Latin American Studies Center, UCLA – serie

Beyond the Codices: The Nahua View of Colonial Mexico explores a lesser-known yet rich corpus of Nahuatl texts that reflect the dynamic cultural and social changes experienced by indigenous communities in colonial Mexico. While much of classical Nahuatl scholarship has focused on pre-Columbian legends, annals, and poetry—often presented in elaborately illustrated "codices"—this study turns its attention to everyday records such as wills, land transactions, municipal council minutes, tax records, and petitions. These documents provide a more immediate and practical perspective on post-conquest life, revealing how indigenous communities navigated the colonial system and adapted their traditions to new realities.The book seeks to make these scattered, unpublished, and linguistically challenging records more accessible by presenting a selection of transcribed, translated, and annotated texts. This "second world" of Nahuatl documentation, though initially daunting due to its standardized and legalistic forms, can be understood more easily once a single model document is mastered. Drawing on key sources such as the Coyoacan papers from Mexico's Archivo General de la Nación and UCLA's McAfee Collection, the authors aim to provide scholars with the tools to unlock this overlooked repository of indigenous colonial history. Their work underscores the importance of these texts in broadening our understanding of the complex interplay between indigenous and colonial cultures.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1976.

Contemporary Mexico: Insights from the IV International Congress of Mexican History brings together an interdisciplinary collection of papers presented at the 1973 Congress held in Santa Monica, California. This landmark volume delves into the complexities of 20th-century Mexican history through diverse perspectives, including anthropology, economics, political science, sociology, and more. The contributors aim to provide a nuanced and comprehensive view of Mexico's modern developments, offering new interpretations, reevaluations, and a synthesis of the latest research. From pre-Hispanic themes to land reform, political transitions, and cultural shifts, this work captures the evolving scholarly focus on Mexico’s rich and multifaceted history, reflecting the growing maturity and internationalization of Mexican studies.The book also highlights the transformation of the Congresses themselves, charting their evolution from a focus on U.S.-Mexico comparative history to a specialized exploration of Mexican realities. Featuring insights from distinguished scholars, including analysis of social dynamics, leadership roles, and international relations, Contemporary Mexico stands as a critical resource for students, researchers, and anyone interested in the historical forces shaping modern Mexico. The volume not only underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration but also points toward future directions for Mexican studies in a global context.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1976.

Beyond the Codices: The Nahua View of Colonial Mexico explores a lesser-known yet rich corpus of Nahuatl texts that reflect the dynamic cultural and social changes experienced by indigenous communities in colonial Mexico. While much of classical Nahuatl scholarship has focused on pre-Columbian legends, annals, and poetry—often presented in elaborately illustrated "codices"—this study turns its attention to everyday records such as wills, land transactions, municipal council minutes, tax records, and petitions. These documents provide a more immediate and practical perspective on post-conquest life, revealing how indigenous communities navigated the colonial system and adapted their traditions to new realities.The book seeks to make these scattered, unpublished, and linguistically challenging records more accessible by presenting a selection of transcribed, translated, and annotated texts. This "second world" of Nahuatl documentation, though initially daunting due to its standardized and legalistic forms, can be understood more easily once a single model document is mastered. Drawing on key sources such as the Coyoacan papers from Mexico's Archivo General de la Nación and UCLA's McAfee Collection, the authors aim to provide scholars with the tools to unlock this overlooked repository of indigenous colonial history. Their work underscores the importance of these texts in broadening our understanding of the complex interplay between indigenous and colonial cultures.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1976.