[Aztlan] Chilam etymology

[Karen Bassie]

In 2005, John Sosa (who is a Maya speaker and an exceptional 
anthropologist) gave a persuasive presentation at the Chac Mool 
conference in which he presented evidence that the "chilam balam" title 
 should actually be pronounced c(íila'an báalam. In modern Maya, this 
would translate as c(íila'an "lying down," and báalam "guardian 
grandfather".  In other words, the "lying down guardian grandfather". 
The various descriptions of the "chilam balam" indicate that he made his 
prophesy by lying face up in a room in his house and entering a trance. 
The true god, the 13 gods, and 400 gods then came to the ridgepole of 
his roof and spoke to him. John also explained why this position of the 
shaman/guardian grandfather was important.