by the El Reportero staff
Long before the rise of the Aztec Empire, the ancestors of the Tlaxcalteca people undertook a migration that would shape the history of central Mexico. According to indigenous traditions and historical accounts, these ancestors were known as the Teochichimecas, a group whose origins are linked to the legendary place called Chicomoztoc, or the “Place of the Seven Caves.”
The Teochichimecas were among several peoples collectively referred to as Chichimecas, a term used in pre-Hispanic times to describe various groups living in northern and central regions of Mexico. While the word was later used in different ways by neighboring civilizations, many historians recognize the Teochichimecas as a distinct people who played a crucial role in the founding of Tlaxcala.
Tradition holds that the Teochichimecas left Chicomoztoc under the guidance of their patron deity, Camaxtli, embarking on a long journey southward. Their migration formed part of a broader movement of peoples seeking fertile lands and new opportunities. Along the way, they established temporary settlements, developed alliances, and adapted to changing environments.
Eventually, the migrants reached the highlands of central Mexico, where they settled in the region that would become Tlaxcala. There, they founded communities that grew into powerful city-states. Over time, these settlements developed a strong political and military identity, allowing them to resist domination by neighboring powers.
The Tlaxcaltecas became known for their fierce independence and their ability to maintain autonomy despite repeated conflicts with the Mexica, commonly known as the Aztecs. Their territory remained one of the few regions in central Mexico that the Aztec Empire never fully conquered.
When Spanish forces arrived in the early sixteenth century, the Tlaxcaltecas initially fought against them but later formed an alliance that would have a profound impact on the conquest of the Aztec Empire. The alliance altered the course of Mexican history and remains one of the most debated chapters of the colonial era.
Today, the story of the Teochichimecas continues to be an important part of Tlaxcala’s cultural heritage. Their migration, traditions, and resilience are remembered as foundational elements in the creation of one of Mexico’s most significant indigenous societies. Through historical records, oral traditions, and archaeological research, the legacy of these early people continues to illuminate the origins of the Tlaxcalteca nation.
– With reports from México Desconocido.
