A study of the religion of the modern Aztlan political
movement
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AZTEC RELIGION AZTEC STUDENT RESEARCH GUIDE (C)1997-2005 (Thomas H. Frederiksen) All rights reserved
Sections
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FORWARD
For someone just beginning to learn about this historical subject, it is important to know one thing. There is and was no such thing as an 'Aztec'. The term Aztec was first used in the late 1800s in Europe to describe the collection of tribes present in the Central Mexican Valley at the time Cortez landed. The Mexica tribe was the tribe in power and held sway over the other local Indian tribes in central Mexico. The other tribes hated them. Cortez exploited that hate and used them to form an army to conquer the Mexica tribe. The term Aztec is so well used today that it has been intermixed within this study. Another point to remember is this was not an ancient civilization. The Mexica tribe was a late comer to the area and only cemented their power in the area as a dominant force around the year 1428. The arrival of Cortes and their overthrow in 1519-1521 ended their reign. The time period that the Mexica tribe completely dominated the area and the other Indian tribes, was only about a hundred years. A very short time.....historically. Of interest, when the Mexica tribe 'captured' another tribe, they were only interested in collecting tribute. They did not impose their religion or culture upon the other tribes. This study is focused upon the religion of the Mexica tribe itself, the ruling class at the center of the empire and the city on the lake. The Rome of Meso-America.
Contained in the above research is a pure look at the religion itself.
What follows below is research into the modern culture. The 'Old Ways' are
making a comeback here in the U.S. via the modern Aztlan and MEChA movements.
Modern incorporations of the Aztec Religion can be found throughout Mexico
today. Primarily through rural medicinal practices. Another area to
explore is the blending of certain rites and practices into the conversion of
the country at the hands of Spanish Priests. In some situations, the
'Old Ways', as they are known have adapted, in others, more quietly, the
rites and cults are attracting followers. The Gods are beginning to wake.........TF
(This material presented here has been abbreviated and formatted for presentation in this format from the larger work AZTEC STUDENT TEACHER GUIDE by Thomas H. Frederiksen all material and drawings (c)1997-2005, all rights reserved)
Writings on spiritual beliefs including dissertation on Aztec philosophy. VISIT THE TEMPORAL
TEMPLE The Webmaster of this page opens her HALL OF BELIEFS SECTION with the following
paragraph: My personal spiritual beliefs can be found in many "religions" and spiritual teachings. I
am an eclectic mix and find that my beliefs continue to evolve and grow as I learn more. I believe
that we are all spiritual beings, regardless of whether we are "religious". Spirituality is
evidenced in tender moments, kind gestures, thoughtful words. We are all part of one
whole and our consciousness of those connections with each other is part of that oneness,
part of making ourselves whole. In the section MESO-AMERICA, a discussion on the spirituality of
Aztec beliefs is presented.
Is Aztec dancing and the various dance groups putting on shows that tour here in the U.S. a representation of religious practice? Of interest I am curious how they developed their routines. To illustrate this point I lift from the 1971 publication of Diego Duran's work: The translator's notes, p. 163, relate an article in the "Excelsior", a Mexico City newspaper published August 14, 1966, and the story of two dancers who sustained injury during a Pole Dance ceremony at a state fair. The head of the group claimed that the accident was due to not sprinkling the base of the pole with chicken blood and a liter of mescal. Source - DURAN, Diego d. Trans. by Fernando Horcasitas and Doris Heyden. BOOK OF THE GODS AND RITES AND THE ANCIENT CALENDAR. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1971. AZTEC DANCE GROUP
THE HEART, BLOOD AND SOIL OF "OUR" ANCESTORS - MEChA and the deity Xipe Totec
Other Aztec related links:
Religion of the Mexica & Bibliography
Aztec Cannibalism: An Ecological Necessity?
The Aztec Account of the Spanish Conquest of Mexico