Tecún Umán (1500?-1524) was the last ruler of the Quiché people, in the highlands of what is now Guatemala. According to the Kaqchikel annals, he was slain by Spanish Conquistador Don Pedro de Alvarado while waging battle against the Spaniards in the grasslands of El Pinar (Valley of Olintepeque) on February 20 1524.

National Symbol

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Tecún Umán is considered the most representative of his people for his bravery and dignity because he fought to protect his land and his people. He was declared Guatemala's official national hero on March 22 1960 and is commemorated on February 20, on the anniversary of his death.

An image of him appeared on the now retired 50-centavo bills.

The Legends

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Tecún Umán has inspired a number of legends and songs. The most popular legend says that during the battle against the Spaniards, his spiritual guide (his nahual), a quetzal bird, accompanied him. When Tecún Umán was slain, his nahual died of sadness and stained its breast with the hero's blood. From that day on, all male quetzals bear a scarlet breast and their song has not been heard since. It is also said that if one were to be put into captivity, it would die (although since the 1990s zoos have been able to keep quetzals in captivity).

One of many tributes to Guatemala's national hero is a sculpture by Roberto González Goyri, which stands near the south west entrance of the zoological park "La Aurora".

Tecún Umán in Popular Culture

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• Tecún Umán is mentioned in the Hardy Boys book The Clue in the Embers (Vol. 35).
• Quetzales, the Guatemalan currency bear the image of Tecún Umán
• There is also a book titled, Son of Tecún Umán- the life story of a Maya Indian. Although it bears no relation to Tecún Umán, most consider him to be an heroic example of the great Maya people- therefore, all Maya are the sons/daughters of Tecún Umán.

See also

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• Pedro de Alvarado
• Hernan Cortes

Maya people | Mesoamerican people | Guatemalan culture | Latin American folklore | Guatemalan folklore

Tecún Umán | Tecún Umán