Synopses & Reviews
He was sent from Spain on a religious crusade to Mexico to and#147;detect the sickness of idolatry,and#8221; but Bernardino de Sahagand#250;n (c. 1499-1590) instead became the first anthropologist of the New World. The Franciscan monk developed a deep appreciation for Aztec culture and the Nahuatl language. In this biography, Miguel Leand#243;n-Portilla presents the life story of a fascinating man who came to Mexico intent on changing the traditions and cultures he encountered but instead ended up working to preserve them, even at the cost of persecution.
Sahagand#250;n was responsible for documenting numerous ancient texts and other native testimonies. He persevered in his efforts to study the native Aztecs until he had developed his own research methodology, becoming a pioneer of anthropology. Sahagand#250;n formed a school of Nahua scribes and labored with them for more than sixty years to transcribe the pre-conquest language and culture of the Nahuas. His rich legacy, our most comprehensive account of the Aztecs, is contained in his Primeros Memoriales (1561) and Historia General de las Cosas de Nueva Espaand#241;a (1577).
Near the end of his life at age 91, Sahagand#250;n became so protective of the Aztecs that when he died, his former Indian students and many others felt deeply affected.
Translated into English by Mauricio J. Mixco, Leand#243;n-Portillaand#8217;s absorbing account presents Sahagand#250;n as a complex individualand#150;a man of his times yet a pioneer in many ways.
Synopsis
Sent from Spain on a religious crusade to Mexico to andldquo;detect the sickness of idolatry,andrdquo; Bernardino de Sahaganduacute;n (c. 1499andndash;1590) instead became the first anthropologist of the New World. This biography presents the life story of a fascinating man who came to Mexico intent on changing the traditions and cultures, but instead ended up working to preserve them.
About the Author
Director of the Inter-American Indian Institute in Mexico City, Miguel Leon-Portilla is a significant young Mexican scholar. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees (summa cum laude) form Loyola University at Los Angeles and the Ph.D. from the National University of Mexico. La Filosof¡a N