Purépecha Religion

The Purépecha are a group of Indigenous people centered in the northwestern region of Michoacán, Mexico, mainly in the area of the cities of Cherán and Pátzcuaro. They are also refered to by non-Purépecha people using the derogatory term Tarascan. The Purépecha Empire was one of the major empires of the Pre-Columbian era. The capital city was Tzintzuntzan. Purépecha architecture is noted for its T-shaped step pyramids. Pre-Columbian Purépecha artisans crafted feather mosaics using hummingbird feathers which were regarded as luxury goods throughout the region. The Purépecha empire was never conquered by the Aztec Empire, and there is no record of the Aztecs ever defeating them in battle. This was likely due to the presence of metal ores within their empire. Purépecha knowledge of metallurgy was far superior to that of the Aztecs. This skills continues to be practised by their descendants, who are particularly renown as coppersmiths. Despite their being enemies with the Aztecs, the Aztec Empire traded with them, primarily to obtain metal tools and weapons. After hearing of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, and with the native population diminished by an epidemic of smallpox (a European import which inhabitants of the New World did not possess resistance to), the leader of the Purépecha, Tangaxuan II, pledged his allegiance as a vassal of the King of Spain without a fight in 1525. 500 years later, many ancient Purépecha traditions continue to be observed. The Jimbani Uexurhina (New Fire) festival, celebrated on February 2, incorporates both traditional indigenous and Catholic elements. Purépechans celebrate the Day of the Dead slightly differently than do other Mexicans. On November 1 and 2, family members take part in all-night vigils at the graves of their loved ones. Purépecha believe that the souls of the dead watch over their living relatives on this day. Catholic Masses are celebrated in the Purhépecha language. This ethnic group was originally polytheistic. Among its gods were Curicaveri (the sun god, or the Great Fire, the primary Purhépecha deity whose body was painted black), Cuerauáperi (the goddess of creation, or “the one that unties in the womb,” associated with birth and considered to be the mother of all gods, men, animals, and plants), Xarátanga (the water goddess and goddess of the moon and maintenance who caused plants to germinate and cared for men and animals. Like other Mesoamerican moon goddesses, she was also connected with love and sex), Cuitzeo (the war god), Urendequauecara/Hurendequauecara (the morning star associated with Venus and the eastern sky), Auicamine (an evil goddess), Pehuame (goddess of birth, an intermediary for creation goddess Cuerauáperi), Curitacaheri (the great priest and the sun's messenger, related with the Sea God who received offerings placed in shells), the Angamu Curacha (forest gods), and the God of Hell (in the Cuingo celebration, sacrifices that had their skin removed were dedicated to this god).