Cabrakan- Maya GiantGiant"Destroyer of Mountains"
Also known as: Kab'raqan and Cabracán
Titles & Epithets
Domains
Description
While his brother Zipacna built mountains, Cabrakan destroyed them — stomping his feet to send tremors rippling through the earth. The Hero Twins fed him birds coated in white earth that drained his strength, then buried the weakened giant beneath the very mountain he had come to topple.
Mythology & Lore
The Earthquake Giant
Cabrakan was the younger son of the cosmic bird-demon Vucub Caquix and brother of Zipacna. Where Zipacna boasted of creating mountains, Cabrakan devoted his power to their destruction. He would stamp his feet or strike the ground, and tremors rippled outward that toppled even the mightiest peaks. His arrogance matched his brother's. Both sons had inherited their father's pride.
The Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque, had already dealt with Vucub Caquix and Zipacna. Now they turned to the last member of this family of primordial bullies.
The Poisoned Bird
The twins found Cabrakan busy at his usual sport of toppling mountains. They offered to guide him to the greatest mountain of all, one so enormous that its destruction would prove his power beyond doubt. Cabrakan agreed.
Along the way, the twins pretended to be simple hunters, roasting birds over a fire. They had coated the birds with white earth, a poison that would drain the giant's strength. When the hungry Cabrakan demanded some of their catch, the twins shared the meal without hesitation. As he ate, his limbs grew weak. The strength that shook mountains left his body.
The twins led the helpless giant to the base of the great mountain he had meant to destroy. They bound him and buried him there. The mountain he had sought to topple became his prison. The Maya said that Cabrakan still lives beneath it, and that earthquakes are his struggles against the bonds, the giant straining to break free.
Relationships
- Slain by