Dogs in Mesoamerica

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Various sorts of dogs are known to have existed in pre-Spanish Mesoamerica, as shown by archaeological and iconographical sources, and the testimonies of the 16th-century Spaniards. In the Central Mexican area, there were three races: the medium-sized furred dog (itzcuintli), the medium-sized hairless dog (xoloitzcuintli), and the short-legged, furred dog (tlalchichi). Apart from other, more obvious functions, dogs were also used for food (10% of all consumed meat in Teotihuacan) and ritual sacrifice.

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[edit] Ritual

  • A dog was often buried together with the deceased, since it was believed to carry the soul of the dead over the underworld river.
  • The slime from dog's eyes was used by Aztec priests to see the dead and the gods of the underworld; their blood produced clairvoyance and facilitated communication with heaven.

[edit] Mythology

The mythological role of the dog varies.

  • According to the Huaxtecs, the first human beings had the dog for a mother.
  • According to the Aztecs, a couple which had survived the Deluge was transformed by the gods into dogs for breaking a taboo.

[edit] Animal Transformation

In Classic Mayan iconography, a terrifying dog is among the magical transformations of powerful human beings (such as sorcerers).

[edit] Calendar

In the Aztec calendar, the 10th day was Itzcuintli '(Common) Dog', corresponding to a Mayan day (Oc, Tz'i, or Elab/Elac) with the same meaning.







[edit] References

Raúl Valadez Azúa, The Pre-Columbian Dog. Voices of Mexico 36 (July-September 1996): 49-53.