When the Spanish first landed in the Campeche area in 1517, it was near the Maya trading centre of Ah Kin Pech ruled by the fearless Moch-Cuouh. The thirsty visitors were told they were welcome to come ashore for water but could not stay. Feeling quite superior and not used to taking orders as well as being in no hurry to move on, the Spanish ignored this warning. Infuriated by the challenge to his authority in the area, Moch-Cuouh attacked the ship, killing everyone aboard.
Over the next twenty years several more Spanish ships arrived with the express purpose of teaching Moch-Cuouh a lesson. All of them met the same fate as the first interlopers and were slaughtered as soon as they made their intentions known.
It was not until 1540, after Moch-Cuouh’s death that the Spanish were able to gain a foothold in the area. The city they established was Villa de San Francisco de Campeche. The city soon became the major port of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Campeche remains unique in that it does not depend on tourism for it’s survival. You can safely walk the Malecon without being accosted by condo salesmen every few feet. The city’s wealth is derived from the local shrimp fishery and offshore oil exploration and production.
Perhaps the Spirit of Moch-Cuouh is still keeping watch over his beloved city.
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