Ajpop K'amja

Tal como el oficio de Ajpop se refiere al líder más alto del pueblo, Ajpop K'amja (ajpop q'amja'il) es, según apunta el lingüista k'iche' Sam Colop (2008: 186n304), citando el libro de Adrián Recinos (1953: 220) "como el 'segundo príncipe reinante' ... que también comparten Carmack y Mondloch. En mi opinión, el segundo título se refiere más a una función de cancillería y que Tedlock (1996: 179) tradue como 'Keeper of the Reception House Mat'. En El Título de Totonicapán, cuando se habla del matrimonio de Q'uqumatz K'otuja con la joven Ixlem, del Señorio de los Malaj, perteneciente a los tz'utujiles, se dice que Cuatro Pop K'amja fueron a recibirla."

Mayanist scholar Allen J. Christenson (2007: note 692) translates Aj Pop K'am Ja as "He of the Mat Reception House." Christenson explains, "This is the second highest office among the Nima Quichés, serving as an advisor and representative of the Ah Pop. The title was held by representatives of the secondary line founded by Co Nache, the illegitimate son of Co Caib’s wife by Co Cavib (Carmack and Mondloch 1983, 181-182). The 'reception house' may refer to a building or hall used for receiving petitioners, visiting dignitaries, or perhaps tribute. The latter possibility is supported by Colonial dictionaries that list k'amajal as 'to send or pay tribute' (Varea). The importance of tribute collection as the focus of high office may be seen in Las Casas’ description of Pre-Conquest Quiché administration: 'That supreme king had certain principal men of counsel who had charge of justice and determined what should be done in all business affairs. It is said today by the Indians who saw it, that they were like the Oidores of Guatimala in the Royal Audience. They saw the tribute which was collected from the kingdom and they divided and sent to the king what was needed for the support of his person and for his estate” (Las Casas 1967, III.ccxxxiv.500. Translation by author). Alternatively, Akkeren reads the word as k'amaja (almost, close) in the sense that he holds a position just below the Ah Pop. The title would thus be something like “Vice Ah Pop” (Akkeren 2000, 213). In an article published three years later, van Akkeren (2003) uses the translation "Vice Keeper of the Mat."