Heroes & Legends of Mesoamerica

A Brief Introduction

Interview with Margarita Victoria Salazar Canseco

Professor at the Institute for Research in Humanities at the Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, attached to the area of ​​Education and Culture

Inquiry Question: What are the key myths and legend that shape and influence the beliefs and ideas of the Oaxacan people?

• Myths and legends of Mesoamerica have been told going as far back to the Preclassic Era from 2000-250 BCE and continued until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s
• Over the years, different indigenous groups would add, modify, and/or combine details to the stories to fit their culture and surroundings
• The three "formative myths and legends" important to the people from the regions surrounding Oaxaca include:
• La Donají
• Quetzalcóatl
• El Rey Kondoy (Condoy)

La Donají

La Gran Alma que dio su vida para salvar a su pueblo, los zapotecas, de las fuerzas invasoras de los mixtecas...

Cuyo cuerpo se perdió, pero de su cabeza creció una hermosa flor.

“Quetzalcóatl” Mitología del pueblo del sol.

La leyenda del Rey Kondoy

Themes & Connections

• The heroes/gods act in service to humanity (el pueblo)
• Donají works to ensure the safety of her people (Zapotecs)
• Quetzalcóatl creates humans and teaches them valuable skills → farming (maize), hunting & tool making (stonework, weaving, mosaics), astronomy (creates calendar)
• El Rey Kondoy travels throughout the land to find knowledge and wealth to bring back to his mother and people (Mixe), builds the palace at Mitla, single-handedly defeats enemy armies, created the Tree of Tule

Themes & Connections

• There are consequences for their actions
• Donají is killed for helping her people
• Quetzalcóatl is tricked into getting drunk and goes into self-exile until he can atone for his poor behavior
• Kondoy leaves his people, never to be seen again, but still a present reminder (inspiration) to his people

Themes & Connections

• Connections to nature and important locations
• The death of La Donají explains the origin of the lily (kirio)
• Quetzalcóatl is the reason why people exist, have maize, and understand the stars
• Kondoy created the Tree of Tule and the Palace of Mitla

Extensions & Applications

Classroom Activities

• Comparative Analysis: Discuss how are the myths and legends of Mesoamerica similar and different to the myths of other cultures (Greek/Roman, Middle East, Africa, Asia etc.)
• Identify "Modern Heroes" (pop culture, first responders, community leaders) who embody the characteristic of mythological heroes and legends and compare them to ancient heroes. Discuss and debate what qualities make a hero, comparing similarities and differences from different cultural perspectives.
• Create Your Own Myth: Students invent their own mythological character or hero demonstrating the traits and characteristics of classic heroes and write a short story about their adventures in a modern setting
• Mythological Creature Design: Students design and draw their own mythological creature, describing its powers and habitat.
• Create Original Myths & Legends: Stories: Develop an original story to explain a natural phenomena or cultural tradition currently practiced or observed. ("How were the Great Lakes formed?" "Why do we drive on the right side of the road?")

Leyenda Animada del Dios Mexica Huitzilopochtli