5 TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS OF THE TOLTECS - HISTORY - 2025

The Toltecs were a civilization whose development is historically located between the 7th and 12th centuries AD in the center of present-day Mexico. They reached their maximum splendor from the 9th century AD until the sacking of the city of Tula in the middle of the 12th century AD, an event that marked the fall of their civilization.

Its importance was such that its cultural heritage influenced other peoples of the same region, such as the Mayans, who had settled there before them.

Toltec monument

The Toltecs enjoyed great prestige among these the Aztecs, who welcomed several of their cultural aspects as their own. Also, his time was seen by many pre-Columbian peoples as a golden age, where the arts, writing, goldsmithing and medicine predominated.

Main traditions of the Toltecs

The Toltec civilization had cultural traditions that make it one of the most influential in Central America before the arrival of Europeans. Among the most important are:

Warrior culture

Toltec society was multi-ethnic and highly stratified, whose most important caste was that of warriors, because for them without war, there was no stability in the universe.

It should be noted that they were religious warriors, so they spread the worship of their gods to minor peoples throughout their empire.

The warriors were organized in orders that represented animals such as jaguars or eagles and also gods such as Quetzalcóatl or Tezcatlipoca.

It is noteworthy that the warrior tradition was one of the most influential, since it is known that civilizations of great importance such as the Aztecs inherited it.

The worship of the gods

Another important caste was the religious one, being one of the predominant ones in the social pyramid. There was a group of wise men called the "Nonoalcas", priests of the deity Quetzalcóatl, "the Feathered Serpent" and the greatest deity of the Toltec pantheon.

This civilization is responsible for the foundation and dissemination of the cult of Quetzalcóatl and, several of its gods were welcomed in the pantheons of other Mesoamerican peoples.

The Mayans called Quetzalcóatl by the name of Kukulkán, the god of rain and responsible for feeding the world.

The architecture of Tula

The city of Tula had magnificent buildings; pyramids, palaces, courts of the ceremonial ball game, among others.

The grids of its streets were arranged in such a way that they were reminiscent of the Mayan city of Chichen Itzá. Likewise, the idea that acts of war contributed to universal balance was brought into his architecture.

Instead of columns, the most important buildings in Tula were supported by large sculptures of warriors known today as "Los Atlantes", the most emblematic sculptures of their civilization.

Human sacrifices

Human sacrifice was common in the Toltec culture, since hundreds of skeletons of people killed in this practice have been found in ruins identified with this civilization.

These sacrifices were offered above all to the rain god Tlaloc, since next to the skeletons were statuettes of this god. These rituals were done according to their beliefs to appease the gods, and that nature followed its normal course.

In the ceremonial plaza of Tula the "tzompantli" was placed, a banner of skulls from the heads of sacrificial victims.

Craftsmen and sculptors

The Toltecs were specialized sculptors and their works were well known and imitated among the peoples of Mesoamerica.

Its most important buildings were decorated with reliefs and sculptures of animals and gods, especially the "Feathered Serpent", in addition to the aforementioned "Atlanteans".

Another of his outstanding work was goldsmithing, so much so that, in the Aztec culture, the people who dedicated themselves to these tasks were called "Toltecs."

In the same way, we must mention their legendary pottery works, since it was said among the Aztecs that the Toltecs "taught clay to lie."

The legacy of the Toltecs

Despite the decline of the Toltecs in the 12th century AD, they left their cultural spirit impregnated in civilizations of great relevance such as the Mayans and the Aztecs.

The latter even came to venerate them as a legendary culture.

His contributions in art, architecture, social pyramid and worship of the gods contributed enormously to shape both historically and culturally pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, as we know it.

References

1. Christopher Minster: "10 Facts About The Ancient Toltecs." Taken from thoughtco.com. April 25, 2017.
2. Mark Cartwright: "Toltec Civilization." Taken from ancient.eu. September 9, 2013.
3. Rafael Roura Olvera: “Atlantes de Tula”. Taken from revistabuenviaje.com.
4. Kelly Heam. National Geographic News: “Ancient Tomb Found in Mexico Reveals Mass Child Sacrifice. Taken from news.nationalgeographic.com.
5. Thomson Gale: "Toltec Religion." Taken from encyclopedia.com.