PXL_20250424_224942835

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 07:49:22 +0100

Codex Colombino

The Mixtecs referred to their codices as
naandeye or tonindeye, meaning "the
history of lineage/bloodlines"; another term
given to these sacred documents is ñee
ñuhu, which translates to "the sacred skin"
or "skin of god." Most Prehispanic codices
known to us come from the Upper Mixtec
region and were painted by painter-scribes,
or tay huisi tacu. The texts were painted
over large deerskin strips, which were
covered by a thin layer of lime and painted
with mineral and organic pigments. Their
sizes vary; yet, all codices were folded in
an accordion, which was then bound by a
wooden covering. The writing in these
documents is hieroglyphic and pictographic;
thus, by means of images and convention-
alized symbols, the Mixtecs were able to
narrate historical, genealogical and
mythical events.

The tay huisi tacu received an
education allowing the learning of their
pictorial tradition, rituals, and calendar; a
priest probably supervised the work of the
manuscript. The reading of these codices
generally begins in the lower right side of a
page and follows a zigzagging motion from
right to left.