[Aztlan] Did the Aztecs know something now long forgotten

[Justin Kerr]

I would like to suggest that the eagle or bird costume not only lasts until
the conquest, but beyond as well as far back in time. (See 2006 Guernsey,
Julia Ritual and Power in Stone: The Performance of Rulership in
Mesoamerican Izapan style art.) 
The bird dancer is illustrated on Maya vases (in the mayavase database
keyword bird dancer) and on portable ceramic objects as well. (See 9052 in
Portfolio). Although we tend to think of the Aztec figure as a warrior
dressed for battle, he might have been performing ritual duties as well.
In thinking of the bird costume beyond the Aztec period, what comes to mind
is the glorious Haida bird dancer in the prow of a canoe in the famous
documentary about the Northwest Coast peoples. However, the question of did
they fly, I think can be answered by looking at any number of flying pole
dancers from Veracruz or Colima. (See 3654 in Portfolio) and saw them fairly
recently flying around the Tulum parking lot.
Justin Kerr 

-----Original Message-----
From: aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org [mailto:aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org]
On Behalf Of David Hixson
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 11:07 AM
To: Aztlan at lists.famsi.org; modeldon_9 at yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [Aztlan] Did the Aztecs know something now long forgotten

MODERATOR'S NOTE: as the listero who posted this question has a genuine
interest in learning about Aztec warrior garb and tactics, his second post
is forwarded below.  However, it should be noted that the Aztec empire
continued up to the conquest period, and thus we have abundant literature
from the Spanish (and from Aztec sources) about Aztec uniforms and tactics.
Winged base jumping was not among those noted.  Aztec warriors and elites
often wore garb associated with a supernatural or animal motif(hence, eagle
warriors, jaguar warriors, etc.).  I'm sure many of our list members could
direct the asker to online or print media describing Aztec uniforms and
assault tactics.  Please send these responses off-list unless you feel the
entire list would benefit from posting a new resource.

-Dave (Aztlan moderator)

--------------------------------------------

ORIGINAL POST INCLUDED BELOW.

modeldon_9 at yahoo.com posted:

Listeros, This my second post about this topic.  Justin Kerr in his email to
me made me notice that I included the link to the Eagle warrior twice.
There should have been another link instead. http://vimeo.com/1778399 Justin
asked what was the point I was trying to make.  In the pictures of the Eagle
warrior the uniform not only includes an eagle mask but attached wings as
well.  Those wings compare to the modern guys jumping off of Norwegian
cliffs with a wing suit. My point is did the eagle warrior wings serve a
real function?  Simply put did they fly?Part of the question is whether the
eagle warrior costume was ceremonial or part of a combat uniform.  Having
been in combat that uniform would not confer elite status.  It would simply
just get in the way. Unless there was a flight capability as part of their
combat capability.  One could see them as an advance guard or as ambushers
using heights to swoop down on an unsuspecting enemy.  That would
 definitely make them an elite and quite fearsome. My larger point was
whether the Aztecs had a capability learned but now long forgotten.

modeldon_9 at yahoo.com



      
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