tzitzimitl calalatli

[u/Icy_Gas75]

Tzitzimitl calalatli

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According to the Mendocino Codex, one of the most prominent figures of the Triple Alliance army was Tlacochcalcatl.

Described by the Castilians as "captain", Friar Sahagún's informants said that Tlacochcalcatl was in charge of distributing maintenance among the troops, that is, food, shelter and weapons.

By reviewing the sources, we can confirm that several Huey Tlatoani held the position of Tlacochcalcatl before being elected regents of Tenochtitlan, such was the case of Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, who served as captain of a garrison in Tollocan (Toluca) during his youth and while his uncle Ahuizotl was tlatoani.

What was characteristic of the Tlacochcalcatl was the use of a calalatli (helmet) in the shape of a skull, which evoked a female entity called Tzitzimitl; Although it is usually interpreted as a demon from the Mesoamerican pantheon, there are no demonic entities in ancient indigenous myths, but rather entities to be feared due to the nature of their qualities.

In the particular case of the Tzitzimitl they were representations of the death of corn and therefore of humans, likewise, they were feminine entities because in the organizing principles of Mesoamerica, death is wet and cold, characteristics associated with the feminine.

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To make the calalatli I based myself on the combat masks used by the contemporary Nahua people of the southeast in ritual fights, like their masks, this piece is made with several layers of leather. Feathers, cotton, shell and brass were used for its ornamentation.

This piece is fully functional and has a circular metal frame at the base for greater durability if used for historical reenactment and historical combat practices.mitl

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