Tecun Uman

c.1500-24

The last ruler of the K’iche Maya, it is said that Tecun Uman resisted the Spanish conquest before his defeat and untimely death at the hands of Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. Whether Tecun Uman truly existed or not remains a matter of debate, but the legend of him riding into battle while wearing a jewelled crown, quetzal feathers and accompanied by a quetzal bird – his spirit guide – still persists. In 1960, Uman was declared as the national hero of Guatemala and he continues to be celebrated in literature, dance and folktales today.