Vuh

Vuh is the K'iche' term commonly translated as "book" or "text." It is best known from its use in Popol Vuh, the sacred book of the Quiché Maya. The Popol Vuh is a foundational Maya narrative that preserves cosmology, creation myths, and genealogies in the K'iche' language and tradition. Central to the text are the creation of the world, the origin of humans, and the exploits of the Hero Twins Hunahpú and Xbalanqué, whose journeys culminate in the defeat of the lords of Xibalba, the Maya underworld; the narrative also recounts dynastic histories and the significance of maize in Maya society.

Dating and transmission: The Popol Vuh reflects a merging of pre-Columbian Maya tradition with early colonial-era transcription. The best-known surviving manuscript was transcribed in the late 17th or early 18th century by Francisco Ximénez, a Dominican priest in Guatemala, from older sources. It was later translated into Spanish and then into numerous other languages; a widely cited English version is Dennis Tedlock's 1985 translation, which renders the text for modern readers.

Significance: As a major primary source for Maya mythology, cosmology, and history, the Popol Vuh informs scholars about Maya conceptions of creation, the maize-based origin of humanity, timekeeping, and political ideals of the K'iche' people. The work has influenced anthropology, literature, and studies of Mesoamerican cultures.