Services on Demand
Journal
Article
Indicators
Cited by SciELO
Related links
Similars in SciELO
Share
Memoria americana
On-line version ISSN 1851-3751
Abstract
MAZZETTO, Elena. Entertainment and symbolic functions of dwarfs and hunchbacks in Mexica society. Mem. am. [online]. 2021, vol.29, n.1, pp.27-53. Epub June 30, 2021. ISSN 1851-3751.
This article proposes an approach to the functions performed by dwarfs and hunchbacks in the Mexica society and particularly in the courtly life of the sovereign. First, this paper aims to study these figures through their daily roles as emissaries and confidants of the tlatoani. Later, the study will focus on the staging entertainment activities by these individuals, ranging from music and dance to acrobatics. Another topic to be analyzed will be the sacrifice of dwarfs and hunchbacks to accompany the deceased sovereign in the hereafter, as well as atypical events such as drought or a solar eclipse. Through the information traced in the historical records of the 16th century, the article provides new interpretive clues to understand the importance of these figures in the pre-Hispanic Nahua society.
Keywords : dwarfs; hunchbacks; Nahuas; entertainment.