It is likely that Tenochtitlan inherited them from the defeated Tepanec empire of Azcapotzalco. The inhabitants of Huitzilopochco are said to have been cannibals prior to the imposition of Aztec government.
Tenochtitlan's acquisition of these customs is probably linked to its inheritance from the defeated Tepanec empire of Azcapotzalco. The people of Huitzilopochco were reportedly cannibalistic prior to the establishment of Aztec rule.