CHILAM BALAM, BOOKS OF

group of documents written in Yucatec Maya with Spanish characters during the 17th and 18th centuries. A principal source of knowledge of ancient Mayan custom, they contain myth, prophecy, medical lore, calendrical information, and historical chronicles. Although originally there were probably many documents, only a few remain. Those of Chumayel, Tizimn, and Man (towns where they were written) are particularly important for Mayan history. Chilam balam means "secrets of the soothsayers."