Le cerf chez les anciens P’urhépecha du Michoacan (Mexique) : guerre, chasse et sacrifice

The deer among the ancient P’urhépecha of Michoacan, Mexico : war, hunting and sacrifice. The study of the place of deers in the Relación de Michoacán and in archaeological remains shows the importance of this animal in ancient Pur’hépecha’s mythology. The deer of this region (Odocoileus virginianus...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Brigitte Faugère
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Société des américanistes 2008-12-01
Series:Journal de la Société des Américanistes
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Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/jsa/10583
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Summary:The deer among the ancient P’urhépecha of Michoacan, Mexico : war, hunting and sacrifice. The study of the place of deers in the Relación de Michoacán and in archaeological remains shows the importance of this animal in ancient Pur’hépecha’s mythology. The deer of this region (Odocoileus virginianus) plays a relevant part in the rituals because his capture can be assimilated to a war ending with sacrifices. Within the mythology, it is associated with the sun, when it is regenerating before rising in the east. The deer plays also a particular role for the elite of the 16th century, because it was chosen by the dominant warriors group as an emblematic animal.
ISSN:0037-9174
1957-7842