Child of the Flower-Song People

Debut author Gloria Amescua's lyrical biography of an indigenous Nahua woman from Mexico who taught and preserved her people's culture through modeling for famous artists. She was Luz Jiménez, child of the flower-song people, the powerful Aztec, who called themselves Nahua— who lost their land but who did not disappear. As a young Nahua girl in Mexico during the early 1900s, Luz learned to grind corn in a metate, twist yarn with her toes, and weave on a loom. By the fire, she listened to stories of her community’s joys, suffering, and survival, and wove them into her heart. When the Mexican Revolution came to her village, Luz and her family were forced to flee. In Mexico City, Luz became a model for painters, sculptors, and photographers such as Diego Rivera, Jean Charlot, and Tina Modotti. These artists were interested in showing the true face of Mexico and not a European version. Luz's work helped preserve her people's culture through native language, stories, and traditions. Soon, scholars came to learn from her. This moving biography tells how Luz Jiménez became “the soul of Mexico” and includes a note from the author.