Abstract

MELENDEZ GUADARRAMA, Lucero; TRABANINO, Felipe  and  CABALLERO ROQUE, Adriana. Three Perspectives on the Edible Uses for the Pacay(a) and Chapay(a) Inflorescences of Palms in Chiapas, México: Paleoethnobotanical, Nutritional and Linguistic Approaches. Estud. cult. maya [online]. 2013, vol.41, pp.175-199. ISSN 0185-2574.

Based on current ethnographic information in conjunction with paleoethnobotanical, nutritional, and linguistic data, this study examines the cultural importance of the inflorescences of palms pacay(a) and chapay(a) with edible purposes in Chiapas, Mexico. Paleoethnobotanical analysis of sediment from Chinikihá's palace, near Palenque, Chiapas, documented the presence of PALMAE phytoliths. Nutritional studies reveal that the flowers of pacay(a) and chapay(a) contain high amounts of proteins, minerals, and vitamins, wich complement the diet of some Maya groups today and, possibly, since Classical times. Lastly, linguistic evidence shows that the terms č'ib' (from protomayan *k'iib') and ?ak te? or čitam te? are the Mayan vernacular names for pacay(a) and chapay(a) and that the latter two have a quechua origen.

Keywords : Palm inflorescens; paleoethnobotany; nutrition; mayan food; mayan linguistics.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )