In the Mexica empire, prostitution was tolerated and fulfilled a specific function. The women who made a living from this were known as ahuianime, “those who are happy”.
The sacred ahuianime were highly respected in Mexica society, as they participated in festivals and rituals of a religious nature. They served as “joyful” companions of great warriors and also of victims destined for sacrifice.
They were easily identified: they painted their bodies yellow and their teeth red, perfumed their bodies with aromatic herbs and chewed tzictli, the predecessor of gum that cleaned teeth and prevented bad breath.