The Dance of the Conquest is a public ritual drama that portrays the K’iche’ kingdom as it was in 1524, introducing the king K’iq’ab’ and his heir, prince Tekum, whose priest, diviner and spiritual advisor is Ajitz. The drama tells of the Spanish invasion led by Pedro de Alvarado under orders from Hernán Cortés, and it tells of the heroic defense mounted by Tekum, killed in battle by Alvarado. The story concludes with the K’iche’ people accepting the Christian faith.
The text for this drama was likely written in the late 16th or early 17th century by a Franciscan missionary at Xela or Salcajá, who designed it in part to foster Maya conversion to Catholicism. However, over the centuries Maya dance groups have added to its message, using the dance to express concerns for remembering their history, celebrating costumbre (Maya-Catholic religion), honoring their patron saint, maintaining their distinct identity, and resisting oppression and exploitation.
