Religion Across the Americas

Following the 16th Century invasion of the Anahuac by Hernán Cortés different forms of assimilation, acculturation, accommodation took place amongst the Nahua people throughout the centuries. Notwithstanding, the Nahua resisted and persevered to become an enduring people. A distinct Nahua ontology, in contrast to Western forms of ontology arising from Aristotle and a consequent arising therefrom - namely, an emphasis on imagination - has contributed to Nahua perseverance. A result of the Nahua worldview is an emphasis on work, discipline, and penance. This is expressed in collective community, obligations to the earth, and self-identity with respect for difference. An inclusion of variety of modern Nahua voices, arising from interviews across Mexico is included to support these claims. These voices also shed light on the past, particularly where the Nahua fell at diverse times on the three pillar modalities which facilitate change in subaltern-dominant group interactions: assimilation, acculturation, accommodation.