Los Primeros “ Americanos,” The history behind the mountains.

Los Primeros “ Americanos” 

The history behind the mountains. 

My interest in coming to Oaxaca is base primarily on my quest to learn of Mexico’s history. We learned in our readings that, the Spaniards interest in coming to Oaxaca was largely due to the valley’s atural resources and their quest for plunders. Although, the Spanish and I have opposite interests, we are both strangers is a land full of wealth. The Spaniards came for materialistic wealth; I came for the historical wealth.  Unlike the Spaniards, I was able to climb to the summit of Monte Alban’s recently excavated ruins. 

Climbing Monte Alban, my quest to acquire knowledge of Mexico’s history began. I learn that Monte Alban is the city capital of Zapotec; it was populated with indigenous people who had their own religion and adaptation to their location and environment. Since the Spaniards were more interested in the natural resources and people in the valley, the never saw the ruins of the Monte Alban which was discovered in the 1930s. This is important because our reading, Born in Blood and Fire by John Charles Chasteen mentions that, “the Spanish invaders were not soldiers but undisciplined adventurers seeking private fortunes…. the first to arrive laid claim to the indigenous inhabitants and, eventually, the land, leaving little for the next wave of adventurers.” (49).  Therefore, I could imagine that if the Spaniards had reached the Monte Alban, the remains of the Zapotec’s temples, platforms, and pyramids would have been destroyed.  This would have been unfortunate, because as I got closer to the pyramids of the Monte Alban, I could almost recreate the ways of life of the inhabitants. This was of course, with the help of our tour guide, Gabrielle, who was very knowledgeable of Monte Albans’ history. 

As the Spanish came closer to the valley they wanted more materials, as a climbed higher, I also wanted more knowledge of the history behind the ruins. I wanted to know what each pyramid represented, why were they built in the mountains? How does one explain the steep staircases? What was the population like? Etc.  Our tour guide did his best to acknowledge my concerns. I thought his explanation of the steep staircase was very interesting. I learn from his explanation, the stairs were only climb when individuals made sacrifice to their gods. I also learn that, the people’s understanding of the environment was base on nature; therefore there were gods for each natural occurrence. Like the Spanish who craved the wealth of the valley, I stood on Monte Alban and craved the wealth of historical knowledge that was there. 

As I continue to seek for a better knowledge of Monte Alban, our tour guide introduces us to the stone –carved walls and their signifnance. In our reading, The Mexico that Spain Encountered by Susan Schroeder mentions that, “Monte Alban is known for the Danzantes, an arresting formative period of parade of stone-carved wall panels showing some 150 representations of dead nude male figures” (65).  When I read about the Danzantes I was anxious to see these carvings.  It was explained to us that these Danzates were dancer who held prestigious position and were probably given up for sacrificed during wars.  Schroeder also mentions that, “ the Danzantes are haunting reminders of the cycles of violence and upheaval that societies suffered even during the earliest years of Mesoamerica history”(65). The history of Monte Alban was not only in the ruins, but also in the rocks. 

Our tour ended shortly after we saw the stonewall carvings; we were giving the opportunity to climb the pyramids.  We climbed the pyramid facing north of the other ruins. While everyone relaxed, I was baffled with all the knowledge I gained. But, I knew there was more I could history behind the ruins. Therefore, I anticipated doing farther research. 

Lastly, Oaxaca is not immune to visitors coming in and extracting something from their city. Even though everyone has different goals in mind. We all tend to leave with some wealth of Oaxaca. I will be leaving Oaxaca with historical wealth, and the Spanish economical wealth. I would have never came to Oaxaca if I did not know that it had such rich history. 

Danique Williams 

Los Primeros “Americanos”