The Poqomchiʼ^{[pronunciation?]} are a Maya people in Guatemala. Their indigenous language is also called Poqomchiʼ, and is related to the Quichean–Poqom branch.^[2] Poqomchí is spoken in Baja Verapaz (Purulhá) and in Alta Verapaz: Santa Cruz Verapaz, San Cristóbal Verapaz, Tactic, Tamahú and Tucurú. It is also spoken in Chicamán (El Quiché).^[3]

The Poqomchi' language, belonging to the Mayan family, has a rich linguistic history that spans almost five centuries. Despite this long history, it remains one of the least documented languages within the Mayan family. Description efforts began in the second half of the 16th century when Spanish missionaries initiated the first attempts to document the language. These early efforts laid the foundation for understanding the structure and features of Poqomchi'.

Subsequent linguistic descriptions took place in the second half of the 19th century when European travelers and ethnographers made notable contributions. However, it was in the 20th century that linguistic description gained further momentum with the involvement of American and European missionaries who dedicated their efforts to understanding and documenting Poqomchi'.^[4]

v t e Ancestry and ethnicity in Guatemala
Ancestral background of Guatemalan citizens
Guatemalan native groups (Maya and others)	Achi Akatek Awakatek Chuj Chʼortiʼ Itza Ixil Jakaltek Kaqchikel Kʼicheʼ Mam Mopan Poqomam Poqomchiʼ Qʼanjobʼal Qʼeqchiʼ Sakapultek Sipakapense Tektitek Tzʼutujil Uspantek Xinca
Former and extinct	Acala Chʼol Alaguilac Chinamita Kejache Kowoj Lakandon Chʼol Manche Chʼol Pipil Tojolabal Toquegua Yalain
Guatemalan mestizo	Mestizo Ladino
Descendants of Europeans (white or Criollo)	French German Italian Russian Spanish Swiss
Descendants of Asians	Jewish Korean Lebanese Romani
Afro-descendants	Garifuna Mulatto Zambo
Americas	Americans Mexicans Salvadorans