Ajaw Q'alel

Según explica el lingüista k'iche' Sam Colop (2008: 251n335): “El primero de estas nueve autoridades se llamaba Ajaw Q’alel siendo la primera palabra ‘señor’ y q’alel derivada de q’alaj, ‘claridad’, o sea el ‘Señor que ve las cosas con claridad’ o de q’aq’, ‘fuego’, por lo que significa poder. Esto ha sido traducido como ‘Señor capitán’ (Edmonson, 1971: 231) y ‘Señor ministro’ (D. Tedlock, 1996: 185). Carmack (1983: 228), sin embargo, dice: ‘El K’alel era un cargo con funciones judicales.’” Se asocia principalmente con el linaje Nija'ib'.

The first principal lord of the Nija'ib', understood in English as "Lord Magistrate." According to anthropologist Allen J. Christenson (2007: 261n718), Ajaw Q'alel, or Q'alel Ajaw, as Christenson writes, "is another office within the Quiché hierarchy that has no English equivalent. It is the third highest position within the Nima Quiché line (after Ah Pop and Ah Pop of the Reception House). The title is specifically linked with the Nihaib lineage. Neither the Cavec, the Ajau Quichés, nor the Zaquics (the other three lineages within the Nima Quiché alliance) have a Q'alel title. Colonial dictionaries give a variety of descriptive meanings to it including 'cacique' (Spanish for a native chief), 'generous person, prince' (Coto), or simply an 'important person' (Varea). Coto also lists ah εalel as a 'constable.' Basseta defines calel achi as a 'captain of soldiers.' In modern Quiché, the title is given to judges, and some early dictionaries suggest that this office may have included judicial functions as well. The title is likely something akin to 'magistrate' with duties that include peacekeeping and military activity. Ajaw is 'lord'.”