:

One of the places (along with Paxil) where maize originates.

Christenson (p. 193, note 455): “K’ayala’ means ‘bitter or stagnant water.’ This is perhaps related to the notion of the primordial waters of creation which the highland Maya often associate with seawater or brackish ponds, out of which the frist mountains emerged. Among modern Quichés, k’alaya’ is the water mixed with lime that women use to add to ground maize dough (Akkeren, personal communication).”

Tedlock (p. 145) has maize originating in “Split Place” (Paxil) and “Bitter Water Place” (K’ayala’).