Abstract

ECHEVERRIA GARCIA, Jaime. Myth and supernatural entities among Nahuas of Xolotla, Sierra Norte of Puebla. Trace (Méx. DF) [online]. 2020, n.78, pp.123-153.  Epub Apr 28, 2021. ISSN 2007-2392.  https://doi.org/10.22134/trace.78.2020.730.

Among the Nahuas of Xolotla, in the municipality of Pahuatlán de Valle, in the Sierra Norte de Puebla, there is an ancient oral tradition that refers us to an ensemble of supernatural beings grouped under the concept of chichipahuatzitzi, the ‘pure spirits’.These entities are embodied in different natural phenomena such as lightning bolts (tlapetancame), clouds (mexhuacante) and water (ahuacante). The Sirena (Zoliman) is included as well. Another character that is part of the repertoire of the supernature is the Coixehuatl (the Owner of the Mountain). This repertoire comprises also the tlahuepoche (the witch), who is one of the most characteristic beings of indigenous oral tradition. From the myth and what the Xolotecos have heard from the older ones, one can know the physical appearance of the tlahuepoche, the procedure to become a turkey, the way in which it attacks its victims and the ways to counteract its harmful actions; even, a myth referring to the tlahuepoche places her as the wife of one of the tlapetancame. This article has two objectives: In the first place, to outline a reconstruction of the ancient Nahua Xoloteco pantheon. Secondly, to interpret the myths of the tlahuepoche based on the indigenous system of eras, in so doing the native cultural contents have been displaced to a remote past, because they have become inoperative in the current context.

Keywords : myth; supernatural entities; tlahuepoche; Nahuas; Pahuatlán.

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