Article suitable for older students
Find out more14th May 2022
Book 1 of the Florentine Codex is quite slim, titled ‘The Gods’, and with short entries on individual Mexica (Aztec) deities...
1). Twentieth Chapter, which telleth of the god whose name is Napa tecutli (Lord of the Four Directions).
’It is said that he also belonged among the Tlalocs. His was a special place, a calpulli. The mat-makers worshipped him, and those who made... coarse reed mats.
’And when it was his feast day, it is said, he washed men, he bathed them, he shook, he sprinkled the dew upon them.... And another person represented him, a slave, whom they sacrificed during the year. They arrayed him [like the god], and in his hand went resting a green gourd vessel, in which was water. With a willow he sprinkled people... It was thus as if they prayed [to the god] that he would show them mercy. And it was as if one’s debt were paid to the degree that one’s goods, one’s possessions, were at hand.’ -----
2). Twenty-first Chapter, which telleth of those called the Tepictoton (Little Molded Ones), who belonged among the Tlalocs.
’And when it dawned, thereupon took place the distribution of the leftovers [of the feast]. At the distribution, only the relatives, the people of the household [took part]. It was called the distribution of the leftovers, when was consumed, used up, as much food and drink as remained, and of that which still remained of the dregs in the vessel, of wine...
’And all their adornment - their clothing, their paper shoulder-sashes, their stout reed staves, their lighting sticks, their cloud-bundles, and their green-stone bowls and their dishes, the little sauce bowls, the little wooden bowls, the clay cups, all these they left at Tepetzinco: they threw them into the water, off shore, at a place called Pantitlan.’ -----