| Related sites for http://www.inside-mexico.com/prehispanic.htm |
| Sexual_Abuse_of_Males__Prevalence,_Lasting_Effects,_and_Resources Discussion and review of statistics on the sexual abuse of male children. | | Mississippi_Band_of_Choctaw_Indians Includes a time line of the tribe's history and information about culture, government services, tribal economics and enterprises, and investor relations. | | Berrong_Family Descendants of Henry Berrong of Hiawassee Georgia. Family stories, trees and photographs. | | Matusevich\'s_Planet History of the name including various pedigrees and associated research interests. | | Left-Wing_Communism__an_Infantile_Disorder Lenin's 1920 pamphlet against ultra-leftism and anarchism. | | Alinda_Bartlett Live one to one tarot readings, photo and voice clairvoyant. Psychic specializes in relationships, love and career. Established 15 years. | | Bougainville_-_The_Forgotten_War_in_the_South_Pacific A list of wrongs against the island nation. | | The_Order_of_the_Sons_of_Hermann_in_the_State_of_Texas Not for profit fraternal life insurance company operating in Texas only. | | Christian_Connection_Network Live chat, pen pals, bulletin board, singles, Bible Study, prayer request, questions and answers, and general topics. | | The_Navigators_Philippines The Philippines branch of an international Christian organization seeks to evangelize and establish disciples of Jesus Christ. | | Goetic_Demons Certified Technical Remote Viewer Aaron C. Donahue student of Ed Dames from the TRV Institute demonstrates this remarkable technology through use with the Goetic Demons. | | “You_Can_Pray_in_School”_Campaign Encouraging and supporting prayer in schools by chartering organized local groups. | | BRAMA_-_Gateway_Ukraine Multiple Resource site focusing on Ukraine and Ukrainians | | Indiana_Criminal_Justice_Institute Links to various sections within the Institute, including an online, searchable Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry. | | Daily_Readings_From_Autobiography_of_a_Yogi The site gives daily readings from Yogananda's classic autobiography from his 1946 first edition. | | Review_of_Chông_Yagyong__Korea\'s_Challenge_to_Orthodox_Neo-Confucianism Review by John L. Goulde, reprinted from the 1998 Acta Koreana. Discusses the significance of Tasan's "classical learning." | | Middle_East_Media_Research_Institute_(MEMRI) The institute offers translations and analysis of Arabic, Farsi, and Hebrew media, including videos of tv broadcasts and cartoons, with focus on controversial political issues. The reports are sorted | | Survivors_Hope For survivors of any type of abuse with information, a chat room and forums for advice and support. | | John_F__Kennedy_Inaugural_Address Text, audio, and video of JFK's inaugural address delivered on January 20, 1961. | | Remembering_September_11,_2001 Legacy.com section of tributes for those who died onboard American Flight 11. |
|
Aztec Fun & GamesA:hover {color: red; font-weight: bold}function Go(){return}Your browser does not support script  Aztec Fun &Games by May Herz and Angie Galicia Sabas Que... Did you know that... the sport match shown in the movie: The Road to El Dorado, was played by Aztec rulers?  CLICK to view our beautiful Mexican Art Prints for Sale Dawn dyes the contour of the mountains red. A perfumed, warm breeze dominates the air. Dew slides through the branches of trees and the petals of countless flowers. Far away, the ancestral sound of a sea snails conch is heard. That is how the Aztec Empire awoke. The Aztecs worked hard to build their city and were then able to enjoy every day in their beautiful and colorful Tenochtitlan. They themselves erected their capital over an islet, and made it flourish until they extended their power to the borders of the Anauhuac valley. With impressive tenacity and creativity, they founded their capital over a marshy lake. They used what we call chinampas, which were inter-woven trunks or branches 2.5 meters in diameter, and on them they would pile mud from the bottom of the lake. Then they were able to use this "land" to plant crops in. They placed these chinampas in a fixed position by planting a type of tree whose roots anchored at the bottom of the lake. The chinampas were actual "floating gardens", much like what exists today in Xochimilco. Ever since they discovered agriculture, the Aztecs called themselves "Agricultural Warriors", as only a war could call them away from their beloved land. They dedicated 200 days of the year to taking care of their crops, corn, beans, squash and other vegetables. The other 165 days were dedicated to resting, though not to vacation. During this period of rest, each member of the family worked on a particular type of craft; the men usually dedicated themselves to pottery and the making of sandals; the women in the making of the family's clothing. This way they relaxed and they allowed the land to rest as well so that it would continue being so generous to them. As we can see, the Aztecs didn't really have much of a vacation, but they did have a lot of holidays. Their year was divided into 18 months and each month was dedicated to one or various gods, making the holidays plenty. On these special days, the women wore beautiful huipiles - sleeveless blouses with ornate necklines which were worn over skirts - and the men painted their faces with green, red or yellow circles, they greased their hair and wore feathered headdresses. The dancers, which could be as many as 1,000 to 5,000 people, formed large circles and, at the beat of drums called ueuetl, and the sound of the rattle bells, they danced and sang in honor of their gods. Each circle was formed by dancers of similar age groups and social classes. For example, the elders from high social classes were in the inner circle, while the younger members and those from lower classes were in the outer circles. The dances they performed had a highly religious meaning, which is why it was very important to execute every step with exactness. They also had dances for their own enjoyment, more personal in nature, in which they danced for personal or familial events. The Aztecs also had spectacular dances such as the Voladores de Papantla ,the Sun Dance, in which the dancers climbed a high pole or mast; they tied themselves to long cords wound around the pole. They would jump off the pole, and the cords would unwind making them look like flying birds. When the Spaniards saw this dance they were extremely impressed by their courage and dexterity Equally spectacular was the Tlachtli, a game which was played with a ball. This game was a match in which two teams participated. The field, in the form of an H between two walls, was divided in two, each team having its own part. The object of the game was to pass an eight-to-ten-pound rubber ball to the side of the other team. The ball was not to be touched by the hands or arms of the players; they could only use their feet and hips. There was a stone ring on each side of the field, through which the players were to pass the ball. The first team to achieve this difficult task won the game. The players wore leather belts to protect them from the strikes of the other team. Only the ruling class could participate in this sport. However, just about anyone could watch, and generally there was heavy betting involved. They would bet large quantities of gold, their slaves, fine clothing - even their own freedom and that of their families! Another game they enjoyed betting on was Patolli. It was played on a kind of table rock in the form of a cross, and at each of the four extremes there were cells or squares. Beans marked with dots symbolizing numbers were used. Each player threw his beans and advanced on the board. The first player to make his way around the board won the game.  Both Tlachtli and Patolli had a religious meaning as well and before playing, the players would pray. Another form of entertainment was hunting. Poor people hunted to increase their food supply or to trade, while the wealthy did it for fun. There were also bow and arrow competitions and rowing contests on Texcoco Lake as well. Children enjoyed watching these games and participating in races against one another. Their parents made marbles, whistles, rattles, bows and arrows for them. Just like any child from any time in history, they would imitate their elders, pretending to be soldiers, hunters, dancers, businessmen, parents and teachers. They also enjoyed riddles and were very skilled in inventing their own. As we know, the Aztecs were very good speakers and did a lot of praying. They would miss an opportunity to offer speeches and poems to any one who was willing to listen. Going to the marketplace was, and still is, a great source of fun. They would delight in seeing the merchandise that the pochtecas, or traders, brought from the most remote places of Mesoamerica. They would talk with the traders and with their neighbors, and sometimes they even fought among themselves until the authorities would come to solve the problem. As you see, the Aztecs were not only excellent warriors, they were hardworking people that also knew how to spend their spare time! If you'd like to learn more about the pre-Hispanic cultures we recommend: Mexican Pre-Hispanic Cultures video. J Join Our Mailing List to Receive Updates:  1999-2007 Inside Mexico All rights reserved. All articles, images, pictures and design contained in this website are the property of Inside Mexico and protected by copyright law. NO part of this site can be used without previous authorization. We will be glad to authorize, upon request, educational non-profit projects and require that credit be given to Inside Mexico and a link back to our site. may@inside-mexico.com Terms of Use & Privacy Policy |
|
