The statement “unless the lion learns to write, the stories will always glorify the hunter” rightly applies in the analysis of the Mayan and Aztec communities that lived in Mesoamerica. Early Europeans credit themselves with instituting the initial and higher education centers in Mesoamerica in the sixteenth century. However, these two societies had well-established systems of instructing their community members, from the young ones up to specialized professions such as scribes and priests (Crum). Furthermore, the older of the two civilizations, Mayan, had an established and advanced system of knowledge that entailed astronomy and mathematics. Astoundingly, the first use of the number zero is traceable to these people (Crum). The Mayan and Aztec share entwined aspects, more so in the aspect of knowledge, writings, and religion.
Knowledge sharing was phenomenal, and a quite looked up to aspect of the community. Among the Aztecs, knowledge was shared in specialized learning institutions and at home. Knowledge was an essential element among the Aztecs as it predicted many things, especially central factors to the continuity of the civilization, such as writing and rulership. Education began at home, with the parents being critical educators of societal and survival norms (Root). Boys, for instance, would follow their parents in some hunting expeditions, learning how to trap and pursue animals for food, among other social needs such as their hides for ornamentation and some clothing. This process of learning from the parents would ensue for the children for a while until their early teenagerhood, whereby they would be eligible for enrollment into the specialized schools in place.
Learning among the Aztecs had caste as a central and defining factor in which schools individuals would be eligible to attend. Those of noble descent would attend schools often called the ‘calmecac,’ while the commoners would attend schools referred to as the ‘telpochcalli’ (Root). These two institutions were predominantly for the boys who had become of age. As for the girls, education took a different tangent as they trained in specific institutions where household skills were imparted. Furthermore, upon careful inspection and the determination of the community healers, the girls who were exceptional in their training were chosen as midwives.
The Mayan influence in knowledge upon the Aztec is considerable. The calmecacs, which were institutions for dispersing knowledge to the nobles, can be traced to the Mayan civilization. Furthermore, some Mayan-originated religious beliefs were adopted by the Aztecs in their social motions (Barone). Another area regarding their sharing of information regards their righting styles. The Aztec heavily adopted the hieroglyphic depictions and phonetics used by the Mayans, further enhancing them. According to Cartwright, “The Maya writing system continued to be used up to the Spanish Conquest, but this ‘pagan’ text was prohibited” (Cartwright). The influence of one civilization on the subsequent one, despite them being tens of decades apart, is quite phenomenal.
Furthermore, knowledge among the Mayan was a factor attributable to several societal gains, including a stature of political power and supremacy. Maya text and iconography became a contentious hot topic, leading to impositions on both the scribes and the community. Sovereignty was commonplace by integrating knowledge into leadership practicum (“Civilization.ca – Mystery of the Maya – Writing and Hieroglyphics”). The relationship between writing and power is evident in the depiction of the Mayan civilization. As the evolution of means to reproduce writing soon gained traction, this depiction became overtly associated with a loss of power for the community leaders. The ferocity of the issue was stark to the degree that captured scribes would be broken their fingers from the knuckles (Johnston 5). This move implied the discontinuity of the skill to share knowledge further.
Learning about world history as it pertains to education and writing is an efficacious manner of assessing the revolutions made in the education sector and a platform for self-reflection on whether things are getting better or society is regressing. An analysis of historical processes and endeavors in education remarkably reveals how knowledge was the esteem in antiquity. Moreover, education parallels war in terms of its value in establishing authority and control. This exact depiction is resonant in contemporary times as every government has a division that deals with information gathering and reconnaissance. The more information one has and the fewer others have, turns one into a force to be reckoned with. History teaches us what has worked in the past, and it facilitates as a crucible for testing what might work since history has the tendency to replicate over time.
The Mayan and Aztec societies represent some of the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations that had an astute bearing regarding their regard for knowledge. Though the Mayans came before the Aztecs, knowledge sharing ensued and offered compelling and evocative engagements in both societies. The Aztecs took the turn of ensuring the whole community received education right from childhood. The implication of this move was a sustained culture and community. On the other hand, the Mayans were careful to document their various progress in codices and other mediums, which led to other people’s benefitting from the knowledge. Ergo, it remains crucial to learn from our past and chronicle the best ideals that would befit the present generation and those to follow.
Works Cited
Barone, Fran. “Featured Culture: Aztecs, Cosmology, and Ancient Rituals in eHRAF.” Human Relations Area Files – Cultural Information for Education and Research, 23 Jan. 2019, hraf.yale.edu/featured-culture-aztecs-cosmology-and-ancient-rituals-in-ehraf.
Cartwright, Mark. “Maya Writing.” World History Encyclopedia, 23 Mar. 2022, www.worldhistory.org/article/655/maya-writing.
“Civilization.ca – Mystery of the Maya – Writing and Hieroglyphics.” History Museum, www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/maya/mmc04eng.html. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.
Crum, Steven. “Colleges Before Columbus: Mayans, Aztecs and Incas Offered Advanced Education Long before the Arrival of Europeans.” Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education, 7 June 2012, tribalcollegejournal.org/colleges-columbus-mayans-aztecs-incas-offered-advanced-education-long-arrival-europeans.
Johnston, Kevin J. “Broken fingers: The capture of the scribe in classic maya culture.” XVIII Symposium of Archaeological Investigations in Guatemala. Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies. 2009.
Root. “Aztec Education: Learning at Home and School.” History, 14 June 2018, www.historyonthenet.com/aztec-education-at-home-and-school.
write