Chichimèques

" Chichimèques " of pejorative origin is a name given to the wandering tribes semi of Chasseurs-cueilleurs of the north of current the Mexico by the Aztèques, at the time précolombienne.

The term was employed in order to dissociate these tribes considered to be cruel and wild by the tribes of the Mésoamérique. Indeed, the word would come from the Nahuatl chi (dog) and mecatl (cord), meaning " line of the chien" or " those of the chalk-lining of the chien". Armed with an arc and arrows, wandering Chichimèque is opposed to the sedentary mésomaméricain, armed with a atlatl (propellent). Chichimèques however formed part of the same linguistic group Uto-Aztecan as the groups Nahuas established in Mésoamérique. One can try a comparison between the northern border of Mésoamérique and the Limes intended to protect the Roman empire from the barbarians: at each period of weakening of the capacity in central Mexico, waves of Chichimèques penetrated in Mésoamérique. After the collapse of Teotihuacan, the Toltèques belonged to these groups come from north. At the 12th century, other groups chichimèques undoubtedly destroyed Tula, the capital of Toltèques. According to the traditions transmitted by the chronicles, Acolhuas, led by a legendary chief called Xolotl , would have arrived in the valley of Mexico City at the 13th century. They were established in the north and the east of the lake Texcoco. Their most known cities were Tenayuca and Texcoco. The Tépanèques were established with Azcapotzalco and dominated the valley of Mexico City with 14th century under the reign of frightening the Tezozomoc. They were overcome (1428) by the last arriveds, the Aztec ones and their allies of Triple alliance.

Custom and habits

Chichimèques made the use of the peyotl, a variety of cactus.

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