Without the Indian maiden, Malinche, the history of New Spain would have been entirely different. She smoothed the way for Hernan Cortes to conquer the Aztec Empire. She taught Cortes the ways of the Aztecs, and was at his side during all negotiations. Malinche was known in the New World as "the tongue of Cortes. "She was a diplomat, strategist and faithful to the new teachings of Christianity. A beautiful girl, she is depicted in the Codices (ancient picture writing) as dressed in the native huipil of the Mayas. Her hair was long and dark and worn loosely about her shoulders. There was an air of confidence and pride, as befitting a personage of royal lineage.
She was born sometime between 1498 and 1505 in the town of Painale, Coatzacoalcos. Her father was Cacique, or Chieftain with many towns and villages as vassal states. Her father died and his wife remarried. A son was born to them, and in order to prevent the young girl from inheriting, she was secreted away and sold to a merchant of Tabasco.
When the ships of Cortes arrived at the shores of Tabasco, the Spaniards were met with friendliness. Having been given gifts of beads, the Indians gave the Spaniards nineteen maidens. Malinche was one of them. The men were prohibited from cohabiting with the girls until they had been baptized.
Jeronimo de Aguilar, a Spaniard cast ashore when a previous Spanish vessel sank, was rescued by Cortes in Yucatan. Malinche spoke both Maya and Nahuatl. Aguilar learned Nahuatl, and of course, already knew Spanish. The two became interpreters for Cortes.
Malinche soon became proficient in Spanish, and in time became Cortes' concubine. By his side, she was to become a person of great importance, and without question, was obeyed by natives throughout the voyages of Cortes. When baptized she was given the name of "Marina".
Moctezuma, Emperor of the Aztecs, did everything possible to keep Cortes from coming to his capitol, Tenochtitlan. He sent incredible beautiful gifts of gold, feathers, and jewels, with ambassadors to discourage him. When all else failed, he planned a dangerous plot. The relentless march of Cortes would be stopped at the town of Cholula, the invaders to be brought to Moctezuma in chains or dead. Holes were dug in the streets, covered with reeds and earth, with spikes of sharpened wood underneath to trap the horses. Barricades were set up, every housetop had heaps of stones ready to throw at the Spanish soldiers, women and children were evacuated from the city.
It was Malinche who uncovered the plot by offering to marry the son of the Chief of the Cholulans. She gained the information and warned Cortes. The people of Cholula were vanquished; what was not destroyed by the Spanish, the Tlaxcalans (allies of Cortes) plundered and killed the citizens.
It was the 8th day of November 1519. Many cycles ago it was predicted on that date the God Quetzalcoatl would return. Since she had forsaken her gods, what would happen to her?00000
She was known as Dona Marina and eventually bore a son, Martin, to Cortes in 1522. Cortes married her to Juan Jaramillo (a brigantine captain, one who assaulted Tenochtlan). She was given land for an orchard near Chapultepec, now the Villa de San Angel. She also had a home at what is now Calle Republica de Cuba #95. Here she lived with her family, surrounded by caballeros as bodyguards. Malinche was reviled and cursed as a traitor to the Aztec kingdom. Through the years the term malinchismo is taken as an expression of contempt and disrespect.
Her accomplishments were great. She brought Christianity to the New World, she worked to abolish cannibalism and the worship of idols. She made the conquest of Mexico by Spain possible. Her name is given to volcanoes, to mountains, and rivers. Truly one of the great women of Mexico. history.
