As the sun rises on a day called 7-Monkey, the city of Tenochtitlan comes alive with the warm glow of the morning light mixing with smoke from the hearth fires. Xoquauhtli, an Aztec midwife, faces an important decision. The rainy season is ending, and the dry season is beginning. During the summer, the gods have blessed the people with plenty of corn, but now it’s time for the people to show their gratitude to the gods.
Xoquauhtli feels a strong duty to her patron goddess, Teteoinnan, who is a warrior goddess important to both childbirth and the protection of the city. Keeping Teteoinnan happy is crucial to avoid bad luck. Although Xoquauhtli should join the festival honoring the goddess, she knows one of her patients could go into labor at any time. She decides to check on her patient first. Seeing that the expecting mother is doing well, Xoquauhtli feels she can take a moment to participate in the festival. She leaves her apprentice in charge and heads to the city center.
As Xoquauhtli walks through the city, she sees women preparing for the festival by cleaning the streets and hanging decorations. When she arrives at the Great Pyramid, she finds two temples: one for the rain god, used in summer, and one for the war god, used in winter. The sun rises between these temples during the equinox, marking a special time. The festival kicks off with a fun mock battle between midwives and other healers. Xoquauhtli and her team join in, throwing flowers and laughing together.
In the midst of the festivities, a girl rushes in with urgent news: Xoquauhtli’s patient is in labor! She hurries back home, where the family has gathered to help with the birth. Xoquauhtli prepares with a prayer, focusing on her most important tools—her hands. She uses herbal remedies to help with the delivery, massages her patient, and prays to Teteoinnan, encouraging the mother to be strong. A healthy baby girl is born, and the family celebrates joyfully.
Xoquauhtli takes a few drops of water from a jade bowl, breathes on them, and places them on the baby’s tongue, calling her a precious gem and a little warrior. She tells the story of how the divine breathed life into the newborn, bringing her into the world. Turning to the new mother, Xoquauhtli praises her strength and courage. As night falls, Xoquauhtli tends to the hearth, keeping the fire alive.
With the baby resting in a woven basket by the fire’s warmth, Xoquauhtli realizes it’s nearly midnight. If she hurries, she can return to the temple for the festival’s grand finale. She makes her way back to the city center, where a priest carries a woman up the pyramid. This symbolic act marks the beginning of the new season and honors the gods. The woman will be reborn as Lady Teteoinnan, overseeing the initiation of new warriors.
This glimpse into Xoquauhtli’s day shows the balance between her duties as a midwife and her devotion to her culture and beliefs. Through her actions, she connects the everyday life of the Aztecs with their spiritual world, highlighting the importance of tradition and community.
Imagine you are Xoquauhtli, the Aztec midwife. Write a journal entry describing your day, including your thoughts and feelings as you balance your duties between helping a mother in labor and participating in the festival. Reflect on how you honor Teteoinnan and the significance of your role in the community.
Create a colorful poster advertising the festival honoring Teteoinnan. Include details about the mock battle, the significance of the equinox, and the role of midwives in the celebration. Use symbols and imagery that reflect Aztec culture and the themes of gratitude and renewal.
With your classmates, organize a mock battle similar to the one described in the article. Divide into teams representing midwives and other healers. Use flowers or other safe props to simulate the playful battle. Discuss how this activity might strengthen community bonds and honor the gods.
Research common herbal remedies used by Aztec midwives like Xoquauhtli. Create a presentation or poster detailing at least three herbs, their uses, and how they were believed to aid in childbirth. Discuss how these practices connect to modern herbal medicine.
Write a short story inspired by the Aztec belief in the divine breath of life. Imagine a mythical tale where a newborn is blessed by the gods. Include elements of Aztec culture, such as the importance of water, jade, and the role of midwives in welcoming new life.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided transcript:
—
The sun rises on a day known as 7-Monkey, casting a warm glow that mingles with the smoke rising from the many hearth fires of Tenochtitlan. The midwife, Xoquauhtli, faces a significant decision as the transition from the rainy season to the dry season begins. Throughout the summer, the gods have sustained the people with corn, but those fertile months are coming to an end. This day coincides with a festival that marks the shift from the season when the gods provide for the people to the season when the people honor the gods in return.
Xoquauhtli feels a sense of obligation to her patron, Teteoinnan, the female warrior goddess central to this festival. Teteoinnan plays a vital role in both childbirth and the defense of Tenochtitlan. It is important to keep her pleased to avoid misfortune. Although the midwife should participate in the festival, one of her patients may go into labor at any moment. Xoquauhtli decides to check on her patient first. The expecting mother has been well cared for, and Xoquauhtli believes she can take a moment to honor her goddess. She leaves her apprentice in charge and heads to the city center.
On her way, she observes women preparing for the festival by sweeping the streets and hanging gourds. Upon reaching the Great Pyramid, she finds two temples: one dedicated to the rain god for summer rituals and the other to the war god for winter ceremonies. The equinox is a time when the sun rises between these two temples. The ceremony starts with a playful mock battle between the midwives and other physicians. Xoquauhtli’s team participates enthusiastically, tossing flowers and other items while sharing laughter and friendly banter.
Suddenly, a girl arrives with urgent news: Xoquauhtli’s patient is in labor! She rushes back home, where the extended family has gathered, bringing their valuable experience to assist with the birth. Xoquauhtli prepares herself with a prayer, focusing on her essential tools—her hands. She administers herbal remedies to aid in the delivery, massages her patient, and offers a prayer to Teteoinnan, encouraging her patient to be strong. A healthy baby girl is born, and the family celebrates with joyful cries.
Xoquauhtli takes a few drops of water from a jade bowl, breathes on them, and places them on the baby’s tongue, calling her a precious gem and a little warrior. She shares the story of how the divine breathed life into the newborn, bringing her to this world. Turning to the new mother, Xoquauhtli praises her strength and resilience. As the night progresses, Xoquauhtli tends to the hearth, ensuring the fire remains alive.
With the baby resting in a woven basket near the warmth of the fire, Xoquauhtli realizes it’s almost midnight. If she hurries, she can return to the temple for the festival’s climax. She makes her way back to the city center, where a priest carries a woman up the pyramid. To mark the beginning of the new season and honor the gods, she will undergo a symbolic act representing the harvest, after which she will be reborn as Lady Teteoinnan, overseeing the initiation of new warriors.
—
This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any potentially sensitive or graphic content.
Aztec – A member of the indigenous people dominant in Mexico before the Spanish conquest of the 16th century. – The Aztec civilization was known for its impressive architectural achievements and complex social structure.
Midwife – A person, typically a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth. – In ancient times, a midwife played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of both mother and child during delivery.
Goddess – A female deity worshipped in various religions and cultures. – Athena was a revered goddess in Greek mythology, known for her wisdom and strategic warfare skills.
Festival – A day or period of celebration, typically for religious reasons. – The Diwali festival is celebrated with lights and fireworks, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.
Labor – Work, especially hard physical work, or the process of childbirth. – The construction of the Great Wall of China required the labor of thousands of workers over many years.
Patient – A person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment. – During the medieval period, patients often relied on herbal remedies provided by local healers.
Rituals – Established procedures and ceremonies that are often religious in nature. – The ancient Egyptians performed elaborate rituals to honor their gods and ensure a prosperous afterlife.
Traditions – Customs or beliefs passed down from generation to generation. – Many families have traditions that are celebrated during the holiday season, bringing everyone together.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. – The early Christian community gathered in secret to practice their faith and support one another.
Gratitude – The quality of being thankful and showing appreciation. – During the harvest festival, people expressed their gratitude for the bountiful crops and good fortune.
