The similarities and the differences in the foods eaten by the Aztecs, the Inuit, and the Dakota are how they harvested and hunted their food as well as how they prepared their food. One important thing to consider when comparing these tribes is the areas in which they lived. The Aztecs lived in the Valley of Mexico, this area The goal of this article is to inform, as well as teach about the cuisine of this small portion of Native American culture.
Staples of the Aztecs
The Aztecs, similar to many other Native American tribes, ate a variety of foods. The main staple of their diet included corn or maize, which was prepared in a variety of ways. Most commonly corn was ground into flour for the preparation of tortillas, but was also used to make other dishes such as stews, tamales and corn on the cob. The second main staple of the diet was beans. Beans were a part of every meal similar to the tortilla. Another aspect of the Aztec diet was the chili pepper. These ranged in taste from mild and sweet to very spicy. Other main staples included: avocados, tomatoes, and many different varieties of squash. The main fruit found in the Aztec diet was the prickly pear which comes from the nopale or prickly pear cactus and has a very sweet flavor. Meat eaten in the Aztec diet was not a highly common thing. They ate some meat, however, and it included dogs, turkeys, and Muscovy duck. The Aztecs did get additional protein in their diet from sources that are not as commonly eaten today, such as insects and algae.
Aztec Agriculture
For agriculture, the Aztecs used different farming techniques based on the landscape to cultivate crops. The farming method began with building long terrace walls to create a flat area for planting since they lived in a very sloping and somewhat mountainous area in the Valley of Mexico. When the Aztecs began farming they used a technique called rainfall cultivation which involved using a digging stick or a coa. A coa was flat and was used to make a hole in the ground in which they added the seeds of what was being planted. Farming in the valley areas utilized a vast irrigation system. For swamp areas, long ditches were dug to drain the water away, islands were built up on which they would plant, and wooden stakes were used to hold the fields together by driving them into the bottom of the lake. Farming in urban areas took place in gardens owned and tended by individual families.
Hunting Practices of the Aztecs
Very little hunting was practiced in the Aztec culture, mainly only small game. They did domesticate the dog, turkey, and the Muscovy duck. Rarely have archaeologists found the bones of any large animals near Aztec ruins. One aspect, however, did include ritual cannibalism which can be seen as a form of hunting, although scientists are torn regarding whether it was solely a religious action or also supplied them with their protein needs.
References
Aztec-Indians.com. 2008. 11 Feb. 2009.
Smith, Michael E. The Aztecs. Cambridge: Blackwell, 1996.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture & Food and Nutrition Services. Nutrition Education for Native Americans: A Guide for Nutrition Educators. Washington: GPO, 1984.
Route 66. Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Food Network. 27 Feb. 2009.
For more information see Harvesting and Hunting Practices of Native Americans; Diet, Agriculture and Hunting Practices of the Dakota and Inuit and The Aztecs and Religious Consumption
Tiffany Chavis - A classically trained chef, Tiffany works extensively with seafood, wild game and traditional American cuisines.
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