TRANSLATING GODS: TOHIL AND CURICAUERI IN MESOAMERICAN POLYTHEISM IN THEPOPOL VUHAND THERELACIÓN DE MICHOACÁN

Abstract

Although it was common in Mesoamerica to adopt foreign deities from other pantheons, less is known about the processes of “translating” foreign deities as a function of the divinities' attributes. This article analyzes the degree of intelligibility among pre-Hispanic K'iche’, P'urepecha, and Nahua peoples based on the study of patron gods Tohil and Curicaueri and their possible equivalents in the Central Highland pantheon. We can see that the search for divine homologues on the part of Mesoamerican peoples implies, beyond cultural homogeneity, an ongoing exchange of information, and recognition of the religion of the “other” based on equal standing, which tends to be a characteristic of polytheistic peoples in general.

Chasse et sacrifice en Mésoamérique (suite et fin)

“…Plus remarquable est la description, au Guatemala, d'une cérémonie d'intronisation réalisée durant la même vingtaine, Ts'iquín K'ij en maya quiché 37 . En outre, la divinité célébrée à cette occasion n'est autre que Tohil, l'équivalent maya quiché de Mixcoatl 38 .…”