AskHistorians

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Zapotec cultures have "Muxes", people born male at birth but dress and behave as women which is described as a third gender. Was this rooted in Mesoamerican culture and if it is, what their view on gender an outlier among Mesoamerica?	263
I was told once that ancient Egypt censored parts of their folklore because they believed speaking of evil would bring more evil into the world. Is this true and why?	218
Teotihuacan was the most influential and powerful city state of its time, with control over a large trade network. They worshiped a "spider goddess" but this goddess doesn't seem to show up in later pantheons after the city was abandoned. Why?	207
The Aztecs believed that part of your soul left your body when you slept, and existed in the dream world as a Nagual, if that Nagual got hurt you would be hurt in real life. Where exactly did this soul go during sleep? Where did this dream world exist within their religion? One of the 13 heavens?	137
The Pochteca were an Aztec merchant guild said to be richest people in North America, and also known for their fighting prowess. Does this imply banditry was very common in Aztec lands?	102
Mesoamericans believed the day of your birth decided your entire life from your name to where you most likely can go to school, and even how happy your life would be. There were 5 "bad days" avoided at all costs else their child be cursed to a bad life. Why were these days bad?	74
I read Aztec doctors had low social standing despite having to complete schooling, including surgery to remove tumors and curing serious illnesses. Why is this?	61
In Mesoamerica the elite universities were Calmecacs that normally accepted nobility to study high level subjects but a commoner could get in if they showed promise. How could a commoner show promise to an elite mesoamerican university?	57
The Aztecs believed that the day of your birth determined the rest of your life, your name, social status, and avoided the 5 "bad days" at all costs. What happened to someone born on a "bad day"? Why where these days bad?	45
Across Native America from the Aztecs to the Navajo there is an emphasis on concepts like 4 cardinal directions, 3 part souls, and the importance of duality to achieve balance. Is there any explanation how separate religions came to value the same group of concepts?	38

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