aztectimes

[aztectimes]

Yea, but the problem is that I don't know how to get back!

BLOG A: A game of Patolli

As I mentioned in my last post, I was able to get to the Aztec times. As I was passing by the city trying to get back, I found these 2 men playing a game. One of them was in rags and mud covering his leg. The other had slightly nicer clothes, stained with paint.

MAN 1: Here, I’ll teach you

MAN 2: you do know that I have standards, right? I don’t want to play with a filthy farmer like you.

MAN 1: oh, so you, a noble potter artist, wouldn’t mind getting shamed for not knowing how to play when you go back home?

The potter, I presume, shook his head, and they continued. The farmer pulled out a board that had a big X in the middle. The X had squares with the 4 middle ones being a slight shade of grey and the around the ends, it had 2 black triangles.

FARMER: Here, your pebbles

Six blue pebbles fell into the potter’s hand as the farmer grabbed 5 beans, one side being colored in black.

POTTER: what are those for?

FARMER: to know how many squares you need to move your pebbles.

POTTER: okay, how do you play?

FARMER: so you need all your pebbles to go from this end,

The farmer points to the ‘start’, in the grey square.

FARMER: and back. You can only put your token on the square if you get one black bean facing upward. And on your turn, you toss the beans, and it tells you how many squares you need to move.

POTTER: so why did you tell me to bring my treasure?

FARMER: good, you mentioned it. This is also a gambling game

POTTER: oh, for the love of Chicomecóatl, I have no luck!

I wanted to stay and watch the potter suffer, but from the corner of my eye, I could see a guard coming. He looked me right in the eye before shouting something. As a normal person would do, I ran. I was able to snap this photo of the gameboard before hightailing my way out of there.

I’m sorry it’s quite blurry, but I didn’t feel like being sacrificed today

I'll catch you up soon!

[aztectimes]

THANK YOU FOR REPLYING!

and i know right?!

I just tried 'bitter water' it has a very interesting taste. It's like....hot chocolate but bitter. It's different, but very good!

[aztectimes]

MASTERLIST

click to go to post:

BLOG A: A game of Patolli

BLOG C: Chinampas; creative genius

BLOG D: Focus. On. The. RATTLE!

REFRENCES

COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE :D

Bee

Bianca

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!

please take care of yourselves and make sure to drink water!

[aztectimes]

References

for both images and information

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/images-10/1043_03_2.jpg

Britannica. (n.d.). Retrieved from Chicomecoatl: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chicomecoatl

'CHINAMPAS': THE ANCIENT AZTEC FLOATING GARDENS THAT HOLD PROMISE FOR FUTURE URBAN AGRICULTURE. (2021, August 22). Retrieved from TheArchaeologist: https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/chinampas-the-ancient-aztec-floating-gardens-that-hold-promise-for-future-urban-agriculture

Ian Mursell, L. O. (n.d.). Aztec rattle figurines. Retrieved from MexicoLore: https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/artefacts/aztec-rattle-figurines

Museo Nacional de Antropología, M. C. (n.d.). mexicolore. Retrieved from Images: https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/images-10/1043_01_2.jpg

Pinterest. (n.d.). Retrieved from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/833869687231557700/?nic_v3=1a6B7BiKb

Pinterest. (n.d.). Retrieved from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/356488126724449817/?nic_v3=1a6B7BiKb

The Archaeologist. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/chinampas-the-ancient-aztec-floating-gardens-that-hold-promise-for-future-urban-agriculture

What drinks did the Aztecs drink? (n.d.). Retrieved from Interview area: https://manjam.dcmusic.ca/frequently-asked-questions/what-drinks-did-the-aztecs-drink#:~:text=The%20Aztecs%20also%20grew%20and%20ate%20chocolate%2C%20with,Mexico%20as%20atole.%20View%20complete%20answer%20on%20sites.google.com

Why did they call them ‘chinampas’? Asked by College House Junior School. Chosen and answered by Our In-House Team. (2009, January). Retrieved from MexicoLore: https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/ask-experts/why-did-they-call-them-chinampas

[aztectimes]

BLOG D: Focus. On. The. RATTLE!

I recently found this doll in a house I was staying at. The doll was molded from two molds pressed together, creating that 3D look. Inside was 2 ceramic balls that rattle. The design of the doll is shaped like a grown adult woman and the hair is dressed with 2 prongs which represented motherhood and marriage. The hairstyle is representative of the goddess Xochiquetza, the patroness of sexuality and fertility, and of midwives and healers. The mothers also carry one or two smaller figures which are supposedly their children. These rattles are used for healing purposes, for both the baby and the mother. Human reproduction, at least in the Aztec ages, is more than a single physical act, it is cultural and spiritual support for the mother-to-be. So how were these even used? These rattles were made to be held, not stood. The percussive rattling is used to ‘block or override pain’. The soothing sound of a rhythmic beat was easier for the woman to focus on something else, providing serenity and compressing time. Which, interestingly, is quite similar to what doctors do in the current century. Not literally shaking a rattle, but telling the patient to ‘focus on breathing'. Although, returning back to the design, the distinct features of the breasts and the baby are used to during birth, reminding the woman of their place in society. Which is the importance of reproduction and controlling production. Which is reminded of when the percussive beat is sounded, reminding them of their place when the birth is happening, almost as a subliminal message to the mother-to-be. The rattle is both therapeutic and hypnotic to the mother-to-be, but it has a significant role in the Aztec culture.

very interesting!

Image above: the goddess Xochiquetza

Image above: The rattle dolls

I'll catch you up next time!

[aztectimes]

I just tried 'bitter water' it has a very interesting taste. It's like....hot chocolate but bitter. It's different, but very good!

[aztectimes]

come to think of it, I don't know how my phone still works.

[aztectimes]

You know, this period of time is very smart!

[aztectimes]

BLOG C: Chinampas - creative genius

Chinampas are these wonderful farms in the water, which is something I never knew existed and quickly took my attention. These farms are rectangular and are built in shallow lake beds around the Mexico valley. The reason why they are built in the water is for moisture purposes, so the soil is continuously moist and fertile. These gardens are also referred to as ‘floating gardens’ because chinampas are islands that were created by weaving reeds with stakes beneath the lake, creating underwater fences. Some of them had 4 willow (ahuextotl) trees planted in the corners of the perimeter to provide a deep foundation. Then a buildup of soil and vegetation would be loaded into these ‘fences’ until the top layer of soil is visible on the lake’s surface. These agricultural lands made an illusion that the fields were ‘floating’, hence the name ‘floating gardens. The garden is about 100 meters by 5 to 6 meters. I don’t think I am familiar with this strategy, at least not in NZ. In Auckland, we use the more commonly used farms, like for kumara we plant them in the ground and water them daily. Here, it seems like the farms are made in the lake for moisture. It is quite hot and the ground on land is quite dry. And another comparison I can make is the fact that ‘international’ doesn’t exist, so the city gets that freshest food in the market every day. Even though NZ has supermarkets that have imported food and ingredients, something to note is the farmer’s market, nevertheless, the Aztecs’ only source of food is from the market. Overall, this is a fascinating discovery of this culture’s agriculture, the floating gardens are almost seen as advanced for this generation, at least, to me.

Here is a drawing I found online:

I’ll catch you up next time!

[aztectimes]

The time machine won't let me go back, I need another cup of sugar. Which, surprise surprise, THEY DON'T HAVE.

[aztectimes]

you know, the food here is really good.

[aztectimes]

BLOG A: A game of Patolli

As I mentioned in my last post, I was able to get to the Aztec times. As I was passing by the city, trying to get back, I found these 2 men playing a game. One of them was in rags and his leg was covered in mud. The other had slightly nicer clothes, stained with paint. I stayed to

MAN 1: Here, I’ll teach you.

MAN 2: You do know that I have standards, right? I don’t want to play with a filthy farmer like you.

MAN 1: Oh, so you, a noble potter artist, wouldn’t mind getting shamed for not knowing how to play when you go back home?

The potter, I presume, shook his head, and they continued. The farmer pulled out a board that had a big X in the middle. The X had squares with the 4 middle ones being a slight shade of grey and the around the ends, it had 2 black triangles.

FARMER: Here, your pebbles

Six blue pebbles fell into the potter’s hand as the farmer grabbed 5 beans, one side being colored in black.

POTTER: what are those for?

FARMER: to know how many squares you need to move your pebbles.

POTTER: okay, how do you play?

FARMER: so you need all your pebbles to go from this end . . .

(The farmer points to the ‘start’, in the grey square.)

FARMER:. . .and back. You can only put your token on the square if you get one black bean facing upward. And on your turn, you toss the beans, and it tells you how many squares you need to move.

POTTER: so why did you tell me to bring my treasure?

FARMER: good, you mentioned it. This is also a gambling game

POTTER: oh, for the love of Chicomecóatl, I have no luck!

I wanted to stay and watch the potter suffer, but from the corner of my eye, I could see a guard coming. He looked me right in the eye before shouting something. As a normal person would do, I ran. I was able to snap this photo of the gameboard before hightailing my way out of there.

I’m sorry it’s quite blurry, but I didn’t feel like being sacrificed today

I'll catch you up soon!

[aztectimes]

I think i created a time machine

so, I accidentally baked a Time Machine, that only goes to Aztec Times. I will keep updating here. It's quite interesting!