five slaves

This grouping of five slaves all share a similar type of clothing, different from the others. The cord or yoke attached to collars on their necks is an indicator of their slave status. (See images of slaves from other manuscripts in a Mexicolore publication on line, https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/kids/aztec-slaves.) The clothing is indicative of women, given the the significant covering of the body. The pointed bodice piece may be a quechquemitl, which was a woman’s blouse. The designs on the clothing of this group are less complicated than the women ahead of them, suggesting this group is from a different community or has a lower status. Such slave women would have been expected to cook, clean, and provide other domestic and possibly sexual duties. These women were sold by Huexotzinco to obtain gold for the making of the banner with the Madonna and child. [SW]