A tale of two ‘tlacuilos’

Ian, let Dinorah know that I would also love to have the codices and that they will have a safe home with me and respected. Not to mention loved.

i would love to receive copies of these codices, i’d even pay for copies if necessary. there are plenty of mexican american people here in l.a that would charish these includding myself. how can i get in touch with her ?

Reading Dinorah’s story both saddens me and gives me hope, since it illustrates the continuance struggle to keep our indigenous culture alive.
I am a leader at a YMCA in California and I was wondering if there was any way I could attain digital copies of Dinorahs amoxtli reproductions? This is for a mesoamerican introductionary lesson for young children.
Thanks!

Hello Dinorah: I found this page because I write stories and was doing research on which god or goddess was the patron of tlacuilos. On another page I read it was Xochiquétzal but cannot be sure. I’m glad to see there are people keeping the ancient cultures alive. Thank you,
Diana from Puerto Rico

After reading this article and visitors comments, u either want to laugh or cry, dont know which. Even if the majority of mexicans and its political and religious leaders are neglecting and demeaning prehispanic lore, the good news is that there will always be somebody to carry the torch of the wisdom of the elders. For that effect i would like to recomend the videos shown in YouTube, of the oral tradition held by Maestro Ocelocoatl, a present day recepient of ancient mexica wisdom. When you visit youtube, look for Ocelocoatl and you will find many of his wonderful and interesting lectures in spanish language.

Tlazocamatli, thank you, Dinorah and Ian for the respect and dedication you show for the Mexica traditions. There are many of us in the U.S. and Mexico who are working hard to learn, preserve and share our beautiful legacy. I believe that the discrimination Dinorah experienced is because there is still much bias against women. And those who are in power are still being held captive and defined by European ideas of culture (and values). And greed since they fear giving up land and power if they were to validate the claims of indigenous peoples to ancestral lands. Some of us are called mestizos, (As Cuauhtli and Tecpaocelotl pointed out) as a political term that emphasizes European ancestry (by force in many cases) rather than our Native roots. But we the descendents of the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico are returning to our spiritual home of Aztlan and showing through word and action that it is okay to stand up and speak out and share the medicine and wisdom of the Old Ones. Tiahui Mexica!

Dinorah, first of all thank you for all the hard work and deication, forgive US/Mexico for its ignorance of your wonferful work and Total lack of appreciation
I have learned more from Anglos (and I say that with respect) than from my own people, I read a book called “The Luck of Huemoc” by Daniel Peters which really installed pride in the courage and accomplishment of my people.
The only native Mexican that I know of that is trying to spread pride in our race is Xavier Quijas Yxayotl who does it at Knotts Berry farm in Buena Park, an amusement park. Its sad have to go to an amusement part to learn about our native music and dance but Im glad he is there.
If I had the power I would promote you all as honorary Eagle warriors for doing what WE should be doing for ourselves.
Regards

Ian couldn’t have said it better, I think it truly is sad that Europeans are more interested in our ancient Mexican history then we are. But at the same time, I think its great that English adults/youth are involved in these work shops and our getting educated on our past, mexicolore is doing a great job educating the world and letting everyone know that indigenous people were not savages as they have always been portrayed. The truth is the mexican government doesn’t care for our past, they want to continue to promote this whole “mestizo” identity where we can’t fully take pride on our indigenous blood. The racist criollos as Tecpaocelotl pointed out, continue to play a huge roll in the mexican government. I recommend that you guys at mexicolore would read a book called Mexico Profundo by Guillermo Bonfil Battalla, it addresses alot of the issues that continue to go on in Mexico since the conquest. It would give you guys a better idea on why things are the way they are in Mexico. Great article, thank you Ian!

I just saw the article “A tale of two ‘tlacuilos’”, that you wrote,
and I find it very interesting, and so unbelievable that other countries and other communities are doing more to try and save the beauty of the mexican history, than the same people in Mexico (except great people like Dinorah), and it’s true, because I sometimes ask people here, about their history and past, and they don’t seem to know!!
I’ve been disappointed about Education here in Mexico in many aspects since many years ago. I’ve learnt more about the aztecs
from you guys at Mexicolore, than from my 3 different schools for 8 years, here in Mexico, and personally I think that Mexico has a beautiful history, past and traditions!
Anyway, I find it a very good and honest article!!
(Joanna is a 17-year-old Mexican student in Querétaro)

The reproduction images look great.

The 90’s were a bad time for people like Dinorah. I remember hearing of Salvador Carrasco, writer and director of the Other Conquest, he wanted to donate the traditional home that was in the movie, the Mexican government refused it, so what he did instead was have it burned in the movie. Very sad.

I remember a while back I went to the Yoreme (most people know them as Mayo, considered the most neglected & ignored of the Mexican Natives in Mexico) community to help. I remember they ask for political officers to come to help them, but all they did was promote themselves for the upcoming election. Very sad.

We as a people must educate our people, not the government. Most of those in power are still the Criollos, who in a weird way, are still destroying our culture by doing the most simplest thing of all, by ignoring it.