A traitor, survivor, and icon: La Malinche

A traitor, survivor, and icon: La Malinche exhibit at SAMA

Was La Malinche a traitor or a victim? | Photo by SATXtoday team

A new, special exhibit has made its way to the San Antonio Museum of Art telling the story of an enslaved Indigenous girl turned historic icon.

The origin of an enslaved woman

The legacy of La Malinche begins around the time of the Spanish–Aztec War (1519–1521).

Malinche was enslaved at the age of eight or nine years old. During her early years, she traveled across the Yucatan Peninsula, learning both Yucatec and Nahuatl — the languages of the Mayan and Aztec people.

Hernán Cortés, the Spanish-born conquistador, arrived at the city of Pontonchan with intention of conquering the Aztec Empire. As a peace offering, city leaders gifted Cortés twenty enslaved women — among them was Malinche. She would eventually bare Cortés a son, Martin, in 1522.

The origin of a name

Born as Malinalli, after the goddess of grass, the Indigenous slave wouldn’t don her infamous name until after the war.

Malinalli proved useful serving as Cortés’ personal translator, which helped usher in a new era of Spanish domination. It was at this time that the Aztec community began calling her Malitzen, obtaining an unprecedented amount of influence that shaped the trajectory of the war.

This position of power was achieved at the cost of countless lives, though. Her nickname, La Malinche, was then regarded with animosity and a feeling of betrayal.

See it for yourself

La Malinche left no records of her own life. Her story can only be retold through secondhand accounts and historical interpretation.

However, you can see these accounts for yourself for a limited time at the San Antonio Museum of Art now through January 8, 2023. Tickets for the special exhibit can be purchased online or in-person.

You can also plan to attend an upcoming lecture on Alfredo Ramos Martínez’s contributions to the visual history of La Malinche at the museum on Tuesday, Nov. 15 or by tuning in virtually.

Was “La Malinche” a traitor or were her actions justified due to her circumstance?

A. She was a traitor.
B. She was only doing what she needed to survive.
C. It’s more complex than that.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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Monday, Nov. 7

Free Family Night | Monday, Nov. 7, Monday, Dec. 5 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway St., San Antonio | Free | Head to the museum for an evening of family-friendly fun.
JazzReach: Con Alma Y Fuego | Monday, Nov. 7 | 12 p.m. | Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Cir., San Antonio | $5-$9 | This concert traverses the origins and evolution of the Latin + Afro-Caribbean jazz traditions, highlighting the contributions and music of groundbreaking artists such as Mario Bauza and Dizzy Gillespie.

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Community Drum Circle | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 7-8 p.m. | San Pedro Creek Culture Park, 715 Camaron St., San Antonio | Free | Head to the creek to learn the art of the djembe drum through healing rhythms in a guided class.

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | The Josephine Theatre, 339 W. Josephine St., San Antonio | $35-$55 | Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to intimate settings.
Spain Fusion Free Immersive Food and Wine Experience | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Hotel Valencia Riverwalk, 150 E. Houston St., San Antonio | Free | Head on over for a day of panels, tastings, and meetings with Spain’s top exporters of wine, olive oil, cheese, Iberian ham, and more.

Thursday, Nov. 10

Conversation: Blurring Borders | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 6:30 p.m. | McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio | Free | Artist Margarita Cabrera examines themes of sacrifice, migration, community connection, and storytelling in her artwork.

Friday, Nov. 11

Doc Watkins and Friends Salute to Troops | Friday, Nov. 11 | 7 p.m. | Tech Port Arena, 3331 General Hudnell Dr., San Antonio | $175-$325 | This celebration of America’s military will feature a memorable mix of comedic and musical talent in a Hollywood-style variety show benefiting the USO San Antonio.

Saturday, Nov. 11

SAMA’s Super Fall Warehouse Sale | Friday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Nov. 12 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave., San Antonio | Free | Furniture, art supplies, museum shop items — all of it must go at SAMA’s storage cleanout sale.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

87º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain

Correction

On Friday, we were so excited to get you to the polls that we mistakenly wrote that election sites closed at 6 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. No worries — you still have one more chance to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. 🗳️

Development

A 1,000-unit, mixed-use apartment complex will be built on West Josephine Street in Tobin Hill. Harris Bay will lead the project that will consist of four buildings featuring a total of 70,000 sqft of retail space. 🏢 (San Antonio Heron)
The San Antonio Country Club will undergo $13 million in renovations with upgrades primarily surrounding the main entry. According to a public filing, the project will also include the expansion of the existing kitchen. ⚒️
Plans submitted to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation show a $5 million renovation slated for Navistar Advanced Technology Center. Construction will break ground early next year. 🏭

Community

H-E-B and USAA will decline their rebate credits and donate the money to CPS Energy’s Residential Energy Assistance Partnership program. Customers that would like to do the same can opt out by Sunday, Jan. 15. 💡 (San Antonio Report)

Biz

Industrial vacancy rates in the San Antonio area are currently at record lows, ranging from 4% and 5%. As of Sept. 30, about 8.7 million sqft of warehouse and distribution location spaces were occupied. 🚚 (San Antonio Business Journal)

Travel

Picture this: It’s a regular Monday at the office. You’re skimming your inbox for the fifteenth time when suddenly, an email arrives: ⛵Malta — $400-$500s. With a flash of your credit card, you’ve booked sunny skies + crystal blue waters for this year’s summer vacation. Good thing you got those Scott’s Cheap Flights notifications.*

Shop

Thinking about what you’re going to wear to all those holiday parties and already feeling stressed? We’ve been there. Rent the Runway is our No. 1 hack to make getting dressed something we actually look forward to instead of dreading. Bonus: Use code 6AMXRTR for 40% off two months of a membership or one-time rental. 👗 *

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See the Beaver Blood Moon tonight 🦫

A total lunar eclipse will be visible across the nation

Don’t miss the Beaver Blood Moon lunar eclipse happening across the US. | Photo by Zoltan Tasi

The last total lunar eclipse for the next three years will be visible tonight across the US, turning the moon blood red.

On the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 8, the moon will pass through the shadow of Earth.

According to NASA, the partial eclipse (when the moon starts getting red) will begin at 3 a.m. and reach its peak at around 5 a.m.

As for its name, any full moon within the month of November is called a Beaver Moon, coinciding with the time of year beavers take shelter. This year, the eclipse is referred to as the Beaver Blood Moon.

This will also be the second and final lunar eclipse of this year. The previous eclipse of the moon happened on May 16.

You can follow the position of the moon with this eclipse map. If you’re an astrophotography aficionado, we’d love to see your pictures. Tag us on Instagram to potentially be featured in a future newsletter.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Iván.

Editor’s pick: I had the pleasure of touring the new exhibition at SAMA. While you’re there, I recommend also checking out the 2,000-year-old Roman bust thrifted by a Texas art collector.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Cross cooking on Thanksgiving off your holiday to-do list with these local businesses.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Ivan Briones, Amy Lynn Johnson, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Ashlea Hearn, Victoria Bardega | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Carolyn Hudson | Advertise with us.

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