The History of the Word for Cacao in Ancient Mesoamerica

Abstract

The word *kakaw(a) (‘cacao’, Theobroma cacao) was widely diffused among Mesoamerican languages, and from there to much of lower Central America. This study provides evidence establishing beyond reasonable doubt that this word originated in the Mije-Sokean family; that it spread from the Mije-Sokean languages in or around the Olmec heartland into southeastern Mesoamerican languages; that its diffusion into Mayan languages took place between about 200 B.C. and A.D. 400; and that it spread from a Mije-Sokean language in or near the Basin of Mexico into languages in the region. It shows that each of the arguments presented by Dakin and Wichmann (2000) against a Mije-Sokean origin is either unworkable, is based upon false premises, or is not relevant; and that their proposed alternative — that it originated in and spread from Nawa into other Mesoamerican languages — conflicts with the mass of evidence relevant to the issue.This study also discusses the linguistic details of vocabulary for drinks made from cacao; shows that no proposed etymology for the word chocolate is correct, but agrees with Dakin and Wichmann that its proximate source is a Nawa form chikola:tl; and discusses the history of words for Theobroma bicolor (‘Nicaragua chocolate tree; pataxte’) and their use.The linguistic data are pertinent to issues of intergroup interaction in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, but do not shed light on the nature or the cultural context of the diffusion of cacao in Mesoamerica, nor on its uses.

Possible Migrations and Shifting Identities in the Central Mexican Epiclassic

“…Speakers of many languages probably lived in Teotihuacan, but it is generally thought that, because Teotihuacan was so widely influential in Mesoamerica, words borrowed from the language of its elite would likely show up in many languages elsewhere. However, Kaufman and Justeson (2007) argue that no Uto-Aztecan language can have been the source for kakawa and that there is no good evidence for any borrowings at all from Nahuatl before about a.d. 900. However, Kaufman and Justeson (2007) argue that no Uto-Aztecan language can have been the source for kakawa and that there is no good evidence for any borrowings at all from Nahuatl before about a.d. 900.…”

Recent Research in Western Mexican Archaeology

“…This corresponds very well to a reinterpretation of the ethnohistoric evidence that argues that Nahuatl speakers entered central Mexico prior to the Postclassic period (Beekman and Christensen 2003, pp. 120-127; see also the debate between Dakin and Wichman [2000] and Kaufman and Justeson [2007]), and a more recent study that argues that Nahuatlspeaking communities were in place in the Mezquital Valley of western Hidalgo by the 6th century A.D. (Christensen and Beekman 2005). Other scholars have argued that any migrations into the area did not occur until the Early Postclassic (e.g., Fournier and Vargas Sanders 2002).…”

Biodiversity and Edible Plants of Mexico

“…For some authors, the word cocoa is derived from the Mayan cacau composed of cac , red and cau , strength or fi re [ 107 ], while others consider cocoa to be derived from the Mije-Zoquean word kakawa and to be widespread in Mesoamerica [ 108 ]. The word chocolate is derived from the Nahuatl xoloatl , meaning foamy water, a word that according to Kaufman and Justeson [ 108 ] appeared until the late sixteenth century, while in the early chronicles the word kakawatl , meaning cocoa water, is used to describe the drink made with cocoa, water, and honey.…”

“…The word chocolate is derived from the Nahuatl xoloatl , meaning foamy water, a word that according to Kaufman and Justeson [ 108 ] appeared until the late sixteenth century, while in the early chronicles the word kakawatl , meaning cocoa water, is used to describe the drink made with cocoa, water, and honey.…”