Kin Tours

Social Structure and Government

Mayan society was organized into a stratified social system with the ruler at the top, the noblemen and priests beneath him, the commoners beneath them, and the slaves at the bottom. The hierarchy was extremely rigid, and there was little upward mobility. It was particularly difficult for woman to obtain or maintain power.

The halach uinic, a term that means “true man” in the Mayan language, was the supreme ruler at very top of the Mayan social pyramid. He was the highest ranking individual in each city state and the most important figure in both religion and government. He was the centre of power and driving force of the city state.

The nobility, called the almehnob, ranked below the ruler. This group comprised the governing elite of the Mayan empire. Though they represented only a small percentage of the empire’s population, they controlled the government, warfare and commerce. Their powerful administrative positions were hereditary and patrilineal (descent through the male line). Every generation, one member of the family, usually the eldest male, was selected to be its head and inherited all of its possessions, land and wealth; this practice is known as primogeniture.

The priests, or ahkinob were among the most powerful members of the upper class. They operated under their own hierarchy, at the top of which was the Ah Kin, or chief priest; local priests who led religion in individual villages comprised the lowest sub-category. Priests played an integral role both in religious ceremonies and in daily life. Priests were responsible for naming children according to astrological signs, celebrating marriages, conducting burials and teaching in schools where the male children of the nobility were educated.

Below the priests, were the commoners, known as the ah chembal uinicob. Experts believe that there was a ranking system within this broad category, with craftsmen, merchants and minor officials occupying a middling position within it. It is also possible that an entirely separate middle class existed in Mayan society. Members of the common class were responsible for virtually all Mayan trade. The large majority of commoners were farmers, who were essential in building and developing city states.

At the bottom were the slaves, or ppentacob. Some ppentacob were born into slavery, while others were orphans or individuals captured and enslaved as prisoners of war. Historical evidence suggests that many Mayan slaves were criminals, since the civilization had no jails. Slaves’ work ranged from simple tasks such as grinding corn to dangerous or strenuous manual labour.