Kayb'il B'alam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kayb'il B'alam (alternatively written Kaibil Balam) was a 16th-century leader of the Maya Mam people in the southern highlands of Guatemala. During the time of the Spanish invasion, the Mam population was mainly situated in Xinabahul (Now modern-day Huehuetenango). However, due to the Spanish conquest, the tribe returned to its stone fortifications of Zaculeu for protection.
The city was attacked in 1525 by conquistador Don Pedro de Alvarado and later by his brother Gonzalo de Alvarado. Kayb'il B'alam and his warriors successfully repelled the attempted siege by the Spanish forces for six weeks until being forced to surrender after being reduced to the verge of starvation.
