Aztecs

Origins

During the postclassic period (900–1500 CE), the dominant lineages within the Basin of Mexico [Page 100]placed their origin in the mythical location of Chicomoztoc (“Seven Caves Place”). Seven distinct tribes left these caves in primordial times to populate the Basin of Mexico. One tribe, however, traced its origin to the city of Aztlan (“Place of Herons”). It is unclear whether Aztlan was a place within Chicomoztoc or whether it was a separate place entirely. Regardless, this tribe left Aztlan, following its leader Mexi to become known as the Mexica.

Mexi led his people following a teotl known as Huitzilopochtli (“Hummingbird of the South”). The term teotl is often translated as “god,” “deity,” or “a personification of some force of nature.” None of these is entirely accurate, but each hints at the roles of teteo (plural of teotl) in important ways. Although abstract, one should think of teteo as complex entities of power that interact with each other and with humans in multiple ways. Huitzilopochtli's mythic birth sheds light on his character as the primary teotl of the Mexica. The story begins with his mother, Coatlicue (“Serpent Skirt”), sweeping the steps of her home. A ball of feathers stirred up by her sweeping lands in her bosom and magically impregnates her. Her pregnancy causes controversy among Coatlicue's grown children, who are led by the eldest, Coyolxauhqui (“Bells on Her Face”). Coyolxauhqui plots with her brothers to kill her mother before the baby is born, but the child within, Huitzilopochtli, discovers the plan and consoles his mother. He is then born in full battle regalia and immediately attacks and disposes of his sister, Coyolxauhqui, along with their 400 brothers. Having defeated his adversaries, Huitzilopochtli becomes a teotl of war with a solar affiliation.

In historic times, Huitzilopochtli communicated with the Mexica priests through their dreams along an epic journey from Aztlan. The tribe traveled as chichimeca (“nomadic people”), killing rabbits for food and engaging cities in battle. They soon established a reputation as warriors and were from time to time brought into alliances with established cities as mercenaries.

Along their journey, the Mexica fractured into opposing lineages. The lineage that would continue on, the Tenochca, remained dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and the quest for their promised land: Tenochtitlá n (“Place of Stone and Cactus”). When they finally arrived at the site of a cactus so tall that an eagle kept its nest at the top, in the early 14th century, they found the land to be virtually inhospitable. They worked tirelessly, adapting the agricultural practices of their neighbors to transform Tenochtitlán into an island city, which almost 200 years later the Spaniard Bernal Díaz del Castillo described as “rising from the water, all made of stone, seem[ing] like an enchanted vision from the tale of [Atlantis]. Indeed, some of our soldiers asked whether it was not all a dream” (1984, p. 16).

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