The Totonacs were polytheists. The main cult surrendered to the sun, with human sacrifices. They worshipped the Goddess of Corn (wife of the sun). But their sacrifices were not human, so they offered animal sacrifices and offerings of herbs and flowers.
The Totonacs were the first natives who Cortes met in Mexico in 1519. The Totonacs had their own traditions and cultural values. They established important centers of population at Cempoala and Tajin, in Veracruz, where traditional deities are still worshipped. The Totonacs had maintained an independent kingdom, until subjugated by the Aztec twenty five years before the arrival of the Spaniards.
Aztec domination weakened the Totonac rulers. Being compelled by their conquerors of a heavy tribute, including the seizure of their people for slaves, they were ripe for revolt and their king. Eager to defeat the Aztecs, the Totonac helped the Spanish invaders. The Franciscan clergy evangelized Totonacapan, where they built churches with Indian labor and converted the community to Catholicism. Where they faced culture change.
In conclusion “the ancient Totonac culture was discovered again at the end of the 19th century by the Mexican and historian Francisco del Paso y Troncoso.”
“Totonac Indians.” CATHOLIC LIBRARY: Sublimus Dei (1537), http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14794a.htm.In-text Citation
“Totonac – History and Cultural Relations.” Countries and Their Cultures, http://www.everyculture.com/Middle-America-Caribbean/Totonac-History-and-Cultural-Relations.html.
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