CHAPTER 5 THE COLONIAL PERIOD IN MESOAMERICA 195process. Over time, new prayers, new images, new songs, new penances, and new fes-
tivals were adopted whereas many of the old practices were abandoned. But there was
never a sudden and total substitution of a new faithfor an old.
Given that Christianity was not perceived as a spiritually compelling new faith,
what motivated people to make even these changes in their traditional devotions?
With the exception of the native priesthood, most people had little to lose and much
to gain by joining the Church. We have already seen that the presence and support
of the friars benefited the native communities. Other factors may also be noted. The
Spaniards attributed their military success to their god, just as native people did when
they were victorious in warfare. The conquest itself thus was a compelling endorse-
ment of the efficacy of Christian worship. The new god was obviously more power-
ful than the old ones, and many people came to accept the Christian view that their
old deities were demons unworthy of service (Figure 5.6).
Another important factor was the Spanish policy regarding indigenous rulers.
The native nobles were allowed to retain their rank and position and to hold gov-
ernment offices at the city and town levels. However, Spanish officials were more
Figure 5.6 This relief by a native sculptor decorates a sixteenth-century chapel in San Andrés
Calpan, now in the state of Puebla, Mexico. It shows the archangel Saint Michael’s victory over
the Devil. This story was told to native people as an explanation for the origin of their gods,
whom the friars claimed were really devils. Photo provided by authors.