A Historical and Anthropological Account

'In Indian Mexico' delves into the lives of the numerous ethnic groups that constituted the indigenous majority of Mexico at the time. The book explores various aspects: their traditional livelihoods (agriculture, crafts, hunting), social structures, religious beliefs and practices (often syncretic with Catholicism), languages, and their interactions with the dominant Spanish colonial and later Mexican national institutions. It provides ethnographic descriptions, sometimes utilizing linguistic data, archaeological findings, or historical records contemporary to its writing. The author aimed to document and classify these diverse cultures, presenting a comprehensive overview of the 'Indian' presence in Mexico during the Porfiriato era (the period of Porfirio Díaz's rule). The book reflects the anthropological curiosity and, unfortunately, the potential biases of its time, viewing these communities primarily through the lens of cultural documentation and contrast with European and mestizo norms.