The social structure of the Nahuatl culture of the Valley of Mexico, was constituted by: Calpullis, Nobles, Priests and others. This composition of their society and their day is an essential fragment to understand this culture; That is why we invite you to know how the Social Organization of the Nahuatl through this article.
The Social Organization of the Nahuatl
To know what the social structure of the Nahuatl was like, it is necessary to know a little more about this tribe. The Nahuas were an indigenous group whose population dominated half of the territory called the Valley of Mexico, in this wide valley different indigenous communities congregated, such as: the Otomi who lived in the most desert parts, in scattered ranches; They built their houses with agave leaves, and supported themselves with harvesting and hunting activities, in addition they did not develop agriculture due to the unproductive soil of their habitat.
These usually walked through the markets of the nearby Nahua cities, and they used to show up with clothes and tattoos; Despite the fact that the Nahuas traded with them, they viewed them with some contempt, that is, as wild mountain individuals. There were also the Mazahuas, these had a way of life very similar to that of the Otomi and the Matlazincas, they seem to have been absorbed into city life in some towns in the Tepaneca area.
Finally, we find the Nahuas who were generally located on the banks of rivers, in urban settlements and on land with better agricultural opportunities, where they installed very complex irrigation systems; Likewise, according to anthropological and archaeological studies, it has been proven that these were ancestors of the Mexicas or Aztecs.
All these ethnic groups residing in the Valley of Mexico had something in common, their language; They all had the same handling of the Nahuatl language, in addition to their beliefs where they had the conception that they had all arrived in Mexican lands by divine mandate.
Firstly, the Nahuatl were represented and led by a first figure who was identified with the name of Tlatoani, this was the one who governed and administered all aspects related to the Nahuatl community, extending through Altepetl, which was his own territorial space.
Just as, in the Valley of Mexico and the rest of the indigenous groups that resided in the Mesoamerican region, the right of peasant societies to have their own lands was respected. The Tlatoani did not refute this right, but instead demanded certain taxes from the communities that were perceived as a payment to the king for his protection and for his generous administration of the religious, mercantile and judicial matters of the kingdom.
The individuals that made up these communities usually lived with enough prudence, these did not give rise to considerable differences in terms of wealth within the communities. All family groups carried out their work on the land that corresponded to them to earn their livelihood; and globally as a community by jointly working the communal lands, they generated what was necessary to pay the taxes of the kingdom, as well as to contribute to the community fund.
These resources allowed financing the expenses related to the celebrations as well as the cults and rites carried out by the community; In addition, with this they provided support to homeless people or with very few resources to survive such as: widows, orphans, among others.
In the places populated by Nahuas in the Valley of Mexico, there were groups that carried out activities such as fishing, hunting and harvesting fruits, a distinction is made between them, since some tasks, due to their complexity, had to have a fully own and distinctive; In this way, there were various groups specialized in fishing, bird hunting, seaweed harvesting, among other activities.
These non-agricultural communities went to markets to exchange or barter their produce for produce of agricultural origin to supplement their livelihood. However, it is not very clear how they paid taxes to the Nahuatl kingdom and how the rights to their workspaces were assigned.
Another particularity of this society was that there were individuals who applied themselves to crafts; for example, there were areas with groups specialized in making slab backpacks, there were basket makers, potters, among others. An area of great influence was that of themantecah, individuals applied to work with feathers for plumes, coats and tapestries. This group usually delivered a portion of their manufacture to the deposits of the king's residence, in this way they managed to be fully supplied with the products they required for their livelihood.
All individuals who performed any activity or work mentioned above, were socially organized in the Nahuatl culture as follows:
calpullis
These individuals were the members that made up the communities that were dedicated to exercising some type of specific activity, be it work on the land, hunting, crafts, among others. These also had a protective deity, to whom they paid devotion and praises in relation to the activity they carried out, these according to their gods they celebrated religious rituals. Likewise, the wealth that these produced had to send a part as payment to the taxes of the kingdom and the nobles, in exchange for their protection and other benefits.
nobles
Also identified as Pilli, these were part of the close circle of the king; and dedicated themselves to the administrative activities of the kingdom. In addition, they turned out to be very recognized and distinguished within the Nahuatl society, and to make themselves even more noticeable they tended to dress in cotton garments, sometimes long coats, earrings and pendants, and necklaces with precious stones and metals; also, they had the right to count on the help of several people at their service, and in their homes luxury shone everywhere.
These did not pay taxes, but they did enjoy the taxes paid for the work of the communities; furthermore, that when they had to appear in court, they received different treatment and were generally tried in a type of special court.
Priests
These were considered part of the nobility, however, they did not have the benefit of not paying taxes, which the Pillis did; therefore, these aside they had to produce in order to cancel said duties with the kingdom. In addition, to differentiate them from the nobles, they were required: not to wear cotton-type clothing, or coats. That is why they used another type of fiber for their clothing, they could not use accessories on their body and they could not participate in the administrative decisions of the kingdom.
These, in turn, worshiped the gods and therefore led religious acts and rites, as a sign of faith for the gods. Usually the type of offerings given to the gods included: self-flagellation or sexual abstinence; these were considered the wisest of the community.
marginalized
Considered bandits in society, they were excluded and frequently wandered at night through the different cities of this culture.
Fun facts
Next, information with significant data regarding its connection with the topic of the social organization of the Nahuatl is mentioned, these are:
- The Nahuatl communities had community labor as an unconditional amount. The tequio was the community work that each individual executed at the mercy of others, without receiving any charge. The individuals who did not contribute to the tequio were severely sanctioned by the authorities.
- After the arrival of the Spanish the oNahuatl customs and traditions were severely transformed.
- At present, the descendants of the Nahuatl maintain their traditions as autonomous communities, and try to preserve the important cultural and artistic heritage of their ancestors.
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