When I did the 1930s Mexican nationalism began to reclaim its pre-Hispanic past and rescue icons of the country. one in particular which stood out for its symbolism: the xoloitzcuintle. His name may not mean much to you, but you’ve probably seen him in photos or movies like ‘Coconut’by Pixar. He xoloas it is commonly known, is a dog breed originally from Mexico that stands out for two great reasons. First, because of his appearance, bald and athletic. Second, because of its history, which dates back to several millennia ago and connects with the Aztecs.
For them the xoloitzcuintle was not just a pet, but a symbol associated with death and the last companion of the deceased on their journey to Mictlanthe Mexican underworld.
A name that says it all. It seems like a tongue twister, but “xoloitzcuintle” is not only the name of a breed of dog native to Mexico. The word, from nahuatlthe language of the ancient Mexica, is in a way a description. There is who believes which is the combination of ‘Xolotl’the god of fire and death, and ‘itzcuintli’, which means dog. Others consider that the first part of the word is more of a nod to the hairless appearance of the animal, so it would be translated as “strange or wrinkled dog”.
In either case, it is a fantastic business card for the ‘xolo’, a breed that has been linked to Mexico for millennia and stands out both for its exterior appearance and for its history and symbolic value. Hence, in the 1930s, the country’s nationalist movement “exalted her as a national symbol,” comment Raúl Valadez Azúa, from the Anthropological Research Institute (IIA) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM.
No hair or premolars. Its symbolic value may not be obvious, but as a breed the Xoloitzcuintle is unmistakable. Although there are examples of different sizes and varieties with and without hair, usually their specimens are distinguished by two characteristics: They are hairless and lack premolars. The reason must be sought in their genetic pool. During their first embryonic phase, three layers are formed in the xoloitzcuintle, like remember from the UMAN: the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. The latter, however, is affected by a mutation that affects the teeth and fur.
“It cannot be denied that a hairless dog is at a disadvantage. For example, when fighting with other dogs or in the face of climate changes. Despite this, after 2,000 years, it is still here,” reflect Valadez. Its peculiar condition also presents some advantages that have favored its bond with humans. Since it lacks hair, it is easy for us to feel its heat, which in the past caused xolos to be used with therapeutic purposes to relieve rheumatism or muscle pain. Just like huge hot water bottles.
“A decision of the gods”. “The people of the region considered that, although the bald dog was a strange animal, its appearance responded to a decision of the gods and that therefore it was not up to them to kill it or decide its fate. Thus, they accepted it like the other dogs and called it xoloitzcuintle,” duck the UNAM expert. The result is fascinating: a characteristic that a priori could have represented a disadvantage compared to other races, ended up becoming a sign of identity that strengthened its symbolic value and the bond with men.
An ancient race. If the appearance of the xolo is peculiar, its history is no less so. Experts believe the breed can date back to at least 2,000 years ago (there are those who place it even further back, to 3,500 years ago), emerged in western Mexico and after 500 years it began to disperse following two routes: one took it to South America, the other to Tula, Teotihuacán and Mayan territories.
Its link with humans is also very old. Researchers have found remains dating back to 7th century and they seem to associate it, already at that time, with funerary contexts. They even suggest that he was attributed a role as guardian of sacred spaces.
The Aztec dog. The remains of bones and ceramic fragments have allowed experts to better understand the role that dogs had in pre-Hispanic Mexico, where they were used for both eminently practical and symbolic purposes. Valadez remember For example, there are testimonies that speak of ritual sacrifices of hairless dogs in times of drought or during mass ceremonies, as well as others that reveal how their scavenging habits ended up associating them with death.
“These animals were linked to the underworld because somehow what they ate in the underworld was converted into fecal matter, organic waste that was incorporated into the earth to pass to the underworld and, subsequently, returned to the earth as fertilizer that nourished the plants and, therefore, life,” reflect the expert However, if the xolo stands out for something, if something has earned it the nickname ‘Aztec dog’is the spiritual role that was attributed to it.
The last companion. Its role in pre-Hispanic religiosity was so relevant that even today they highlight it the Mexican authorities, who have even designated the October 27 as ‘National Xoloitzcuintle Day’. Mythology claimed that when a person died, their essence undertook a journey to the underworld (Mictlán) that forced them, among other things, to cross the river Chiconahuapan. For that journey, however, he needed the help of the xolo, who would lend him a hand (or not) depending on how he would have behaved in life.
Over the last few decades, researchers have found remains of dogs in graves, which has allowed them to confirm the belief that the deceased should be buried accompanied by a dog. Of course, with an important nuance: although at first it was believed that xolos were the favorite breed for that rite, the really relevant factor was the color of the coat. It had to be toasted. Other meanings were attributed to white or black hair that made them invalid for the journey to the afterlife.
Images Milton Martínez / Secretariat of Culture of Mexico City (Flickr) 1, 2 and Octavio Cárdenas (Flickr)
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