Kuchkabal, Ancient Maya province in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Kuchkabal was an administrative system on the Yucatan Peninsula that organized multiple settlements into different territories. Each territory was led by a local chief called a batab who answered to a higher-ranking leader known as the halach uinik.
After the fall of Mayapan, the Yucatan Peninsula split into sixteen independent kuchkabal regions, each with its own political structure. This division marked a major shift in how the Maya communities governed themselves in the region.
Leaders of the kuchkabal gathered under sacred Ceiba trees to meet with representatives from different communities and make decisions together. These meetings were central to how the region was governed and how communities stayed connected.
The kuchkabal territories were connected by extensive trade networks that spread across Mesoamerica. Visitors can explore the archaeological remains of these trade routes and settlements at various sites throughout the region today.
Each kuchkabal territory was divided into smaller districts where local chiefs held authority over their specific areas. This decentralized structure allowed for flexible management while still maintaining broader connections between the different territories.
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