Memory of the World; 2012 - unesdoc - Unesco

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Codex Techaloyan
de Cuajimalpaz
Inscribed 1997
What is it
An illustrated manuscript with texts written in Nahuatl
depicting indigenous life under Spanish rule in
17th century Mexico.
Why was it inscribed
The document is one of the few examples of the
writings of a pre-Hispanic culture to have survived
to the present day.
Where is it
Archivo General de la Nación, Mexico City, Mexico
The Techaloyan de Cuajimalpaz codex describes how
indigenous communities were established in various
places in the valley of Mexico City. It also contains a survey
of the land, a regional map, historical and economic data,
a census and a description of the local ecology.
Even after the conquest, the indigenous peoples
bore witness to the survival and lasting nature of the
cultural elements reflected in these codices (indigenous
documents). They were also effective tools for
communicating with the new dominant culture.
The manuscript is structured around a series of images
with accompanying text written in the local language
Nahuatl. The inscribed document also includes a Spanish
translation. The subject matter is framed in a way that
would make sense to the local population: the illustrations
relate directly to the lands belonging to a village. The map
208 Codex Techaloyan de Cuajimalpaz
shows man-made boundaries and villages in the hills and
also fertile areas where agave plants grow.
To modern eyes, the illustrations and descriptions
therefore provide a fascinating insight into the everyday
activities taking place during a period of cultural
assimilation. Illustrations show the Spanish conquerors
arriving in the area; where they all met; and how they
were baptized and buried. The manuscript thus functions
as a social commentary, giving the indigenous people a
history that helps them visualize the impact of the Spanish
conquest: for example, it shows where the new lords took
control of the irrigated land that had once belonged to the
native people.
The document was drafted by indigenous scribes
(tlacuilos) using their own writing system on vegetable
bark. It provides us with Christian and traditional
names, natural and artificial boundaries, the population
and the customs prevalent in that area of Mexico.
The manuscript’s importance lies in the fact that
documents such as these have preserved the testimony
of indigenous culture, as the vast majority of the
pre-Hispanic originals were destroyed. Conversion
to Christianity and adaptation to Spanish customs
led to the destruction of the vast majority of the
forms of expression of these societies. This makes the
Techaloyan de Cuajimalpaz codex a unique testimony
to this ancient culture.