Martin Ocelotl

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Martin Ocelotl (1496 – 1537?) was an indigenous priest who was put on trial during New Spain’s Inquisition. His last name Oceltol, means jaguar in Nahuatl.

Ocelotl was born into a powerful family from the town of Chinanta (Chinantl) located in Puebla, Mexico.[1] His father was a successful merchant while his mother was a well known and effective priestess. It is also believed that because he came from a powerful family, he was considered to be a religious prodigy at young age.

In 1519 Martin Oceltol was one of the many indigenous priest within the Aztec Empire to go before Montezuma to explain about the occurring phenomenon that were possible omens leading up to the time of the Spanish Conquest. After his appearance before Montezuma, Oceltol was imprisoned and was ordered to be put to death. However, in 1521 he was released before the fall of Tenochtitlan,now modern day Mexico City and was able to escape the disease and violence that was occurring in the city.

After the downfall of the Aztec Empire, Oceltol took up residence in the near by and former alliance state of Tetzcoco (Texcoco).It was there that Martin was able to continue his practice of being a successful shaman in the town. He also tried to establish a religious school in which many of the indigenous could be able to continue out their daily religious rituals. However, because the conquest had occurred many indigenous started to convert to Christianity in order to avoid the inquisition.

At the age of twenty nine, Ocelotl converted to the Roman Catholic faith and was baptism. He was given the Spanish name Martin. Although Martin was now baptized, he continued to practices the old ways[2]. Rumors about Oceltol power spread and many of the priests feared that Oceltol influence over the converted indigenous community. He was also very wealthy and was able to share his with many members within his area. Eventually, he would be accused of using witchcraft and practicing idolatry.

In the fall of 1536 he was place on trial before the Inquisition. According to several witness, they were able to recall how Martin Ocelotl used his power and was able to predict when rain was going to occur. Other witness brought up the fact he was the child from a power sorcerers and that she claimed to be a more powerful witch than her own son. Although there were was plenty of evidence to find Martin Ocelotl guilty, he claimed that he was innocent because he believed that he had done nothing wrong.

He case was eventually given to the Bishop Juan de Zumarraga of New Spain (Mexico) who had the final decision on what would happen to Martin Ocelotl. Finally on February 10, 1537, Martin Ocelotl was publicly humiliated in front of everyone and was accused of using witchcraft[3]. Martin Ocelotl was also banished from his home and forced to live life imprisonment in Seville, Spain under the watchful eye of the Inquisition.

Unfortunately, according to records the ship that carried Martin Ocelotl to Spain disappears. No one knows what happen to him after his departure.

[edit] References

  • J. Jorge Klor de Alva. "Martin Ocelotl:Clendestine Cult Leader." Edited by David G. Sweet and Gary B. Nash. Struggle & Survival in Colonial America. Los Angeles:University of Califorina Press. 1981.
  • Patricia Lopes Don. "Franciscan, Indian Sorceres, and the Inquisition in New Spain,1536-1543." Journal of World History. Vol. 17 Issue 1(March 2006).
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