Song of the Hummingbird

Song of the Hummingbird (1996) by Graciela Limón is a historical novel that delves into the conquest of Mexico from the perspective of a Mexica woman named Huitzitzilin. The narrative unfolds as the protagonist recounts her experiences to Father Benito, a Spanish priest, in the aftermath of the Spanish conquest. Through her stories, she challenges the colonizers’ accounts of the conquest, providing a poignant and critical view of the atrocities committed against her people. Limón crafts a narrative that not only questions historical narratives written by the conquerors but also explores themes of cultural identity, loss, resilience, and the recentering of Indigenous voices.

This study guide refers to the 1996 paperback edition of the book published by Arte Público Press.

Content Warning: The source material features depictions of sexual assault, domestic violence, suicidal ideation, self-harm, violence in battle, murder, and executions.

Plot Summary

In 1583, a young Spanish priest named Father Benito arrives at a convent in Mexico to serve as a confessor. There, he meets Huitzitzilin, an elderly Mexica woman, who recounts her life before the Spanish conquest. Her descriptions of cultural and religious Mexica rituals both fascinate and disturb Benito, who adheres to a strict Catholic code of morality. Benito begins documenting Huitzitzilin’s story, hoping he can add to Spanish accounts of the conquest. His superior, Father Anselmo, warns him against becoming emotionally attached to Huitzitzilin.

Huitzitzilin describes a forbidden love affair with her cousin Zintle, which resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. Huitzitzilin terminated the pregnancy to avoid punishment from her betrothed, Tetla, who was a powerful nobleman. Huitzitzilin married Tetla, who was far older than her and whom she found repulsive. Their union was a stark contrast to her passionate love with Zintle. On their wedding night, Tetla sexually assaulted her. Despite the trauma, Huitzitzilin showed remarkable resilience and reconnected with Zintle after her recovery. This resulted in another pregnancy, which she carried to term; she had a son she loved deeply. Benito feels offended by her casual tone as she tells him this since he views her actions as sinful.

Huitzitzilin then describes the Mexica king’s fear upon the arrival of the Spanish; this exacerbated internal conflicts within Mexica society. Initially hopeful for peace despite Spanish mistreatment, the Mexica people became increasingly tense as the Spanish desecrated their temples and artifacts. Huitzitzilin became involved with a Spanish captain, Baltazar Ovando. Following the murder of another Spanish captain, the Mexica king was imprisoned, and Huitzitzilin witnessed the Mexica perpetrators’ execution; among those killed was her husband, Tetla. Reflecting on her account, Benito experiences a surprising surge of empathy for her losses—this is a development that troubles him.

The Mexica people launched a counterattack against the Spanish, but it failed and resulted in a brutal battle. Benito is disturbed by Huitzitzilin’s graphic descriptions of Spanish-perpetrated violence and seeks guidance from Father Anselmo, who casts doubt on the veracity of her claims. With newfound distrust, Benito demands honesty from Huitzitzilin. Their arguments escalate as she describes a brutal massacre and challenges his justifications for Spanish actions. She tells Benito that she witnessed Baltazar killing the Mexica king and argues that the Spanish manipulated the truth in their historical accounts. As Benito considers her point of view, he begins to question his own beliefs.

The Mexica people succeeded in expelling the Spanish from their city, but soon after, a brutal smallpox epidemic swept through their community. This disease was brought to their shores by the colonizers, and it even claimed the life of Huitzitzilin’s son. Devastated by this loss and the overall impact of the battle on her people, Huitzitzilin descended into despair and hurt herself, which resulted in the loss of one of her eyes. Despite the effort to drive out the Spanish, the Mexica were ultimately defeated. They unsuccessfully attempted to safeguard the new king’s family, but both Huitzitzilin and the royal family were captured.

After the conquest, Huitzitzilin joined other Mexica people in the rebuilding effort. She then became pregnant after reigniting her affair with Baltazar. She witnessed the execution of the last Mexica king alongside Baltazar. Soon after, she gave birth to twins, and Baltazar eventually sent the children to Spain, ignoring her pleas. Consumed by despair, she sought revenge on Baltazar and imprisoned him in an abandoned palace, leaving him there to die. Benito is conflicted upon hearing this. He reminds Huitzitzilin of the legal repercussions for her actions and is unable to grant forgiveness. After Father Anselmo urges him to focus on recording Huitzitzilin’s story, Benito grapples with the concept of repentance without remorse. Ultimately, he decides to absolve her and record her story in its entirety.

His forgiveness allows Huitzitzilin and Benito to reconcile, and she recounts witnessing Cortés’s public humiliation while in Spain. As she details a bittersweet encounter with her daughter in Spain, who is no longer aware of her origins, Benito reflects on the severed connections between Mexica people and their children as a result of colonization.

Soon after, Benito learns of Huitzitzilin’s death and revisits their meeting place. He acknowledges her spirit and realizes he provided understanding, not absolution, by recording her story. He carries the weight of her absence but finds comfort in knowing her story will live on.