Cantares Mexicanos – Songs of the Aztecs is the English translation of the original Aztec text written in Nahuatl. Scientists have failed to decipher the Cantares Mexicanos thrice during the last century. It was finally translated in 1985 by John Bierhost; this is the fantastic result. Cantares Mexicanos is now considered a cornerstone in American Indian literature. It consists of hundreds of pages of Aztec poetry and was written sometime between 1499 and 1590.
Download the pdf ebook here (571 pages):
Cantares Mexicanos – Songs of the Aztecs
What is Cantares Mexicanos about?
“Cantares Mexicanos” is a collection of ancient Nahuatl (Aztec) poems and songs that are among pre-Columbian Mexico’s most important literary and cultural works. “Cantares Mexicanos” translates to “Mexican Songs” in English. These songs and poems were initially composed in the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs and other indigenous peoples in the region.
The primary focus of “Cantares Mexicanos” is to celebrate the mythology, history, and cultural values of the Aztec civilization. Many of the poems and songs within this collection are dedicated to gods, goddesses, and important historical figures. They express devotion, praise, and gratitude to the deities of the Aztec pantheon, as well as recount legendary events and heroic deeds of past rulers and warriors.
One of the most famous poems in the collection is the “Hymn to Huitzilopochtli,” which venerates the Aztec god of war and the sun. Other notable pieces include the “Song of the Mexica Migrations,” which narrates the mythical journey of the Aztecs from their ancestral homeland to the Valley of Mexico, and the “Legend of the Suns,” which explains the cyclical creation and destruction of worlds in Aztec cosmology.
“Cantares Mexicanos” provides valuable insights into Aztec religious beliefs, cosmology, and historical narratives. It is essential for understanding pre-Columbian Mexico’s cultural richness and literary achievements.
An invaluable resource. Thank you for posting it here!