Calpulli refers to the organization of society that manifested itself during pre-Hispanic times in Mexico, which grouped families from various clans related through a common ancestor. Some scholars consider it to be the most basic unit of Aztec society.
The term "calpulli" comes from the Nahuatl calpolli, which means "big house" and refers to a political, social and economic organization of a group of clans. In fact, it is believed that the calpullis were able to support themselves through community work.
It was made up of a chief, who was a kind of communal leader and whose main function was the administration of the lands and the registration of crops, at the same time that he made decisions on other issues, with the help of a council of seniors.
Although one of the main features of the calpullis was their autonomy, they were subject to superior orders that they had to obey.
Origin
According to historians, the origin of the calpullis - as well as the rest of the settlements of the Mexica (or commonly called Aztecs) - is a bit confusing since it combines historical and legend elements.
It is understood that this town migrated from a place called Aztlán, a region that is not known today. It is even estimated that the Mexica had dominated hunting, irrigation systems and the cultivation of the land by the time that great migratory movement towards the basin of Mexico originated.
The settlement allowed the foundation of Tenochtitlán, in the first quarter of the s. XIV. At this point, some historians claim that the later organization of the Mexica community was due to the contact they made with other societies that had the city-state structure.
This allowed the establishment of the calpullis, a basic system where different clans were grouped together by the same common past and which functioned as administrative units, which offered tributes and offerings, and had an active participation in cults and wars.
Thanks to this, the government was possible during the great Aztec Empire, which guaranteed order and effective political, economic, cultural and military decision-making.
Relevant data
Regarding the origins of the calpullis, it is worth noting some components that were decisive in the development of these units within Aztec society:
-Over time, the towns were minimized by the power of the Aztec authorities, so their importance was reduced and they were only groups dedicated to offering tributes and offerings (according to the characteristics of each one).
-To maintain control of these populations, it was established that the nobility would have the power, since they headed the command structure.
-As the Aztec Empire expanded, the power of the nobility, the military, and the priests was strengthened, while members of the calpullis served as labor in agriculture and crafts.
characteristics
The most relevant characteristics of calpullis are described below:
-The organization of the Mexica in Calpullis allowed the formation of four main neighborhoods: Zoquiapan, Atzacoalco, Cuepopany Moyotlán and a fifth neighborhood, annexed by force, called Tlatelolco. In turn, each neighborhood was made up of five calpullis.
-It is believed that they were self-sufficient thanks to community work.
-The calpullis were made up of several important figures: the chief (who acted as head of this system and was in charge of the distribution and registration of crops), the priest, the council of elders, a treasurer and a book painter, whose The main function was to record the events of the place.
-The tribes annexed or defeated during the expansion of the Aztec Empire could preserve and celebrate their rituals, as well as maintain their traditions. They were not forced to adopt the customs of the dominant culture.
-The members of the calpullis had to deliver the offerings and the product to the chief of the tribe or tlatoani. Typically, these offerings consisted of corn, beans, squash, and chili.
-Within their administrative structure they also had community representatives, who were elected by the members of the calpulli themselves.
-The level of self-sufficiency of these units was not only thanks to their economic sustainability, but also because of the capacity to protect, public order, cleanliness and manufacture of materials for defense and work on the land.
-They were not only administrative units, but also places that lent themselves to socialization and cultural exchange among its inhabitants.
-Before the Spanish Conquest, Aztec society was organized mainly into two social classes: the victors and the vanquished. The victors were recognized as the dominant group, subdivided into priests, warriors, and merchants. Above them all ruled the nobility.
Legal organization
-An important member of this system was the teachcaub (or older relative), who was in charge of organizing work and distributing products among the inhabitants. Likewise, he was also responsible for preserving order, dispensing justice, and cultivating the gods and ancestors.
-Among other officials, the tecuhtli or military chief, in charge of training the young warriors, also stands out; the capixque, collector of taxes; and the witch doctors.
-They had a council of chiefs, which were made up of the oldest members of the influential families in the calpullis. These also appointed officials, who had to perform their duties for life.
-The chief of the tribe received auxiliary help from other important members of the community at the time of collecting the tributes. It is worth mentioning that the political, judicial, military and religious power fell to this same person.
-The marriages were arranged between members of the same calpulli, although it was also allowed between different calpullis.
-Each calpulli had a court, also called tecali or teccalco.
-There were special courts for warriors, students, priests and for commercial matters.
-The streets were guarded and guarded by the military, who made sure to maintain public order.
-For the administrative control of the calpullis, the city was divided into four sectors, for which an official was appointed.
References
- Calpulli. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: May 16, 2018. In Wikipedia at en.wikipedia.org.
- Calpulli. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: May 16, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
- Calpulli concept. (sf). In DeConceptos.com. Retrieved: May 16, 2018. In DeConceptos de deconceptos.com.
- Definition of Calpulli. (sf). In Legal Dictionary. Retrieved: May 16, 2018. In Legal Dictionary of legal dictionary.com.mx.
- Escalante, Pablo. The calpulli in front of the order of the city. (sf). In Universidad Magazine. Retrieved: May 16, 2018. Revista Universidad de revistdelauniversalidad.unam.mx.
- López Chavarría, José Luís. Incidences of Roman law and the Aztec calpulli in Mexican municipalism. (sf). In UNAM. Retrieved: May 16, 2018. In UNAM de archivos.juridicas.unam.mx.
- Mexica. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: May 16, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
- Mexico-Tenochtitlán. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: May 16, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.