Abstract

VIESCA, Carlos  and  RAMOS R. DE VIESCA, Mariblanca. Disability in thought and Nahuatl medicine. Cuicuilco. Rev. cienc. antropol. [online]. 2017, vol.24, n.70, pp.171-193. ISSN 2448-8488.

The article offers a general view on disability among the ancient Nahuas, covering different perspectives: religion, medicine and society. It is based on the idea that disability in ancient Mexico was not a phenomenon that was discriminated against, nor that resulted in the exclusion of people, in fact it was quite the opposite. The disabled were treated respectfully and were offered care and social protection. In reality, the very notion of disability is present in one of the founding myths of the Mexica people: that of the creation of the fifth Sun: Nanahuatzin, the future solar star, was a disabled god. This provided the phenomenon with a cosmic importance that influenced society. Moreover, people with certain illnesses and characteristics, that today would be considered ‘deformed,’ were conceived as signals from the Gods.

Keywords : Nahuatl culture; Worldview; Disability; Illness; Medicine.

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