
[←224]
Bocatora Clapansaya and Thunder-and-Lightening Snake are the Belizean names for Spilotes pullatus mexicanus. Other names are Monkey Snake, Spotted Rat Snake, and Black and Yellow Rat Snake. The Spanish name is Culebra Mico. It is common and harmless and because of its black and yellow markings, it is sometimes confused with the poisonous Yellow-jawed Tommygoff. It has great ability in climbing rapidly through low trees and bushes, hence the name Monkey Snake.
[←225]
Wowla or Owla are the Belizean names for the boa constrictor. They are not poisonous and are listed among the ‘giant snakes’, being the sixth largest snake in the world. Although the record length for the boa constrictor is 181/2 feet, in Belize they grow up to ten feet, very occasionally 12 feet.
[←226]
Sachoj is Maya for ‘viper’ or poisonous snakes like the Fer-de-Lance.
[←227]
Hach ka ‘na ‘aneen is Maya for I’m very tired’.
[←228]
Hach-beyo’ is Maya for ‘Perfect!’
[←229]
Amate (Mopan), Ficus maxima Mill, is the fig tree. It is also known as higuero (Spanish).
[←230]
Slaty-tailed Trogon, Trogon massena, is also known as Trogon Colioscuro.
[←231]
Sanibay is Kriole for ‘sandy bay’.
[←232]
Tin bin tz’oon is Maya for ‘I’m going hunting’.
[←233]
Xotik si’ is Maya for ‘Cut firewood’.
[←234]
Moleet is Ke’kchi for ‘mullet’, mo’let in Mopan.
[←235]
Robaal is Ke’kchi for ‘snook’, aj-no-chi in Mopan.
[←236]
Chachi’ is Ke’kchi for ‘tuba’ (Kriol), aj-che’j in Mopan.
[←237]
Chac Uayab Xoc is the Maya fish god. He was regarded as the one who provided fish for the fisherman, but he also devoured drowned fishermen.
[←238]
Kaanilha’ is Maya for ‘eel’.
[←239]
Bolouyuuk-ikilab-ixchquow-chalaam is the vine that is used to poison fish. The vine is pounded in the stream to release the poison. In an hour, the river begins to turn brown and the big fishes appear, jumping, and trying to get away as the poison works. It is at this time that the fishes are collected. This method of fishing is seasonal as it can only be done during the summer when rivers are very low. The poisoned fish is not harmful to man.
Kumum is the palm whose leaf is used as a broom to prepare the area intended for fishing.
Becan (Ke’kchi and Mopan) is a bark candle boat made from the dry base of a cohune leaf.
[←240]
Tin bin ichkíil is Maya for ‘I’m going to take a bath’.
[←241]
Mata’m-apanoq is Ke’kchi for ‘later’.
[←242]
Chachalaca: The Belizean name for the Plain Chachalaca, Ortalis vetula, is Cockrico. Other names are Chachalaca Vetula, Bach or Ixbach. It gets its name from its call: cha-cha-lac! cha-cha-lac!
[←243]
Tz’o’okeen is Maya for ‘I am done’.
[←244]
The Coral Snake, Micrurus diastema, is also known as Bead-And-Coral in Belize. This snake’s venom is primarily neurotoxic. They are small burrowing snakes and generally stay out of sight under leaves or trash in the daytime, growing less than three feet in length.
[←245]
Tak-sáamal is Maya for ‘Until tomorrow’.
[←246]
Tutuchci is Maya for ‘stiff penis’. Chakuj tutuchci means ‘to work the stiff penis’ or ‘to have sex’.
[←247]
Miss Palma refers to the ‘palm’, as in masturbating.
[←248]
Nof is Kriol for ‘enough’.
[←249]
Tye-pú (Ke’kchi), Anthurium schlechtendalii Kunth, is pheasant tail. Other names are cola de faisán (Spanish), xiv-yak-tun-ich (Mopan).
[←250]
Cuyche (Mopan), Pachira aquatic Aubl, is provision bark (English). It is also known as bobo, Santo Domingo, sapoton (Spanish).
[←251]
King Coral is actually the Tropical King Snake, Lampropeltis triangu-lum. It is harmless.
[←252]
Yellow-jawed Tommygoff, Bothrops asper, is also known as Fer-De- Lance. It is poisonous.
[←253]
Hogback: This is any sharp ridge, or ridges, with steep sloping sides.
[←254]
Scree is a loose slope of rock fragments and boulders.
[←255]
Weech is Maya for ‘armadillo’.
[←256]
Hamadili is Kriol for ‘armadillo’.
[←257]
Pipl is Kriol for ‘people’. By’ City’ Teul is referring to Belize City where most of the country’s Kriol population lived.
[←258]
Ppilankeuel, Tityra semifasciata, is the Masked Tityra. It is also known as Titira Piquinegro.
[←259]
Blowdowns are trees knocked down by the wind.
[←260]
Strangler is a jungle plant (fig or banyan) starting life as a vine on the branch of a host tree, then working its way down to ground level. In time, it grows woodier and thicker and may fully encompass the host tree, sometimes killing it.
[←261]
Haul-am-back is the Belizean name for a strong vine that has its prickles running backwards. As one passes, it hooks into clothes or flesh of the passerby pulling them backwards.
[←262]
Ix-tot (Mopan), Bromelia penguin L., is the Wild Pineapple. Another name is Pinuela (Spanish).
[←263]
Envelopment is a military term meaning ‘surrounding the enemy’.
[←264]
We are never stronger than when we are one. is from the movie Lone Survivor.
[←265]
Mam Kutach is the Maya name for the Ursa Major constellation, the Big Dipper.
[←266]
T’uyul is the Maya name for the ‘“North Star’ or ‘Pole Star’ in the constellation Ursa Minor.
[←267]
Dehndeh is Kriol for ‘those’.
[←268]
Hunab Ku is a Yucatec Maya word meaning “The Only God” used in colonial, and more particularly in doctrinal texts, to refer to the Christian God. Since the word is found frequently in the Chilam Baläm of Chumayel, regarded by some as indigenous writing not influenced by Christianity, some authors have proposed that the name was originally used for an indigenous Maya deity, which was later transferred to the Christian god. Recent research has shown this to be unlikely. Rather the word was a translation into Maya of the Christian concept of the “One God”, used to enculturate the previously polytheist Maya to the new Colonial religion.
[←269]
Yum Kaax (Lord of the Forest) is the name for the god of wild vegetation, the hunt, and he is guardian of the jungle’s animals that are important to hunters. Ah Tabai is also god of the hunt.
[←270]
Weda is the Kriol word for ‘weather’, usually bad weather.
[←271]
Bos is the Kriol word for ‘burst’.
[←272]
Kaka is Kriol slang for ‘excrement’. There’s also nomba too and tu-tu.
[←273]
Ah deh chrai fu bee wahn brada ahn luk whe di madafok yu gwain is Kriol for “I’m trying to be a brother and look where the mother fuck you’re going.”
[←274]
Talus is the collective term for boulders, rocks, and gravel fragments often found at the base of cliffs and steep slopes.
[←275]
Deadfall is a jumble of fallen trees and branches.
[←276]
The Green-Headed Tree Snake is Leptophis mexicanus. The Green Tree Snake is Leptophis ahaetulla.
[←277]
The Jumping Tommygoff, Bothrops nummifer is also known as Jumping Viper, and Memo De Piedra (Spanish for Hand of Stone). It is a bad- tempered snake that strikes so hard that its body actually leaves the ground and its head shoots forward almost the full length of its body. The venom is not as toxic as in other pit vipers.
Sisimito II--Xibalba Page 67