Origins
of Kakasbal
My alias is Kakasbal. The origin of this name is that Kakasbal
is the Mayan equivalent to the Devil. Here is the story of Kakasbal
from my aunt Harriet Heusinkveld's book, Legends of the Mayas
of Yucatan, Mexico.
When the gods created the Maya Indian, they gave him many animals
and birds
as his companions and helpers. They all knew one language, and
in the evening,
the animals came to the Maya's house to talk over the events of
the day and to
rest around the door of his house, as if they were all one family.
The animals helped the Indian with his daily tasks, and he cared
for them when
they were in need. The hare with his small teeth tore the grains
of corn from their
husks; the spider spun cotton cloth to dress the Indian; the carpenter
bird tore the
tree branches apart to get the sticks for his house; and the deer
ran rapidly from place
to place carrying messages.
The vulture from high in the heavens kept vigilant watch over the
roads; the jaguar
guarded the caves; the birds picked out the seeds which man could
safely eat; the firefly
lighted the paths at night; and the bird with the beautiful voice
sang him to sleep every
night. By doing the tasks which the gods had intended them to do,
animals and man found
ways to make the other happy and content.
At that time, the Indian ate only grains and fruits, and he felt
no desire for any
other type of food. And the animals trusted him completely, as
at night they came to
sleep on the ground and in the trees surrounding his house.
One night the Indian could not sleep, and for some unknown reason
he felt anxious
and depressed. He got up and walked out of his thatched hut into
the yard, and in
the bright moonlight he could see the animals and birds, all safely
asleep. Even
the trees with their huge drooping branches seemed asleep. He saw
that there was
nothing to fear, so he decided to return to his house and go back
to bed. But he
could not for a strange force clutched his feet, and he could not
move.
Then to his horror he saw an enormous black shadow coming out of
the forest. It was
deformed in body and had a shaggy, hairy skin; its great piercing
eyes pinned him to
the spot. The man was so terrified that he screamed to the animals
for help, but none
even moved. It was as if a strange spell prevented them from awakening.
The approaching shadow spoke harshly. "It is useless to try to
awaken the animals."
He continued, "You are a pure man, filled with the spirit of God,
my enemy. I am Kakasbal
, the bad spirit who reigns at night. I eat the flesh of human
beings and animals. I drink
the blood of children. I make the plants which are poisonous. I
break things and destroy
them. I hold back the rains so that droughts occur. I bring sickness
and death."
"But why do you do these evil deeds?" asked the man trembling with
fright."
"It is because Good and Evil must both exist on this earth. And
now, I want to tell you
something. These animals would be delicious to eat... Kill them
and taste of their meat...
See for yourself!"
Just then the sun rose, and Kakasbal disappeared because he fears
the daylight. The Indian had
lost his primitive purity. Kakasbal had instilled his evil spirit
in the man
And it is said that since that time, the Indian knew the meaning
of gluttony, and he began
to eat meat along with his grains. He was cruel in his killing,
and he was clever in making
his traps. The animals were afraid, and each chose his own hiding
place or lair.
After that first time Kakasbal appeared frequently, especially
in the nights of the
full moon, sometimes as a monster, or as a mad dog, or an angry
bull, and even as a beautiful
seductive woman. And the animals scream in terror when he is about.
But some day, the Spirit of the Good will conquer the Evil Spirit
and the time will come
when all will return to the harmony there was in the beginning.
By Harriet Heusinkveld
Copyright © 1989 by Harriet Heusinkveld
For more information about the Mayas Go
to Mayan Culture
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