Martin Ocelotl
Encyclopedia
Martín Ocelotl was an Aztec
indigenous
priest (shaman) who was put on trial during New Spain
’s Inquisition
. His last name Ocelotl, means jaguar
in Nahuatl
.
Ocelotl was born into a powerful family from the town of Chinanta (Chinantl) located in Puebla
, Mexico
. His father was a successful merchant while his mother was a well known and effective priestess. It is also believed that because he came from a powerful family, he was considered to be a religious prodigy at young age.
After the downfall of the Aztec Empire, Ocelotl took up residence in the near by and former alliance state of Tetzcoco (Texcoco). It was there that Martín was able to continue his practice of being a successful shaman in the town. He also tried to establish a religious school in which many of the indigenous could be able to continue out their daily religious rituals. However, because the conquest had occurred many indigenous started to convert to Christianity
in order to avoid the Inquisition
.
At the age of twenty-nine, Ocelotl converted to the Roman Catholic faith
and was baptised. He was given the Spanish name Martín. Although Martín was now baptized, he continued to practice the old ways. Rumors about Ocelotl's power spread and many of the priests feared his influence over the converted indigenous community. He was also very wealthy and was able to share with many members within his area. Eventually, he would be accused of using witchcraft
and practicing idolatry.
In the Fall of 1536, he was placed on trial before the Inquisition. According to several witnesses, they were able to recall how Martín Ocelotl used his power and was able to predict when rain was going to occur. Another witness brought up the fact he was the child of powerful sorcerers and claimed to be a more powerful witch. Although there was plenty of evidence to find Martín Ocelotl guilty, he claimed that he was innocent because he believed that he had done nothing wrong.
His case was eventually given to the Bishop Juan de Zumarraga
of New Spain
(Mexico) who made the final decision on what would happen to Martín Ocelotl. On February 10, 1537, Martín Ocelotl was publicly humiliated in front of everyone and was accused of using witchcraft. Martín Ocelotl was also banished from his home and forced to live life imprisoned in Seville
, Habsburg Spain
under the watchful eye of the Spanish Inquisition
.
Unfortunately, according to records the ship that carried Martín Ocelotl to Spain disappears. No one knows what happened to him after his departure.
Aztec
The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a period referred to as the late post-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology.Aztec is the...
indigenous
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
priest (shaman) who was put on trial during New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
’s Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
. His last name Ocelotl, means jaguar
Jaguar
The jaguar is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from Southern United States and Mexico...
in Nahuatl
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
.
Ocelotl was born into a powerful family from the town of Chinanta (Chinantl) located in Puebla
Puebla
Puebla officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Puebla is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 217 municipalities and its capital city is Puebla....
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. His father was a successful merchant while his mother was a well known and effective priestess. It is also believed that because he came from a powerful family, he was considered to be a religious prodigy at young age.
After the downfall of the Aztec Empire, Ocelotl took up residence in the near by and former alliance state of Tetzcoco (Texcoco). It was there that Martín was able to continue his practice of being a successful shaman in the town. He also tried to establish a religious school in which many of the indigenous could be able to continue out their daily religious rituals. However, because the conquest had occurred many indigenous started to convert to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
in order to avoid the Inquisition
Inquisition
The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis , was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy...
.
At the age of twenty-nine, Ocelotl converted to the Roman Catholic faith
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and was baptised. He was given the Spanish name Martín. Although Martín was now baptized, he continued to practice the old ways. Rumors about Ocelotl's power spread and many of the priests feared his influence over the converted indigenous community. He was also very wealthy and was able to share with many members within his area. Eventually, he would be accused of using witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
and practicing idolatry.
In the Fall of 1536, he was placed on trial before the Inquisition. According to several witnesses, they were able to recall how Martín Ocelotl used his power and was able to predict when rain was going to occur. Another witness brought up the fact he was the child of powerful sorcerers and claimed to be a more powerful witch. Although there was plenty of evidence to find Martín Ocelotl guilty, he claimed that he was innocent because he believed that he had done nothing wrong.
His case was eventually given to the Bishop Juan de Zumarraga
Juan de Zumárraga
Juan de Zumárraga was a Spanish Basque Franciscan prelate and first bishop of Mexico.-Origins and arrival in New Spain:...
of New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
(Mexico) who made the final decision on what would happen to Martín Ocelotl. On February 10, 1537, Martín Ocelotl was publicly humiliated in front of everyone and was accused of using witchcraft. Martín Ocelotl was also banished from his home and forced to live life imprisoned in Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, Habsburg Spain
Habsburg Spain
Habsburg Spain refers to the history of Spain over the 16th and 17th centuries , when Spain was ruled by the major branch of the Habsburg dynasty...
under the watchful eye of the Spanish Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
.
Unfortunately, according to records the ship that carried Martín Ocelotl to Spain disappears. No one knows what happened to him after his departure.