WHAT IS THE MEANING OF CHIAPAS? - GEOGRAPHY - 2024

The meaning of Chiapas is not yet known with certainty, but there are various versions that seek to confirm it. It is only known with certainty that it comes from the Nahuatl language and is a compound word.

According to the versions, it is said that Chiapas is the plural of the word Chiapa, Chiapan or Tepechiapan. In its translation is where the differences of meaning are found.

Version 1 says it means: "Where chía abounds" or "in the Chía River". Version 2 is: “cerro de la chía” or “water under the hill”.

The plural Chiapas was born from the Spaniards, who, upon arriving in the region at the time of the conquest (approximately around the year 1528), founded the cities Chiapa de los Indios (currently Chiapa de Corso) and Chiapa de los Spaniards (currently San Cristóbal of the houses).

Later to group both cities they were named as "Province of the Chiapas".

You may also be interested in the traditions and customs of Chiapas.

Meanings of Chiapas according to the Nahuatl language

"Where chia abounds" or "in the Rio de la Chía"

This composition is drawn from "chi", below; "Atl", water; "Bread" river or place. The story goes that the Aztecs named an indigenous city that was located on the banks of the Grijalba River.

Some historians like Jan de Vos, think that it is possible that chia could be cultivated on the banks of the river.

"Cerro de la Chía" or "Water Below the Hill"

This composition is extracted from "tepetl", hill; "Chi", down; "Atl", water; "Bread" river or place.

It is said that the Soctones Indians preferred to throw themselves with their families from the sinkhole canyon, before being subdued by the Spanish and their allies. This place was called Tepechiapan.

Chiapas history

The confrontation that the Soctones had with the colonizers led them almost to the extinction of this ethnic group.

Then, when the miscegenation occurred in the region, the history, origins and culture were lost. This is one of the reasons why precise information about the meaning of the name cannot be found.

This province was part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala for more than two centuries, bearing another name.

Important conflicts arose in the region to free itself from Spanish rule. In 1786, the Municipality of Ciudad Real de Chiapas was created.

In 1824, after so many uncertainties, the Supreme Board decided to call a plebiscite, in order to define if Ciudad Real de Chiapas would become an independent nation or if Mexico was federated. The decision taken was to join the Mexican federation.

The Soconusco region after the plebiscite was confusingly undefined. In 1842, Mexico decided to annex it to them and Guatemala started a dispute, which was resolved through the Herrera - Mariscal treaty in 1882, where the border between the two countries was defined.

Chiapas currently makes up the 32 states of the Mexican Republic. It has an area of ​​73,311 km².

Internally, Chiapas is divided into 118 municipalities, its capital being Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

References

1. Bodegas, JA (2012). Chiapas: the other Bicentennial: Believe to grow. Mexico: Grijalbo.
2. Cadena, LB (1998). Chiapas: the real Indians. Mexico: EDAMEX.
3. ECOSUR. (2007). Livestock, development and environment: a vision for Chiapas. Mexico: ECOSUR.
4. Harvey, N. (2000). The Chiapas rebellion: the fight for land and democracy. Mexico: Ediciones Era.
5. Weinberg, B. (2002). Homage to Chiapas: The New Indigenous Struggles in Mexico. New York: Verse.