Tania Zaldivar

Knowledge was part of their day to day, so the artisans were recognized with different denominations, some of them
used in these names the word imati which means “to handle” the ability to manipulate something with the hands when it has been learned through sight, the empirical knowledge generated by observation. But at the same time, mati refers to an internal, abstract knowledge, given by the ability to think, to adapt to that thought and to act accordingly.

The artisans assigned with this word were mainly those who exercised an art related to precious stones, plants, gold, clay, the stars and roads.

Ixtli, the eye, was a way of knowing the world, thus teiximati, tlaiximati “know people, know things”

More than an art, Imati tells us about the character of the artisan: it is about someone wise, cautious, restrained, skilful, industrious, sane, alert, prudent, cunning. From Imati derive words such as: nitlàmati.

Do something with ingenuity and good disposition “Behave with sanity”
Another word… Nematiliztli: sanity, virtue, habit, brains or sense, honesty, ability, cunning, caution, dexterity, sense with which we feel, prudence, industry, habit, wisdom… from which derive itech nematiliztli familiarity and yuh nematiliztli custom of life, feel good and become fond of something or someone.

Also nezcalicayotl prudence and sanity, or nezcaliliztli discretion, training, use and resurrection.

Tell me a word in Nahuatl.