The Biocultural Wonders of Malinalco

Throughout the long history of the Valley of Malinalco, nature has been interwoven with culture in what we now call biocultural species.

In Nahuatl, malinalli means to twist, weave, or coil. Malinalco means “the place where grass grows,” referring to a native grass known as malinalli or “coalman  grass,” abundant in the region.

The malinalli (Muhlenbergia macroura) is a tufted grass that grows in dense clumps from a single root. It was used in ceremonies, for medicinal purposes, and in everyday life—for instance, to make brushes and brooms.

More than 1,000 animal species inhabit the Valley of Malinalco, including the red-tailed hawk, armadillo, ringtail, rabbit, coyote, bobcat, iguana, various lizards, freshwater shrimp, vermilion flycatcher, roadrunner, owls, vultures, butterflies, and many other insects.

Introduced species such as rainbow trout also live here. Although trout have become an important economic attraction for Malinalco, they can have negative effects on native stream and river fauna.

On September 28 and 29, the people of Malinalco celebrate the periconada and the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel. To ward off evil spirits, they make crosses from yauhtli or pericón (a yellow flower related to the mexican marigold) and place them in homes and cornfields.

In ancient times, yauhtli was associated with Tlaloc, the rain lord. It has also been used as incense, as a seasoning for corn, and as a medicinal plant.

The Matlatzinca kingdom of Malinalco was required to pay tribute to the Mexica every three or six months. Corn, beans, amaranth, chia, and yccotl cloth were their main offerings. Yccotl (Yucca aloifolia) is also known as henequén.

Two ceremonial musical instruments come from Malinalco.
The tlalpanhuéhuetl is a vertical drum carved with detailed figures of eagle and jaguar warriors, and with the symbol Nahui Ollin, which represents movement.

The teponaztli, or slit drum, is decorated with the image of an ahuizotl, a mythical aquatic creature from Mexican tradition. Its wood—granadillo—is highly resonant and is still used today to make guitars around the world.

Halfway up the southern slope of Mount Texcaltepec, also known as the Hill of the Idols, lies the Cuauhcalli—the House of the Eagles. This site is unique in the Americas, carved directly into the mountain’s rock face.

The temple was built by the Mexica as a ceremonial space and contains powerful symbols. Its entrance takes the form of the earth monster’s open mouth, and inside stand sculptures of eagles (cuauhtli) and jaguars (ocelotl).

The Mural on the Walls of the Augustinian Convent
The cloister walls of the Convent of Malinalco display a splendid mural painted by Indigenous artists using European pictorial techniques.

They decorated the walls with biblical landscapes, plants, and animals. In the mural, 31 species of medicinal plants have been identified, including the magnolia (Yoloxóchitl), poppy (Xiloxochitl), Cacaloxóchitl or Mexican Plumeria, and the orchid Coatzontecoxóchitl.