The mother of the Mestizo race, Malanilli, has a complex reputation. Malanilli is referred to as: Dona Marina or La Malinche depending on people’s perception of this Aztec slave, who translated for Hermann Cortez. She is seen by the Mexican race as a traitor and the perpetuator of the Spaniards conquering of their Aztec Empire. The Western hemisphere reveres her as an influential interpreter who assisted Cortez in defeating the Aztecs. Dona Marina’s opposing given titles explain the diverse perceptions of her character and role in Mexican history.
Dona Marina: The Western hemisphere typically portrays Dona Marina as a slave who used her wits to make the best of her situation. Having been born of noble Aztec blood, Dona Marina was sold into slavery after her father was killed and was gifted to Cortez at the age of seventeen. She quickly distinguished herself from the other women gifted to Cortez. In a first-hand account from Bernal Diaz del Castillo, Marina was “the prettiest, the most active and lively of the number.” She was a skilled linguist who spoke Nauhatl, Chontol Mayan and Spanish. Dona Marina assisted Cortez’s meetings with native leaders across modern Mexico. Cortez and Dona Marina bore a child, who would be the first mestizo child. Dona Marina was revered by the Spaniards she was surrounded by. In only two instances is there written record of Cortez, himself, addressing Dona Marina one referral was only as “my interpreter” and the other referral Cortez had penned a letter to Emperor of Europe and the king of Spain stating that “After God we owe this conquest of New Spain to Doña Marina.” Cortez was a proud man who was known to take credit for a lot more than he personally achieved so his recognition of Dona Marina as essential to his victory over the Aztec Empire is representative of her immense contribution to the Cortez’s conquest.
La Malinche: The people of Mexico have a derogatory way of referring to themselves, they call themselves “Los hijos de la Chingada” which translates to the children of the fucked. They see the mestizo race as the tainted mixing of the Aztec Empire and the Spanish conquistadors. When La Malinche became the mistress of Hermann Cortez and gave birth to a son, that child became the first mestizo. This mixing of the racial blood is symbolized as La Malinche’s betrayal of her own race and culture and her submissal to the Spanish which had disastrous effects throughout the Spanish colonization of indigenous people throughout Latin America. Besides being the mother of the mestizo race. La Malinche is also detested for her role as a translator to Cortez. She had the ability to persuade indigenous leaders through her translations between Cortez and the rulers. It is said that she played a role in convincing Montezuma of the prophecy that the Spaniards were Gods and Cortez himself was Quetzacoatl reincarnated. This fateful meeting with Montezuma and La Malinche speaking for Cortez was a pivotal moment in the downfall of the Aztec empire. Because of La Malinche’s cunning, deceitful role as a translator between the Spaniards and the native communities, she is blamed with betraying her people and the fate that followed lays on her shoulders.
Whether people choose to make a hero out of Dona Marina or villainies her as La Malinche, Bernal Diaz del Castillo, who is our prime source of reference, repeatedly ascribed Malanilli’s heroism to her: bravery, wit, charm and cunning.
Morawski, Ed. "The Story of La Malinalli/ La Malinche." Http://malinche.info. January 1, 2011. Accessed November 10, 2014. http://malinche.info/blog/.