Notes.
Reading edition
“The Chichimecs,” says Sahagun (Hist., Lib. VI., cap. 7), “worshipped only one god, called Mixcoatl.” The Anales de Cuauhtitlan speaks of Mixcoatl as one of the leaders of the ancient Nahuas from their primitive home Chicomoztoc, the land of the Seven Caves. This is what is referred to in the above hymn. In later times Mixcoatl became god of hunting and of the tornado, and his worship extended to the Otomis.
Tzihuactitlan, “the land of the tzihuac bushes,” I have not found mentioned by any of the Spanish authorities, but it is named in connection with Chicomoztoc in an ancient war-song given in my Ancient Nahuatl Poetry, pp. 88 and 140.
The hymn appears to be in memory of the leadership of Mixcoatl in conducting the ancestors of the Nahua on their long wanderings after leaving their pristine seats. It should be read in connection with the earlier pages of the Annals of Cuauhtitlan.
The reduplicated form of the name, Mimixcoatl, is not found elsewhere, and appears to be a poetic license.