tlama (MH779v)

tlama (MH779v)
Simplex Glyph

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This black-line drawing of the simplex glyph for the occupation of tlama (“physican” or “healer”) is attested here as a man’s name. The glyph shows a frontal view of what may be a rectangular woven container (such as a petlacalli). Sitting on top of this container is what may be a ceramic jug in a profile view with the handle on the right side. On each side of this pitcher is a round-bottomed bowl (such as a gourd xicalli). On the front of each of these bowls in a simple design, perhaps something like that on the bowl of octli. Thus, the glyph seems to present a medical kit that a doctor would use to treat patients.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

Four other glyphs for the occupation of tlama in this digital collection all include ceramic jugs or pitchers. The shapes and the nature of the handles of these pitchers vary somewhat, but they all have at least one instrument emerging up over the top of the opening of the jug.

Added Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Gloss Image: 
Gloss Diplomatic Transcription: 

tlama

Gloss Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Date of Manuscript: 

1560

Creator's Location (and place coverage): 

Huejotzingo, Puebla

Syntax: 
Cultural Content, Credit: 

Jeff Haskett-Wood

Shapes and Perspectives: 
Keywords: 

curandero

Glyph or Iconographic Image: 
Relevant Nahuatl Dictionary Word(s): 
Image Source: 

Matrícula de Huexotzinco, folio 779v, World Digital Library, https://www.loc.gov/resource/gdcwdl.wdl_15282/?sp=633&st=image.

Image Source, Rights: 

This manuscript is hosted by the Library of Congress and the World Digital Library; used here with the Creative Commons, “Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License” (CC-BY-NC-SAq 3.0).

Historical Contextualizing Image: