December 04, 2025

Throwback: Four Things about the Mexika Calendar

52 minutes

With the passing of the Spring Equinox, we once again bring another year to a close. “In Xiwitl itlamiliz” The year has ended. This means it is once again time for the annual online arguments over whose calendar system follows the correct correlation.

We here at the Tales from Aztlantis world headquarters thought it would be helpful to lay out four things you should remember about the ancestral Mexika calendar that might help you discern which calendars are based on solid evidence, and which ones are…lacking to say the least. Now, we are not here to tell you which correlation to follow. Rather, we want to equip you with some basic concepts about the calendar system so that you might have an informed opinion to help guide your further research. But also, you should probably just go ahead and buy the calendar that Kurly just published along with Ruben Ochoa.

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!

Support the show

Your Hosts:

Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.
@kurlytlapoyawa

Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.

Find us: