Remembrance

Remembrance (Mahuiztla Achtonilnamicocatzin "noble remembrance of ancestors") is a faith that was practiced in imperial Ilhuiyoco. It relied on the assistance of one's departed ancestors—or, once the empire was established, of previous tecuhpiltin or emperors—to guide one and grant one good fortune and wisdom in life. One might do so by conversing with them in one's head, or venerating their image, and above all by passing down stories of their lives to one's own descendants. (To this end the departed tecuhpiltin had their own small but select priesthood who were to hear of all things regarding their chosen emperor, eyewitness accounts turned into tales.) The belief was that, so long as the ancestors had a presence in the world, their effect could accordingly be much greater.