Envision a stone. Water surrounds it. This is Iztapalapa. Let me tell you about the Estrella 8 picos Mural. It is a hidden gem in Mexico City.
This mural is about identity. It reflects resistance. It shares hope. The Estrella 8 picos Mural echoes the voices of the Mexican people. It stands for a better future.
Iztapalapa is one of sixteen areas in Mexico City. It sits on the southern part of Lake Texcoco. In 2020 about 1.8 million people lived here. That makes it the second most populous area in Mexico after Tijuana.
Iztapalapa means “on the stone in the water.” It was founded by the Culhua people near Cerro de la Estrella. Evidence shows people lived here about 9400 years ago. Iztapalapa saw many farming communities grow over time.
Around the years 300 to 700 a Teotihuacan culture settled north of Cerro de la Estrella. Culhuacán was founded in the 7th century. It got some of the people who left Teotihuacan when it fell. Culhuacán became a big power in the Valley of Mexico. It helped develop Toltec culture. Its leaders gave Mexico-Tenochtitlan its first ruler.
When the Spanish arrived Cuitláhuac ruled Iztapalapa. He was Montezuma Xocoyotzin’s brother. After Montezuma died Cuitláhuac led the Mexica people. He beat the Spanish back during the Noche Triste. After Mexico-Tenochtitlan fell Iztapalapa was destroyed. After Mexico became free Iztapalapa was part of the State of Mexico until 1824. That year Mexico City became the Federal District.
Iztapalapa is not as rich as other parts of Mexico City. Though many people live here its economy is smaller. Most people work in the service industry. Many must leave Iztapalapa to find work. Water is a big problem. It is one of the biggest challenges for the local government.
Like other areas around Mexico City Iztapalapa got many people from other places. This grew in the 1960s when the country was doing well. It grew again after the 1985 earthquake. These new people settled on farming land including the chinampas of the original towns. These new neighborhoods started many civil organizations. This was especially true in the Sierra de Santa Catarina.
Iztapalapa is a Nahuatl name. It comes from “iztapal-li” meaning paved stone “ā-tl” meaning water and “pa(n)” meaning on. So it means “Paved area on the water.”
The symbol of Iztapalapa is a stone in water. Some show the stone as the Nahua glyph for “tepetl”. Water flows from it. In the 1980s the government used the image of Cuitláhuac. He fought the Spanish in 1520. In 1988 the stone symbol came back.
Now you know something about the history of Iztapalapa. You know the area’s socio-economic background. You also know about it’s name and it’s symbol. When you look at the Estrella 8 picos Mural I hope you remember what you’ve learned.