Capa (MH703v)

Nahuas had capes of their own, such as the tilmatli and the ayatl, which were tied over the shoulder. But they were also purchasing capes for their local Christian saints and clergy. See the entry for capa in our Online Nahuatl Dictionary, where a lengthy quote from Chimalpahin names a number of people (especially high clergy) who are described as wearing capes. Eventually, the Nahua elite would be petitioning to ride horses, carry swords, and Spanish shirts (over which for many decades they would continue to tie their tilmas). Another adjustment witnessed in manuscripts studied by Justyina Olko, was to tie the tilmas over the chest instead of the shoulder, perhaps to mimic the European cape. (See her book, Insignias of Rank, 337.) That a person would have the name “Cape” or “Shirt” also speaks volumes about Nahuas’ interest in garments introduced by Europeans (see below).