Aztec Death Rituals
Jessie, our youngest contributor, always has a provocative perspective. This month, she explores the meaning of… Aztec death rituals.
Aztec Sacrifice
The story of death and the after life has just as much history as the story of human life and civilzation; it is congruent to human civilization. The Egyptians are known not only for their great pyramids, but also for their advanced prototype of scientific treatment of the dead, specifically mummification as seen by their Pharaohs. The same can be said for the Aztecs. They are known today as a great society devestated by Spanish colonization, but also stereotyped for their death rites, namely their human sacrifice to appease their gods. But the reality is that their processes in the afterlife is just as complex and interesting as that of the Egyptians.
Unlike contemporary Western perception of death and the afterlife (the way one acts in life defines afterlife), the Aztecs believed that one’s social role and the way that they die would direct them to their proper afterlife world. As an example, if an old person died of natural causes, they were sent to Mictlan (the underworld), ruled by skeletal god of death, Mictlantecuhtli. The bodies are wrapped in paper vestments and tied in a bundle, then cremated with a dog, to guide them through the underworld. The intentions were truly in a good way, you must admit.
Death also was not only a way to make sure souls ended up in the right place, but to balance the cosmic forces within their world. Children were sacrified to the rain gods as a thanks for the abundant crops of the harvest. While it may seem extreme in our modern Western mentality, death was seen as a natural part of their society. In a civilization where people are producing goods for the greater society, in death they are taken care of.
This is what history is all about, understanding the complex natures of societies, and how they affect humanity. Aztecs are well known for being wise people with an advanced knowledge of math and astronomy. The stereotype for being rather savage peoples is completely wrong. Even in death, they cared greatly for their citizens
By Jessica Shakarian
Jessica’s blogs
“Indigenous Body Art”
“Jose Guadalupe Posada”
“Calvario”
“La Catrina”
“La Virgen de Guadalupe Defendiendo Chicano Rights”
February 5, 2011 at 9:34 pm
i loved this article as i had studied the Aztecs and stilll learned even more about them. this aticle is thought provoking and i had never even thought of comparing them to the Eygptians. greatarticle,love your choice of subjects.
February 11, 2011 at 2:38 am
I’m always amazed at all cultures fascination with death and their different ways of dealing with it.
Good job!!
February 15, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Thank you for such a well-written article on a complex subject.
I am better able to understand your view point, as I now live in Mexico.
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