Malinche

Malinche, also known as La Malinche or Malintzin, was a Nahua woman who played a key role during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. She acted as a translator, advisor, and intermediary for Hernán Cortés, helping him communicate with indigenous peoples. Her linguistic skills and strategic alliances contributed significantly to the Spanish conquest. Over time, she became a controversial figure—seen by some as a traitor and by others as a survivor and symbol of complex cultural interactions. Her legacy reflects the complicated history of colonization, cross-cultural communication, and identity.