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Cats are fascinating animals that have been living with humans for thousands of years. They have been revered, feared, worshipped, and loved by different civilizations around the world. In this article, we will explore the role of cats in ancient cultures of Latin America, a region that spans from Mexico to Argentina and encompasses diverse peoples, languages, and traditions.
The Jaguar: The Divine Feline of Mesoamerica
One of the most iconic cats in Latin American history is the jaguar, the largest and most powerful feline in the Americas. The jaguar was more than just an animal to the ancient peoples of Mesoamerica, the geographic region comprising Mexico and Central America. It was a symbol of political and military power, a link between the worlds of life and death, and a manifestation of the divine.
Almost every ancient Mesoamerican civilization revered the jaguar in some way. The Olmec (circa 1200-400 B.C.), considered to be the first major civilization in Mesoamerica, heavily featured jaguars in their art and religion. They carved sculptures of cats and depicted deities who appeared to be half human, half jaguar, which scholars describe as were-jaguars. These hybrid beings represented the transformational power of the jaguar and its ability to cross boundaries between nature and culture.
The Maya, who flourished from 250 to 900 A.D., also connected the magnificent feline's abilities with various natural phenomena. They believed that the jaguar's ability to see at night made it possible for it to move between worlds, associating it with the underworld and mortality. They also associated it with the sun, as they believed that a jaguar carried the sun across the sky during the day and through the underworld at night. Maya art and architecture are also filled with jaguars, the most famous perhaps is the red jaguar throne found in El Castillo, the great pyramid of Chichén Itzá.
The Aztec and Mexica peoples, who dominated central Mexico from 1300 to 1521 A.D., also regarded the jaguar as an animal of the stars as well as of the earth. They linked it to the earth goddess Tlaltecuhtli, who was often represented with a jaguar's claws, and to the rain god Tlaloc, who was said to send thunderstorms by roaring like a jaguar. They also created military orders of jaguar warriors, who wore jaguar skins and helmets and fought with courage and ferocity.
In all these cultures, the jaguar was a universal symbol of prestige and power. Only kings, priests, and warriors could wear its spotted pelts or use its name as an epithet. The jaguar was also an icon for the brave hunter, who had to face this formidable predator in the wild. The jaguar was respected and feared, but also admired and emulated by the ancient peoples of Mesoamerica.
The Domestic Cat: A Gift from the Old World
While the jaguar was native to Latin America, another cat species was not: the domestic cat. This small but charming animal originated in the Near East, where it was domesticated by Mesopotamian farmers around 12,000 years ago as a means of controlling pests such as mice and rats. From there, it spread to other regions such as Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China, and Japan, where it became a beloved companion and a cultural icon.
The domestic cat arrived in Latin America with European settlers, who brought them along to protect their food supplies from rodents. Cats were also valued for their companionship and their ability to adapt to different environments. Some cats even accompanied explorers and conquerors on their voyages across the continent.
One famous example is Negrillo (meaning "little black one"), a black cat that belonged to Pedro de Alvarado (1485-1541), a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Mexico and Central America. Negrillo was said to be Alvarado's favorite pet and companion, and he followed him on his expeditions to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Peru. Negrillo was also a brave fighter, who defended his master from enemies and wild animals. He reportedly killed a venomous snake that was about to bite Alvarado, and survived a jaguar attack that left him with scars on his face.
Negrillo's exploits were recorded by chroniclers such as Bernal Díaz del Castillo (1492-1584), who wrote in his Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nueva España (The True History of the Conquest of New Spain): "He was a very good cat, and very loyal to his master, and he would go with him wherever he went, and he would sleep at his feet. And he was very fierce, and he would attack anyone who tried to harm his master, and he would kill snakes and other vermin."
Negrillo's fame was such that he even became the subject of legends and folktales in Latin America. Some stories say that he was a witch's familiar who helped Alvarado in his conquests, or that he was a reincarnated warrior who had a pact with the devil. Others say that he was a guardian angel who protected Alvarado from harm, or that he was a noble animal who sacrificed himself for his master. Whatever the truth may be, Negrillo is an example of how cats became part of Latin American history and culture.
The Puma: The Sacred Mountain Cat of the Andes
Another cat that played an important role in Latin American culture is the puma, also known as the cougar or the mountain lion. This large and graceful cat is native to the Americas, where it inhabits a wide range of habitats from Canada to Patagonia. It is an agile and adaptable hunter, capable of killing prey larger than itself. It is also elusive and solitary, preferring to avoid contact with humans.
The puma was especially revered by the ancient cultures of the Andes, the mountain range that runs along the western coast of South America. The Andean peoples admired the puma for its strength, speed, and beauty, and considered it a sacred animal that represented the spirit of the mountains. They also associated it with the sun, as they believed that a puma carried the sun on its back from east to west every day.
The most influential Andean civilization was the Inca Empire (1438-1533 A.D.), which stretched from present-day Colombia to Chile and encompassed millions of people from diverse ethnic groups. The Inca had a sophisticated system of administration, religion, art, and architecture that reflected their cosmology and worldview. They divided their empire into four regions or suyus, each corresponding to one of the four cardinal directions and one of the four sacred animals: the condor (antiz) for the north, the snake (amaru) for the south, the puma (puma) for the west, and the hummingbird (q'inti) for the east.
The puma was the symbol of the western region or Qullasuyu, which included parts of modern-day Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. It was also the symbol of the Inca capital city of Cusco (meaning "navel" or "center" in Quechua), which was said to be shaped like a puma when seen from above. The head of the puma was represented by the fortress of Sacsayhuamán (meaning "satisfied falcon" in Quechua), which still stands today as a testimony of Inca engineering and architecture.
The Inca rulers also identified themselves with the puma, as they claimed to be descendants of the sun god Inti and wore puma skins and claws as insignia of their authority. They also used puma imagery in their art and rituals, such as in pottery, textiles, metalwork, and mummification. The puma was a source of inspiration and awe for the Inca and other Andean cultures.
The Ocelot: The Spotted Cat of the Rainforest
A smaller but equally captivating cat is the ocelot, a medium-sized feline that inhabits tropical and subtropical forests from Texas to Argentina. The ocelot is known for its striking coat pattern, which consists of black spots, rosettes, and stripes on a yellowish-brown background. It is an excellent climber and swimmer, and feeds on a variety of prey, such as rodents, birds, reptiles, and fish.
The ocelot was admired by the indigenous cultures of the Amazon rainforest, the largest and most biodiverse tropical forest in the world. The Amazon is home to hundreds of ethnic groups, each with their own language, customs, and beliefs. Many of these groups have a close relationship with nature and animals, and regard them as sources of wisdom and power.
One of these groups is the Shipibo-Conibo, who live in the Ucayali region of Peru. The Shipibo-Conibo are known for their intricate geometric designs that they paint on pottery, textiles, and their own bodies. These designs are inspired by their visions during ayahuasca ceremonies, a traditional practice that involves drinking a psychoactive brew made from plants. The Shipibo-Conibo believe that these designs are the language of nature and the spirits, and that they can communicate with them through sound and vibration.
The ocelot is one of the animals that the Shipibo-Conibo revere and emulate. They call it raini, which means "grandfather" or "ancestor" in their language. They consider it a master of the forest and a teacher of hunting and healing. They also believe that some people have an ocelot as their ronin, or animal spirit companion, which gives them special abilities and protection.
The Shipibo-Conibo also use ocelot skins and teeth to make clothing and ornaments that they wear during ceremonies and festivals. They believe that by wearing these items, they can channel the energy and qualities of the ocelot, such as stealth, agility, and beauty. The ocelot is a respected and revered animal for the Shipibo-Conibo and other Amazonian cultures.
The Margay: The Imitator Cat of the Treetops
A relative of the ocelot is the margay, a small cat that lives in the treetops of Central and South America. The margay is similar to the ocelot in appearance, but has larger eyes, longer legs, and a longer tail. It is one of the most arboreal cats in the world, spending most of its time in the canopy. It can jump up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) between branches, and can even rotate its hind feet 180 degrees to climb down trees headfirst.
The margay is also known for its remarkable vocal abilities. It can mimic the sounds of other animals, such as monkeys, birds, frogs, and even other cats. It uses this skill to lure its prey closer, or to avoid predators and competitors. The margay is a clever and elusive hunter, who can exploit its environment and its vocal repertoire to survive.
The margay was appreciated by some pre-Columbian cultures for its fur and its voice. The Maya used margay skins to make ceremonial garments, such as cloaks, headdresses, and masks. They also depicted the margay in their art, such as in murals, sculptures, and codices (books made from bark paper). The Maya associated the margay with the underworld and the night, as well as with music and dance.
The Chavín culture (900-200 B.C.), which developed in the northern highlands of Peru, also valued the margay for its vocal skills. They carved stone heads of felines with human features that they placed in their temples and plazas. These heads had tubes or ducts inside them that could produce sounds when air was blown through them. Some scholars suggest that these sounds were meant to imitate the calls of the margay or other cats, creating a sonic effect that enhanced the religious experience of the Chavín people.
The margay was a source of fascination and inspiration for some ancient cultures of Latin America.
The Jaguarundi: The Odd Cat of the Scrublands
A less known but equally interesting cat is the jaguarundi, a small cat that inhabits lowland areas from Texas to Argentina. The jaguarundi is unlike any other cat in its appearance and behavior. It has a slender body, a long tail, short legs, small ears, and a flattened face. It comes in two color phases: red-brown or gray-black. It is active during the day, unlike most cats who are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). It prefers open habitats such as grasslands, scrublands, and savannas, rather than dense forests.
The jaguarundi is also unusual in its diet and vocalizations. It feeds mainly on small rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects, but it also eats fruits and vegetation. It has a wide range of sounds, including whistles, chirps, purrs, hisses, and growls. It is more social than other cats, and can form pairs or small groups. It is also more tolerant of human presence, and can live in agricultural and suburban areas.
The jaguarundi was not as prominent in ancient cultures as other cats, but it was still recognized and respected by some indigenous groups. The Guaraní people, who live in Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia, call it yaguá pytá, which means "red dog" or "red beast" in their language. They consider it a relative of the jaguar, and a symbol of courage and cunning.
The Tehuelche people, who live in Patagonia, Argentina, call it güiña, which means "little cat" or "little jaguar" in their language. They believe that it has magical powers, and that it can help them find water and prey. They also use its fur to make clothing and accessories.
The jaguarundi is a unique and adaptable cat that has coexisted with humans for a long time.
Conclusion
Cats are amazing animals that have captivated humans for millennia. In Latin America, cats have played an important role in the history and culture of different civilizations. From the majestic jaguar to the mysterious margay, cats have been symbols of power, spirituality, wisdom, and beauty. They have also been companions, helpers, and teachers of humans. Cats have enriched the lives of Latin Americans in many ways.
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