Cuzcatlan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  |
|
| Capital | Kuskatan |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Nawat |
| Government | Tributary Monarchy |
| History | |
|
• Established
|
c. 1200 |
|
• Disestablished
|
1528 |
| Today part of | El Salvador |
Cuzcatlan (Nawat: Kuskatan) (Nahuatl: Cuzcatlan) was a pre-Columbian Nahua state confederation of the Mesoamerican postclassical period that extended from the Paz river to the Lempa river (covering most of western El Salvador); this was the nation that Spanish chroniclers came to call the Pipils or Cuzcatlecos. No codices survive that shed light on this confederation except the Annals of the Cakchiquels, although Spanish chroniclers such as Domingo Juarros, Palaces, Lozano, and others claim that some codices did exist but have since disappeared. Their Nawat language, art and temples revealed that they had significant Mayan and Toltec influence from the ties they had with the Itza in Yucatan. It is believed that the first settlers to arrive came from the Toltec people in central Mexico, mostly Puebla during the Chichimeca-Toltec civil wars in the 10th century AD.
The people of Cuzcatan came to be called Pipiles in the historical chronicles, a term that today is usually translated as "boys" or less likely as "young nobles." This was due to the perception of the Central Nahuatl-speaking Tlaxcala and Mexica allies of the Spanish that the Nahuas of Cuzcatan were speaking a corrupted version of their language in those regions. An alternative theory is that it meant "nobles," from the Nahuas social class "Pipiltin" and the Nawat Pipil origin story that they are descendants of Nanahuatzin.
Contents
Etymology
The name Kuskatan (place of jewel necklaces) possibly comes from the Náwat words "kuskat" (necklace) and Kuzti (jewel) meaning "jewel necklace", and "tan", meaning "among/in/near/place of/with.". In Nahuatl its cognate term is Cuzcat(l)an.
Origins
The Pipil people are an ethnic group who resided in western modern day El Salvador and parts of Honduras. They are a subgroup of Nahua people, who can also be known as Nawats, Nahuats, or Southern Nahuas. Nahua people originally resided in modern-day Mexico with waves of Pipil people migrating to what was Cuzcatlan. This Mesoamerican land is believed to be inhabited by the first wave of Pipils as early as 3000 BCE. Another wave of Nahua migrants, known as the Izalco Pipils, voyaged in the 10th century.
The Nawat Pipil arrived in El Salvador around the year 900. On arrival, they had to fight their way to the new land due to the fact of the Mayan civil wars that were taking place as well but with the treaty or "cult" of Quetzalcoatl, Qʼuqʼumatz and Kukulkan as the Pipil had many Mayan allies. City states such as Tehuacán, Chalchuapa and Cihuatán eventually became absorbed into the Cuzcatlan polity confederation. According to legend, the city of Cuzcatlán (the capital city of Cuzcatan), was founded by the exiled Toltec Ce Acatl Topiltzin around the year 1054. In the 13th century the Pipil city states were most likely unified, and by 1400, a hereditary monarchy had been established. The Pipil people aided in the flourishing of Cuzcatlan and referred to this region as the "Land of the Jewel". Using techniques that were heavily influenced by ancient Mayan culture. Pipil people inhabited this land but also resided with other indigenous groups. They were alongside specifically Lenca and Pokomam Maya and expressed similarities in their culture and traditions. Pipil's created towns and cities that were able to support large populations which were supported by irrigated agricultural lands.
Geography
The Lordship of Cuzcatan covered an area of approximately 10,000 km2 covering a large part of the central and western areas of present-day El Salvador and covering different varieties of environments with a total of 7 plant formations between the coast and elevations greater than 2,000 meters.
Economy
The economy of Cuzcatlan had contributions from both the indigenous Pipil people who inhabited the land and Spanish conquistadors post colonization. Indigenous economy consisted of the Pipil people and even indigenous Mexican, including Nahua and Mixtec. The economy was based on the barter or exchange of agriculture and handcrafted goods such as multicolored textiles.
Cocoa bean and Indigo dye was a major export crop that was carefully cultivated in the Izalcos area and traded throughout the isthmus. Indigo specifically was a large part of Cuzcatlan economy, it was the base for agrarian and industrial products. The large dependency on Indigo and Cocoa beans required massive amounts of labor which were carried out by the areas indigenous people. This became a large way for people to survive as the landowning class grew due to its labor system. Its production involved the construction of an elaborate irrigation network, parts of which can still be seen today. Cacao served in the region as currency.
Other agricultural products grown by the Pipil were cotton, squash, corn, beans, fruits, balsam, some peppers, and chocolate; but chocolate could only be prepared and served to the ruling class. There was modest mining of gold and silver, although these were not used as currency but as offering to their many gods. Only the priests and the ruling family could use gold and silver as ornaments.
Another large contribution to Cuzcatlan economy was the establishment of slave trafficking and labor which appeared after Spaniard colonization. Pedro de Alvarado began establishing slave labor throughout Central America beginning in modern-day Guatemala. This was then established into Cuzcatlan during his first invasion in 1524. As Spaniards continued to settle in the Cuzcatlan, it became common for their households to contain indigenous slaves, typically women to act as servants. Many of these slaves were obtained through war or through barter. Those who were not placed into households would be forced to contribute to local cultivation. Settlements would be assigned to an "encomienda" which indicates what type of contribution they must provide. Typically an "encomienda" consisted of food products such as maize, beans, chilli peppers, turkeys, venison, salt, dried fish, honey, and beeswax. However, it was also common to be assigned firewood, woven cotton clothes and clothing. These contributions were expected and required of the settlements and acted as payment to the Spaniards. Those who failed to pay their contributions were typically faced with threats and even violent force.
There were large contributions to the Cuzcatlan economy due to the creation of Spanish industries in the area. They began to overtake the economy due to the large local force that they exerted. A new dynamic was established as these industries consisted of Spanish overseers and indigenous mestizo. One of the most significant industries they cultivated were war supplies. During the years 1525 - 1539, there was an influx of raids that occurred in the area. This led to slave labor being utilized for the creation of war supplies such as iron. Archaeology and architecture also gained prevalence in the area due to Spanish influence. This is another industry that was dependent on male indigenous labor for brick making, roof and tile manufacturing, blacksmithing, and charcoal making.
Religion
Through Spanish chroniclers (cronistas) and archaeological investigations we know that the Señorío de Cuzcatlán was well organized with respect to its "Creator" or "Divine energy of life" Tiyut/Teotl, its priesthood, first ancestors, religious rites, etc. One of the pilgrimage sites was the sanctuary dedicated to the ancestor goddess Nuictlán constructed by Cē Ācatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl and located on Lake Güija. Human sacrifice was practiced during war time as part of a warrior code of honor.
Deities/Spirits associated with the Nahuas of Cuzcatan
The people living in the ancient Cuzcatlán possibly attributed cosmic power to the following: Xipe Totec, Quetzalcoatl, Ehécatl, Tláloc, Chacmool, Tonatiuh, Chalchiuhtlicue and others. In addition there were some deities identified with the Señorío of Cuzcatlán like Itzqueye. Téotl, Quetzalcoatl and Itzqueye were three of the most important to the people's spiritual beliefs.
Music
Cuzcatlan was within proximity to other indigenous groups, with their music being made up of new ideologies and borrowed traditions. A specific instrument used music was a slit drum that Cuzcatlan's referred to as tepunahuaxtles. This drum was not specific to the Cuzcatlan people. It is believed that this sacred drum could be dated back to ancient Mesoamerica. This word derives from the Aztec word Teponaztli, which means drum. In Aztec ceremonies this drum was used for religious, military, and royal ceremonies which reflected the use of this instrument in Cuzcatlan.
Fall of Cuzcatlan
After the fall of the Aztec Empire, Hernán Cortés sent Pedro de Alvarado to conquer the native city states further south. After subduing or striking alliances with the Mayan peoples in the highlands, on June 6, 1524, Pedro de Alvarado crossed the Paz river with a few hundred soldiers and thousands of Kaqchikel Mayan allies and subdued the Cacique of Izalco (the first major city state en route to Cuzcatlan). Fierce battles were fought in defense of Izalco in Acaxual (today Acajutla in the Spanish version) and Tacuzcalco. On June 17, de Alvarado arrived in Cuzcatan. Some of the population acquiesced to his rule; others fled to the mountains.
After the fall of Cuzcatan in 1525, Pedro de Alvarado's cousin Diego de Alvarado established the Villa De San Salvador. Over the next three years, various attempts by the Nahuas of Cuzcatan to destroy the newly founded town resulted in the decision to move the town a few kilometers south to its present location, to the valley commonly known as "the valley of the hammocks" (due to significant seismic activity) next to the Quezaltepeque (San Salvador) volcano.
Legacy
Archeological sites in El Salvador include the Tazumal complex, which has Mesoamerican masonry, including truncated pyramids resembling those of Toltec temple sites. Other sites include San Andrés, Cara Sucia, Joya de Cerén and Cihuatán. Otherwise, Kuskatan is not known for the kind of monumental architecture used by the Classical Maya because its later Spanish rulers dismantled most of the palaces and temples over the centuries to build walls and roads. El Salvador is one of the most looted archeological places in the western hemisphere, with many artifacts being looted in recent years, including the Izalco Jaguar heads and artifacts in museums.
In 2020, the Kuskatan football team joined ConIFA, the football governing body for non-FIFA members.
See also
In Spanish: Señorío de Cuzcatlán para niños
