Áxit clumsily sweeps one of the many chambers of Xochimazatl’s residence. Despite being a domestic servant, he is terrible at doing housework. Everyone knows that is not his primary responsibility anyway.
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Áxit (‘nopal cactus’ in the Totonac language) is a weasel from the coastal Totonac city-state of Cuetlaxtlan. Cuetlaxtlan was first conquered by Motecuhzoma Ilhuicamina in the 1450s, but they repeatedly revolted against the Mexica overlords until Tizocic’s reign. Ahuitzotl, whom Xochimazatl serves, appears to be the only Mexica tlatoque that Cuetlaxtlan did not revolt against.
So, I can imagine Xochimazatl frequenting the place as an ambassador to negotiate tribute and strengthen their relationship with Tenochtitlan. The local lords presented Áxit to Xochimazatl as a diplomatic ‘gift’. Because of his hypersexual tendencies, the Totonacs would already know that the best way to satisfy Xochimazatl is to provide him with attractive men and women.
Áxit reflects the homosexuality in Totonacapan as described in some sources. Most notably, Bernal Díaz del Castillo wrote that male prostitution and cross-dressing were common among the ruling class of Cempohuallan, another important Totonac center. Some argue that this is a fabrication to justify the conquest. Even so, phallic cult and homosexuality are attested in the neighboring Huastecs, who shared many cultural elements with the Totonacs. It is a complicated topic because there aren’t many sources from the Totonacs and Huastecs themselves. However, we now know that sexual customs in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica were far more complex and diverse than previously thought.
Áxit is wearing a red maxtlatl (loincloth) and tilmatli cacamoliuhqui, the ‘quilted cloak’. It is unclear if this cloak was actually quilted or if it refers to the checkered pattern drawn on the cloak. The design is based on the tribute list of Cuetlaxtlan from Codex Mendoza. He is also wearing an obsidian ear flare and a coral bead bracelet. The white headband is based on the Codex Xicotepec, which is one of the rare Totonac codices that survives to this day.
The feathered coyote statue in the niche of the wall is inspired by the statue housed in Museo Nacional de Antropología. As far as I know, there are no visible pigments left on this statue, so the color here is based on the tlecoyotl (fire coyote) drawing from Primeros Memoriales.
The mural on the wall is based on the Codex Borbonicus. The ‘huastec’ priests on the left, wearing a conical hat and giant paper phallus, is from the drawing of the fertility ritual held in the month of Ochpaniztli, which means 'sweeping.' Huehuecoyotl on the right signifies male sexuality and mischief; both are related to Áxit’s personality.
Lastly, the Tlaloc vase on the back is based on a pottery pot from Museo Nacional de Antropología. The prickly pear cactus is a nod to the name Áxit (‘nopal’).