"Abau is the beginning of the count, because this was the katun when foreigners arrived. They came from the east when they arrived. Then Christianity also began..." (Chilam Balam of Chumayel). The Mayan prophets were called "Chilam" or "Chilan," a title for the term "priest." They delivered the messages of the gods to the people, and thus were considered the fathers of mankind. Each community's Chilam Balam was written by its leader.ℓThe Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel is a record of a rich and complex civilization with prophetic insights that are uncannily relevant to our world.