Chimalpahin facts for kids

Domingo Francisco de San Antón Muñón Chimalpahin Quauhtlehuanitzin (born 1579 in Amecameca, Chalco – died 1660 in Mexico City), often called just Chimalpahin, was an important Nahua historian. He came from Chalco, a region in what is now Mexico.

His Nahuatl names, Chimalpahin and Quauhtlehuanitzin, have special meanings. Chimalpahin means "Runs Swiftly with a Shield," and Quauhtlehuanitzin means "Rising Eagle." He was proud of his family history, claiming to be a descendant of the rulers of Tenango-Amecameca-Chalco. His grandfather, Don Domingo Hernández Ayopochtzin, was highly respected for his knowledge and his ability to keep records, following ancient traditions.

Who Was Chimalpahin?

Chimalpahin lived during a time when Mexico was under Spanish rule. He was a skilled writer who recorded history in both the Nahuatl and Spanish languages. His writings are very important because they tell us about the history of Mexico and its neighboring areas from an indigenous point of view.

What Did He Write About?

Chimalpahin's most famous work is called the Relaciones or Anales. This book was written in Nahuatl in the early 1600s. It shares stories and facts based on what indigenous people remembered and told him.

His writings cover many years, from 1589 to 1615. But they also look back at events that happened before the Spanish arrived. He even included lists of important people, like indigenous kings and lords, and Spanish leaders such as viceroys and archbishops.

Japanese Visitors to Mexico

Chimalpahin also wrote about interesting visits from Japan. He recorded when Japanese groups came to Mexico in 1610 and 1614. These groups were led by Tanaka Shōsuke and Hasekura Tsunenaga. He even wrote about a fight in 1614 where a Japanese samurai (a warrior) stabbed a Spanish soldier in Acapulco. This shows how his writings captured unique and detailed events of his time.

Other Important Works

Another important work by Chimalpahin is called Diferentes historias originales, also known as Relaciones originales. This book was a collection of claims and proofs of nobility from indigenous leaders in the Chalco-Amequemecan region.

It was created to help the Spanish rulers understand who deserved special rights and positions among the indigenous people. There are eight parts to this work. All of them contain valuable information about the culture, society, and timeline of the time, which is very helpful for historians today.

What Happened to His Writings?

After Chimalpahin passed away, his original handwritten books and papers were kept by a famous scholar named Carlos de Sigüenza y Góngora. To find out more about what happened to these important documents after Sigüenza's death, you can look up Lorenzo Boturini Benaducci.

See also

In Spanish: Domingo Francisco Chimalpahin Quauhtlehuanitzin para niños