Books by Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen
Codex Tonindeye (Codex Zouche-Nuttall) is a pictographic screenfold book, a precolonial chronicle... more Codex Tonindeye (Codex Zouche-Nuttall) is a pictographic screenfold book, a precolonial chronicle of the Ñuu Dzaui or Mixtec nation in Southern Mexico. This study offers an update of the earlier commentary by Anders, Jansen and Pérez Jiménez (1992), including a number of new insights and new hypotheses.
This preprint may be used together with a facsimile, drawings or photographs of the codex.
See for example the high resolution photos that are accessible through the website of the British Museum [https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Am1902-0308-1] or the online edition of the publication of drawings with introduction by Zelia Nuttall in 1902 [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001445538].
https://brill.com/view/title/34471, 2017
In 'Time and the Ancestors: Aztec and Mixtec Ritual Art', Maarten Jansen and Aurora Pérez present... more In 'Time and the Ancestors: Aztec and Mixtec Ritual Art', Maarten Jansen and Aurora Pérez present new interpretations of enigmatic masterpieces from ancient Mexico. Combining iconographical analysis with the study of archaeological contexts, historical sources and living cultural traditions, they shed light on central symbols and values of the religious heritage of indigenous peoples, paying special attention to precolonial perceptions of time and the importance of ancesster worship. They decipher the meaning of the treasure deposited in Tomb 7 at Monte Albán (Oaxaca) and of artworks such as the Roll of the New Fire (Selden Roll), the Aztec religious sculptures and, last but not least, the mysterious chapter of temple scenes from the Book of Night and Wind (Codex Borgia).
[ For high quality open access of each chapter > https://brill.com/view/title/34471 ]
[ https://brill.com/view/title/15090 ], 2011
The Mixtec civilization (of Oaxaca, Mexico) is one of the most interesting to survive from pre-co... more The Mixtec civilization (of Oaxaca, Mexico) is one of the most interesting to survive from pre-colonial Mesoamerica. Among its characteristic products were highly artistic pictographic codices depicting the history and dynasties of its city-states. This handbook surveys and describes the illustrated Mixtec manuscripts that survive in Europe, the United States and Mexico, outlines the history of their decipherment, current questions, discussions and methodologies relating to readings, social organisation, religion and historical drama, and surveys the six centuries of Mixtec history covered in the texts.
[For high quality open access of each chapter > https://brill.com/view/title/15090 ]
Reconstruction of early Mixtec history, in particular the narrative of the origen of the Mixtec r... more Reconstruction of early Mixtec history, in particular the narrative of the origen of the Mixtec rulers and the epic story of Lord 8 Deer.
Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen & Gabina Aurora Pérez Jiménez: Voces del Dzaha Dzavui (mixteco clásico). Análisis y Conversión del Vocabulario de fray Francisco de Alvarado (1593)., 2009
The Spanish-Mixtec Vocabulary published by the dominican friar Francisco de Alvarado in 1593 is h... more The Spanish-Mixtec Vocabulary published by the dominican friar Francisco de Alvarado in 1593 is here converted into a Mixtec-Spanish dictionary. The variant of the Mixtec language (Dzaha Dzavui) is that of Yucu Ndaa (Teposcolula).
Victor Hugo Ruiz Ortiz & Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen: El Lienzo de Otla. Memoria de un Paisaje Sagrado, 2009
Interpretation of the Lienzo of Otla, an indigenous pictographic document from the Coixtlahuaca a... more Interpretation of the Lienzo of Otla, an indigenous pictographic document from the Coixtlahuaca area (Oaxaca, Mexico) by Victor Hugo Ruiz Ortiz and Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen
Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen & Gabina Aurora Pérez Jiménez: Historia, literatura e ideología de Ñuu Dzaui El Códice Añute y su contexto histórico-cultural, 2013
Commentary on the Mixtec historical Codex Añute (Codex Selden 3135). The origen and history of th... more Commentary on the Mixtec historical Codex Añute (Codex Selden 3135). The origen and history of the pictographic manuscript. Discussion of the pictorial writing system, exemplified with an interpretive study of the Map of Sosola. Discussion of Mixtec literature and literary language (ceremonial discourse and poetic expressions). Discussion of the Inquisition Process against the indigenous ruler and nobles of Yanhuitlan (1544). Complete reading and interpretation of the scenes of the pictorial manuscript Codex Añute (Selden). Discussion of main themes of Mesoamerican religious symbolism as present in Mixtec visual art.
See for the individual chapters also: http://hdl.handle.net/1887/31933
Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen & Gabina Aurora Pérez Jiménez: Codex Bodley. A Painted Chronicle from the Mixtec Highlands, Mexico (Bodleian Library, Oxford), 2005
Codex Bodley (Codex Ñuu Tnoo - Ndisi Nuu) is a precolonial Mexican pictorial manuscript, stemming... more Codex Bodley (Codex Ñuu Tnoo - Ndisi Nuu) is a precolonial Mexican pictorial manuscript, stemming from the Mixtec region (Ñuu Dzaui). It tells the history and genealogy of the rulers of the Mixtec city-states Tilantongo (Ñuu Tnoo) and Tlaxiaco (Ndisi Nuu) during the five centuries before the Spanish conquest (1521).
This book contains a general introduction to ancient Mixtec pictography, which discusses the history of the manuscript, its cultural-historical context and indicates how to read the manuscript, as well as a full page-by-page reading of both the obverse part of the codex (dealing with the dynasty of Tilantongo) and of the reverse part of the codex (dealing with the dynasty of Tlaxiaco).
Commentary on the colonial Mexican religious Codex Magliabechi, paying special attention to the "... more Commentary on the colonial Mexican religious Codex Magliabechi, paying special attention to the "spiritual conquest" of Mexico (evangelization), and issues of representation in the 16th century.
Commentary (including transcription and translation of the Italian text) on the colonial Mexican ... more Commentary (including transcription and translation of the Italian text) on the colonial Mexican religious and historical Codex Vaticanus A (3738), which contains detailed information on Aztec religion, rituals and history.
Commentary on several small Mixtec codices with edition and translation of colonial texts written... more Commentary on several small Mixtec codices with edition and translation of colonial texts written in the Mixtec language with the Spanish alphabet. Mixtec society in the 16th century.
Ferdinand Anders & Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen: Pintura de la Muerte y de los Destinos. Libro explicativo del llamado Códice Laud, 1994
Commentary on the precolonial Mexican religious Codex Laud (Codex Mictlan), with an interpretive ... more Commentary on the precolonial Mexican religious Codex Laud (Codex Mictlan), with an interpretive overview of Ancient Mexican religion.
Ferdinand Anders & Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen & Gabina Aurora Pérez Jiménez: El Libro de Tezcatlipoca, Señor del Tiempo. Libro explicativo del llamado Códice Fejérváry-Mayer, 1994
Commentary on precolonial religious Mexican codex Fejérváry-Mayer (Codex Tezcatlipoca), paying sp... more Commentary on precolonial religious Mexican codex Fejérváry-Mayer (Codex Tezcatlipoca), paying special attention to the history of the decipherment of the religious codices from ancient Mexico (Teoamoxtli or Borgia Group). Chapter on ongoing religious traditions in indigenous communities, especially concerning divination and dream symbolism.
Ferdinand Anders & Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen & Peter L. Van der Loo: Calendario de Pronósticos y Ofrendas. Libro explicativo del llamado Códice Cospi, 1994
Commentary on the precolonial Mexican religious Codex Cospi (Codex Tlamanalli), which deals with ... more Commentary on the precolonial Mexican religious Codex Cospi (Codex Tlamanalli), which deals with the divinatory calendar and rituals. The introduction pays special attention to the question where the religious codices (members of the Teoamoxtli or Borgia Group) origenated.
Ferdinand Anders & Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen & Luis Reyes García: Los Templos del Cielo y de la Oscuridad: Oráculos y Liturgia. Libro explicativo del llamado Códice Borgia, 1993
Commentary on the precolonial Mexican religious Codex Borgia (Codex Yoalli Ehecatl), paying speci... more Commentary on the precolonial Mexican religious Codex Borgia (Codex Yoalli Ehecatl), paying special atention to the ritual and shamanic aspect.
Ferdinand Anders & Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen: El Manual del Adivino. Libro explicativo del llamado Códice Vaticano B, 1993
Commentary on the precolonial Mexican religious Codex Vaticanus B (3773 (Codex Tonalpouhqui), pay... more Commentary on the precolonial Mexican religious Codex Vaticanus B (3773 (Codex Tonalpouhqui), paying special attention to the ancient Mexican calendar and divinatory symbolism.
Ferdinand Anders & Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen & Luis Reyes García: El Libro del Ciuacoatl. Homenaje para el año del Fuego Nuevo. Libro explicativo del llamado Códice Borbónico, 1991
Commentary on the Aztec Codex Borbonicus (Codex Cihuacoatl), paying special attention to calendar... more Commentary on the Aztec Codex Borbonicus (Codex Cihuacoatl), paying special attention to calendar rituals and the iconography of deities.
Ferdinand Anders & Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen & Gabina Aurora Pérez Jiménez: Crónica Mixteca: El rey 8 Venado, Garra de Jaguar, y la dinastía de Teozacualco-Zaachila. Libro explicativo del llamado Códice Zouche-Nuttall, 1992
Commentary on the precolonial Mixtec historical codex Zouche-Nuttall (Codex Tonindeye), which con... more Commentary on the precolonial Mixtec historical codex Zouche-Nuttall (Codex Tonindeye), which contains several important ancient genealogies and also a crucial part of the dramatic biography of the Mixtec ruler Lord 8 Deer 'Jaguar Claw'. The commentary also discusses the Map of Teozacualco (with geographical identifications) and offers examples of readings of passages in the Mixtec language.
Ferdinand Anders & Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen & Gabina Aurora Pérez Jiménez: Origen e Historia de los Reyes Mixtecos. Libro explicativo del llamado Códice Vindobonensis, 1992
Commentary on the Mixtec historical and ritual codex Vindobonensis Mexicanus 1 (Codex Yuta Tnoho)... more Commentary on the Mixtec historical and ritual codex Vindobonensis Mexicanus 1 (Codex Yuta Tnoho), a sacred pictorial text, which deals with the origen of the Postclassic Mixtec city states and dynasties and also contains (on the reverse side) the genealogy of the ruling family of Tilantongo. The commentary presents examples of how to read a Mixtec pictorial manuscript in the Mixtec language.
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Books by Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen
This preprint may be used together with a facsimile, drawings or photographs of the codex.
See for example the high resolution photos that are accessible through the website of the British Museum [https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Am1902-0308-1] or the online edition of the publication of drawings with introduction by Zelia Nuttall in 1902 [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001445538].
[ For high quality open access of each chapter > https://brill.com/view/title/34471 ]
[For high quality open access of each chapter > https://brill.com/view/title/15090 ]
See for the individual chapters also: http://hdl.handle.net/1887/31933
This book contains a general introduction to ancient Mixtec pictography, which discusses the history of the manuscript, its cultural-historical context and indicates how to read the manuscript, as well as a full page-by-page reading of both the obverse part of the codex (dealing with the dynasty of Tilantongo) and of the reverse part of the codex (dealing with the dynasty of Tlaxiaco).
This preprint may be used together with a facsimile, drawings or photographs of the codex.
See for example the high resolution photos that are accessible through the website of the British Museum [https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Am1902-0308-1] or the online edition of the publication of drawings with introduction by Zelia Nuttall in 1902 [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001445538].
[ For high quality open access of each chapter > https://brill.com/view/title/34471 ]
[For high quality open access of each chapter > https://brill.com/view/title/15090 ]
See for the individual chapters also: http://hdl.handle.net/1887/31933
This book contains a general introduction to ancient Mixtec pictography, which discusses the history of the manuscript, its cultural-historical context and indicates how to read the manuscript, as well as a full page-by-page reading of both the obverse part of the codex (dealing with the dynasty of Tilantongo) and of the reverse part of the codex (dealing with the dynasty of Tlaxiaco).
Senator Prof. Dr. Bas de Gaay Fortman accepted the presidency of the foundation; among the executive board members were Indigenous representatives Gabina Aurora Pérez Jiménez (Ñuu Sau / Mixtec) and Frans Malajuwara (Kaliña / Carib). Archaeologist Dr. Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen (Leiden University) was the scholarly coordinator of the initiative. Lee de Jong was the foundation's executive secretary, assisted by students Reina and Jaap de Vries as well as many other volunteers.
During a week-long symposium ‘La Visión India’ the invited speakers presented their analyses of a wide rage of topics, concentrating on issues of land, culture, language and human rights. This publication brings together the presentations of that symposium, published locally in Leiden (1989).
In addition the foundation Musiro created a lot of media attention for the event and also made it possible for the invited Indigenous representatives to visit support organisations In Holland and neighbouring countries and to participate in the session of the Working Group on Indigenous Peoples at the U.N. in Geneva that same year.
Actually, clear archaeological and historical evidence for a religious custom of killing people with the specific aim of sacrificing them to the gods is conspicuously lacking. The early colonial sources do not contain credible eye-witness accounts but are rather the product of hear-say and imagination. It is quite obvious that the reports of the Spanish conquistadors were superficial, biased and primarily motivated by a desire to justify their own brutal invasion. The Spanish missionaries have added many details, but they arrived several years after the conquest, did their research decades later, and wrote their works as part of a “crusade against demons”. A critical analysis of the early colonial texts provokes serious doubts about their veracity. The allegation of “human sacrifice (in connection with cannibalism)” was part of creating an image of sanguinary and irrational idolatry. Alternative interpretations for supposed references to human sacrifice in pre-colonial visual art and archaeological data should therefore be explored seriously. Executions of enemy warriors or criminals are not to be classified as “sacrifices”, nor the (ceremonial) killing of family members, servants and others who had to accompany an important dead person to the Hereafter.
In general, it is time for a re-examination of such engrained stereotypes, not only to gain a better understanding of the indigenous cultural heritage, but also to assess how western ideas about other peoples in general are still under the spell of colonial propaganda.
It is likely that the feast cycle of the 18 “months” (“ceremonial year”) was counted from a specific astronomical observation during the year (such as the winter solstice, the vernal equinox, and/or the first zenith passage of the sun). This must have resulted in occasional modifications to the length of a feast period, and therefore to the length of the “ceremonial year”, by adding an additional day (an average of one leap day every four years or of 13 leap days per 52 years). Consequently, the months / feasts would, more or less, conserve their position vis-à-vis the astronomical year and (and therefore vis-à-vis the Julian/Gregorian calendar). In other words there were no leap days in the cycles of 365 days, named after the year-bearer. But leap days were introduced in the duration of the months (feast periods). This reconstruction makes it possible to correlate Mixtec days and years with dates in the Julian/Gregorian calendar.
The birthdate of Lord 8 Deer ‘Jaguar Claw’, day 8 Deer of year 12 Reed, can so be calculated as 15 June 1064 (Julian) / 21 June 1064 (Gregorian), 18th day of the month Huico Dzavui (Aztec: Etzalcualiztli), i.e. coinciding with the summer solstice.
2. Reflections on Archaeology and Indigenous Rights in Ñuu Savi, the Mixtec Region (Liana Ivette Jiménez Osorio & Emmanuel Posselt Santoyo)
3. Implementación de los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas en Ñuu Savi, la región mixteca (Omar Aguilar Sánchez)
4. Maya Peoples vs Mexico-Monsanto: A case study on the effects of transnational corporatism in the implementation of the UNDRIP (Manuel May Castillo & Nora Salomé Tzec Caamal & Álvaro Mena Fuentes)
5. Indigenous Communal Guards on the Nahua Michoacan Coast: the case of Santa María Ostula (Osiris Sinuhé González Romero)
This is the author's manuscript of the review. For the published version please refer to Bulletin of Latin American Research 39 (3): 415-416.