It is not true, not true,that we come to this earth to live.

We come only to sleep, only to dream.Our body is a flower.

As grass becomes green in the springtime, so our hearts will open and give forth buds and then they

wither.

----Aztec poem

AZTEC FAMILY AND SOCIETY

Domestic life was regulated and consistent.Everyone knew their obligations.

Tears add drama to requests

Aztec cherished their children and celebrated any birth for four days according to family wealth. Gifts given and received.

Naming ceremony (very important to have an auspicious name)

Baptismal ceremony Cleansing

Aztecs equated giving birth as equivalent to a warrior in battle. The soul of the child was sent to earth and the woman had to struggle and fight to bring him into the world of people.

Community involved in raising a child but parents were expected to be responsible.

SOCIAL BEHAVIORS

Women of Tenochiltlan were less prone to wear make up and tattoos as in the outer districts.Heavy make-up and loose hair was associated with prostitutes.

“Do not wear red on your lips. If you want your husband to love you dress well and wash your clothes.”

--- from the Codex Borbonicus

Cuicacalli: school for song and dance. Calmecac: school for boys—dreams and

omens, glyphs, and military arts (elites only).

Auianime: courtesans who attended to warriors “needs.”

Telpochaalli: school for young men (commoners) law, history, religion, and proper behavior.

Parents drop off their children at school.

Preparing the sweat bath.

Aztec woman of high rank.

SIN

Moral behavior was expected as well as obedience to the law.

Tlazoltcotl was the god of Filth. Both inspired and absolved sin.

Confession to priests of sins in the name of Tlazolcotl could absolve any crime—if you had not been caught--once in your lifetime (so plan ahead).

Tlazoltcotl

“loose haired” prostitutes.

IF IT SEEMS THERE WERE A LOT OF GODS…

You are correct. In part the problem stems from Aztec

respect for and incorporation of the Gods of their conquered enemies and conquests.

Even Aztec priests had a tough time keeping track.

Getting ears pierced at the mall.

Population density of Tenochitlan greater than modern Manhattan.

Men not allowed to marry until 20 years of age, girls at 14. Marriages arranged.

Turquois symbolized water and sky. Second only to jade in preciousness.

Only nobles could wear cotton garments.

A FEW MISCELANEOUS FACTS.

Although burials took place, most preferred to be cremated.

Iguanas were considered a delicious addition to dinner.

A kind of hairless, barkless dog was a favorite for special feasts.

Judges could be put to death for taking bribes.

THE LEGEND OF DONA MARINADeconstructing the myth of Malinche

It is time to take a critical look at a myth.

Treason and betrayal of a people? Cortez condemns Moctzuma II to death.

BACKGROUND

Born of noble birth, sold into slavery in act of betrayal by her mother.

“Rescued from servitude” by the good Christian Hernan Cortez.

Served at his side as translator. Given the title Dona Marina. Disappears from history in 1531

(probably a victim of smallpox, but perhaps some other reason).

ACCORDING TO BERNAL DIAZ DEL CASTILLO

Skilled linguist Spoke Mayan

dialects of Tobasco, Nahualtl, and achieved fluency in Spanish.

Shrewd and capable aid.

“Born a Princess and looked like one,” “noble bearing.”

Recognized as having standing—Cortez used her as an emissary and guide to social cues and behaviors of noble class.

Contemporary accounts hold her in favorable light for her accomplishments.

But over time she came to stand for all things treasonous, for betrayal and treachery.

The truth is, the Aztec fell to armies of many enemies allied to the Spaniards with their own agendas.

Did she betray her people? Or, is she victim twice, once by her

tribe and now by modern society looking for a scape goat for the conquest?

According to this is a Euro-myth of just conquest.

A PATTERN OF EUROPEAN MYTH MANUFACTURE?

Women portrayed as aids and betrayers working with Christian conquerors.

European conqueror is seen as more virile and acceptable compared to native peoples.

Europeans viewed as Gods by native peoples awed by strangeness and technology.

EXAMPLES OF REPEATED HISTORICAL THEME

Columbus Hernan Cortez

Captain John Smith

Lewis and Clark

Captain Cook

As a God A God…Princess

Dona Marina “Princess”

Pocahontas

Sacagawea

A God, Hawaiian Princess

One of the latest manifestation of nobility.

The image of a noble Aztec and maiden in distress is a common theme on tattoos, not just on black velvet.

Note that both individuals have strikingly European appearance.

What are the subliminal messages this conveys to the viewer?

Don Francisco de Arobe. Appointed as Governor of Esmeralda (Ecuador) by the King of Spain. Portrayed here with his sons.

One of the many side stories of the conquest of South America. African slave accompanied Pizarro in conquest of Inca.