The Painani - "El que corre con rapidez" or "The one who runs fast"

The history of mail delivery in Mexico dates back to times before the conquest. The Aztecs had messengers who reported directly to the Emperor and enjoyed the same immunity as ambassadors, which were respected even by enemy tribes.

The Mexica couriers were called Painanis, which in Nahuatl means "The One who runs fast" or "The messenger who is going fast" as they were also known.

Moctezuma used the Painani services for personal pleasures and ate fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico every day. When the Spaniards arrived in Mexico, they found that the Aztecs had a sophisticated postal system in which the Painanis were the key role. The Spaniards couldn’t understand how the Painanis reached long distances in short time.

Those who were trained to be messengers were given special training which consist of walking, jumping, and especially running. The Painanis had to know the roads, paths, and shortcuts to which was essential for the performance of their mission. The Painanis ran day and night, climming mountains passing through different climates and latitudes. Learning was tough, continuous, yet planned to form true athletes.

To be a Painani was very honorable, to the extent that it was allowed only for young noblemen with well trained judgment, wide culture, and outstanding physical capacity.