The Myth, Magic & Espiritu de Aztlán

*Editor’s note: this is a ¹guest post by J.M. Valle aka Raza Del Soul.

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Historically, Chicanos have referenced the Disturnell “Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo” map (1847), laying out land stolen from Mexico. In this map, there is a site located in the four corners region of the US Southwest titled "Ancient Homeland of the Aztecs", known as Aztlán, where the world renowned Aztecs 1st began their journey southward towards Mexico City to become the Mexica Empire.

Its mythical origin story is depicted on the Mexican flag.

(Disturnell “Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo” map c.1847)

(Closer look at the "Ancient Homeland of the Aztecs" site on the Disturnell “Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo” map c.1847)

After the Mexican Revolution (1920), the journey back to the US Southwest would inspire folklore, resistance & a new identity defining itself by the experience of young Chicanos on stolen land proudly referred to as Aztlán.

(Diego Gutiérrez Map c.1562)

(Closer look at the "Chicana" and “Aztlán” spelled “Astatlam” sites on the “Diego Gutiérrez Map” c.1562)

The Diego Gutiérrez Map (1562), 70 years after Spanish colonization, & only 40 years after the conquest of Mexico, was made public during the 1940's but circulated in European museums among the bourgeois class.

For decades, what could have been the most important document to La Chicanada was kept under wraps.

In 2014, professor Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl made a discovery; two sites or cities on this map near Yuma, Arizona & El Pinacate, Sonora, MX, titled "Chicana" & what appears to be an attempt to inscribe "Aztlán."

Imagine the Pachucos taking them sailors on with this in their hearts! Imagine the Chicano Movement with this ammo!

(Closer look at "Tenochtitlan, what is now modern Mexico City, the capital of the Triple Alliance or Aztec Empire" site on the Nuremberg map c.1524)

(Actual photo, birds eye view of the modern island-town of Mexcaltitán de Uribe, Nayarit, MX)

What may be the strongest evidence of Aztlán or at least its documented journey southward, is the recent designation of the island-town of Mexcaltitán, Nayarit, MX as a "Pueblo Mágico" by the Mexican gov. (2020).

Mexcaltitán predates the Aztec Empire, & like Mexico City, its island is man-made & constructed over a lake.

Aztlán has been described in codices as a land of heron birds, the island of Mexcaltitán is full of them. Just like Mexico City, the island has its pathways forming a cross to represent the tradition of the four directions. Mexcaltitán's origin story is captured in an ancient stone tablet, mirroring the origin story of the Aztecs, except with a heron instead of an eagle.

Wherever Aztlán may be, it remains in the hearts & spirits of la pinta, our varrios, on college campuses, in public office, in our homes & in oral tradition.

• J.M. Valle aka The Homeboy Mad aka Raza Del Soul

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