copal

a copal with few termites

Copal is a type of resin produced by plant or tree secretions, particularly identified with the forms of aromatic tree resins used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as a ceremonially burned incense, as well as for a number of other purposes.^[1] More generically, the term copal is now also used to describe resinous substances in an intermediate stage of polymerization and hardening between more viscous and 'gummy' resins and amber.^[2] The word copal is derived from the Nahuatl language word copalli, meaning "incense". To the pre-Columbian Maya and contemporary Maya peoples it is known in the various Mayan languages as pom (or a close variation thereof), although the word itself has been demonstrated to be a loanword to Mayan from (proto-)Mixe-Zoquean languages.

It is sometimes likened to, or substituted for, amber and put in jewellery.

Copal is still used by a number of indigenous peoples of Mexico and Central America as an incense, used during cermonies such as the "sweat lodge" ceremony. It is available in different forms. The hard, amber-like yellow copal is a less expensive version. The white copal, a hard, milky, sticky substance, is a more expensive version of the same resin.

Notes

References

• Platt, Garry (1998). Types of Amber, Copal & Resin. Amber Home. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.

• Stross, Brian (1997). "Mesoamerican Copal Resins", in in Carolyn Jones and Tom Jones (Eds.): U Mut Maya VI (online reproduction), Arcata, CA: Humboldt State University, pp.177–186. 

• Wichmann, Søren (2006). A Mixe-Zoquean Loanword in the Late Preclassic Murals of San Bartolo? (PDF). Mesoweb articles. Mesoweb.

Donate to Wikimedia