Muzul Territory

The Musul or Muzul Territory is thought to have been a Postclassic polity of the former Maya Lowlands, in present-day Belize. Little is currently known of the Territory, though it is presumed to have been subordinate to or formed part of the Dzuluinicob Province or the Mopan Territory.

Territory of the Muzul Maya
ca 15th cent–1756
Map of the Muzul Territory in the late 16th century / in central Belize / 2023 map per Jones 1977 and Jones 1989 / via Commons
Status	Dissolved
Capital	Zaui / likely
Common languages	Mopan Mayan / likely
Religion	Maya polytheism
Government	Confederacy of settlements with aristocratic and theocratic features / likely
Leader
• ca 1677	Juan Muzul / last known
Historical era	Postclassic to Precolonial / likely
• Established	ca 15th cent
• Disestablished	1756
Today part of	Belize
Common language per Jones 1998, pp. 21, 168–169, 175, 408, 556, though see Jones 1989, p. 267 for dissent. Capital per Jones 1989, p. 267. Leader per Jones 1989, p. 267. Map per Jones 1977, pp. 5–7 and Jones 1989, p. 39, though see Thompson 1988, pp. 17, 21 for dissent. Founding date per Jones 1977, pp. xvi, 67–68. Dissolution date per Schwartz 1990, p. 300. Form of government per von Houwald 1984, p. 263 and Jones 1989, p. 267.

Geography

The Territory is thought to have stretched east of Tipu, south of the Belize River, and north of South Stann Creek, thereby encompassing the drainage basins of Sibun River, North Stann Creek, and Sittee River.^[1] This would situate the Territory south and east of Dzuluinicob, northeast of Mopan Territory, and north of Manche Chol Territory.

History

Pre-Columbian

It has been suggested that Tipu and its environs formed part of the Territory until Columbian times, when the Spanish conquest of Yucatan is thought to have driven troves of northern, Yucatec Mayan speaking refugees to the area, an event which would have relegated native residents to minority status.^[2]

Columbian

The Territory is thought to have been under the close political, cultural, or spiritual influence of the Peten Itza Kingdom.^{[3][note 1]}

At least some of the Territory came under Spanish control in 1695 when an embassy to Merida, Yucatan, offered the Spanish governor submission to Church and Crown.^{[4][note 2]} Another part of the Territory was subjected to forced relocation during Spanish reducciones in 1754–1756.^{[5][note 3]}

Society

The Territory's residents, the Muzul Maya, are thought to have been members of a single ch'ibal, 'patronymic lineage,' that is, 'a highly localised group named after their dominant political family.'^[6][7] Inhabitants are believed to have been some of the indios del monte, 'wild Indians,' often referred to in Spanish colonial records, ie pagan natives residing south of Belize River with a mother tongue other than Yucatec Mayan.^{[8][note 4]}

Legacy

Little is presently known of the Territory or its inhabitants.^[9][10] Along with residents of the former Mopan Territory, they are thought to be ancestors of the modern Mopan Maya people of Belize and Guatemala.^[9]