How did the Aztec share their history from generation to generation
The Aztecs used a combination of oral tradition, pictorial records, and codices to share their history from generation to generation.
Oral tradition played a crucial role in Aztec society. Knowledge was passed down through storytelling, with elders transmitting stories and myths to younger members of the community. This oral tradition ensured that important historical events, cultural practices, and religious beliefs were consistently conveyed to future generations. This method of passing down history relied on the memory and expertise of the storytellers, who were highly respected and considered to possess wisdom and knowledge.
In addition to oral tradition, the Aztecs also used pictorial records to share their history. They created pictographs, which were simplified drawings or symbols that represented different concepts. These pictographs were often painted on amate paper or carved onto stone monuments. They depicted important events, religious rituals, and genealogies of the ruling elite. The Aztecs employed these pictographs to preserve historical information, visually recording their past for future generations.
Finally, the Aztecs developed codices, which were ancient manuscripts made of bark paper or deerskin folded into a book-like format. These codices contained pictorial representations combined with written narratives. They served as important historical and religious documents, providing detailed accounts of the Aztec Empire's history, mythologies, and genealogies. These codices were considered precious and were carefully preserved by the Aztec priests, who acted as the custodians of historical knowledge.
By combining oral tradition, pictorial records, and codices, the Aztecs had various means of sharing their history and ensuring its transmission from one generation to another. These methods allowed for continuity and preservation of their cultural and historical identity.