Song of the hummingbird

SONG OF THE HUMMINGBIRD
By
Graciela Limon


The “Song of the Hummingbird” by Graciela Limon tells the story of the Spanish

invasion of South America and the destruction of the Mexica people as seen through the

eyes of Huitzitzilin, or Hummingbird as her name translates into English. Huitzitzilin is a woman who lived through that period and witnessed the destruction of her civilization, her religion, and the loss of all she held dear. Despite all this she manages to retain a strong personal identity and great strength of spirit. She lived her life on her own terms before the Spanish invasion, during the invasion and after it, even as an old woman “confessing” to the Spanish priest she knows her own mind and will not be talked out of it. She exhibits strength and a self-confidence that modern day feminists aim for.
From the very beginning of the book when she first meets the Spanish Priest to whom she will tell her story she insists on telling it her way. She ...