How Our Mother Beloved Maiden was Saved from an Untimely Death:  A christianized version of the Xkik’ tale of the Popol Wuj

Xkik’ or Blood Woman

The Xkik’ story in the Popol Wuj describes the life of the daughter of lord Kuchuma Kik’ (Blood Gatherer) of Xib’alb’a. Attracted by the gourd tree in the ballcourt, she finds out that one of the fruits is the severed skull of Jun Junajpu. She becomes pregnant when receiving spittle in her hand that was ejected from the skull. When her father discovers her pregnancy, he demands her to reveal the father of the child. Xkik’ denies having been with a man, after which her father, together with the other lords of Xib’alb’a, decide to have her killed. Owl messengers are ordered to take her away and bring back proof of her sacrifice. Xkik’, however, manages to persuade her executioners to let her go, which they do. They deceive the lords of Xib’alb’a with fake evidence of her death. Instead of bringing Xkik’s heart a fake one is produced from the fruit and red sap of the Croton Red Tree. With the help of the Owl messengers Xkik’ escapes from Xib’alb’a and arrives at the house of Jun Junajpu. His mother, Xmukane, is not easily convinced that Xkik’ carries his children, and sends her out to do an impossible task – filling up a net with corncobs from just one corn plant – which she nevertheless completes. Only then is she accepted into the house and gives birth to the hero twins Junajpu and Xb’alan Q’e.

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