Calpulli
The Calpulli was a fundamental socio-political unit within the Aztec Empire, serving both as a residential and administrative organization. Here are some detailed aspects:
- Function:
- Each Calpulli functioned as a land-holding unit, where land was collectively owned by its members. This land was crucial for farming, providing sustenance to the community.
- The Calpulli was also responsible for organizing labor, military service, and religious ceremonies. It managed communal tasks such as maintenance of public spaces, temples, and irrigation systems.
- Structure:
- Each Calpulli had its own leadership, typically a group of elders known as the Tecuhtli or local chiefs. These leaders were responsible for making decisions affecting the Calpulli.
- Membership was usually inherited through lineage, but adoption or marriage could also grant membership.
- History:
- The term Calpulli comes from the Nahuatl word "calpulli," which means "big house" or "residence."
- Historically, Calpullis were part of the social structure long before the rise of the Aztec Empire, with origins traceable back to the Toltec civilization.
- With the expansion of the Aztec Empire, Calpullis became integral to the empire's governance, with each unit contributing to the larger political and economic framework.
- Religious and Social Life:
- Calpullis had their own temples and patron deities, which were central to their communal identity and religious practices.
- They were also involved in the education of the youth, where children learned skills necessary for their roles within the community, including military training.
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