HISTORY OF COAHUILA: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - HISTORY - 2025

The history of Coahuila begins with the occupation of various tribes, whose main activities were hunting and gathering. The inhabitants of this area were disparagingly known as Chichimecas.

Due to the nomadic nature of the human groups that habitually lived in Coahuila, there is very little archaeological evidence that allows us to know in depth their culture, social organization and history in general.

Perhaps the only lasting memory of their passage through the state are the cave paintings found in various underground caves in the region.

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

History of the state of Coahuila

The term Chichimecas comes from Nahuatl and means "primitive".

It is well known that many other civilizations of Mesoamerica considered more advanced, referred to the inhabitants of Coahuila in this way because they considered them barbaric, savage and technologically backward.

Highly developed cultures such as the Mayans and the Aztecs, saw the Chichimecas as primitive tribes lacking simple abilities.

These depended almost exclusively on hunting and gathering for food, while Mayans and Aztecs also resorted to fishing and agriculture.

It is believed that due to the arid and desolate environment, no tribe decided to settle permanently in the area.

The difficult climatic and geographical conditions did not help the preservation of archaeological artifacts, which are extremely rare in Coahuila.

Archaeological evidence

Archeology in Coahuila is rare to see. In fact, to know the original culture of this region it is more feasible to go to oral sources or folklore than with solid and tangible evidence.

Many key data such as their customs, their dialect, their political organization or their religion, are incomplete or are directly non-existent in the case of the Chichimecas.

A characteristic element of many Mexican towns was the construction of numerous buildings and other architectural works, something that is not present in Coahuila, precisely because they are slightly out of date at a cultural level and not settle in the area permanently.

Arrival of the Spanish Empire

Between the years 1500 and 1600, the arrival and rise of the Spanish Empire took place over Mexican territory with the establishment of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.

However, Coahuila was one of the areas that took the longest to be dominated by Spain, mainly due to strong opposition from local groups and difficult access due to its desert conditions.

After the independence of Mexico in 1821, Coahuila housed in its entirety what is now Texas, so at that time it had great importance.

However, with the official founding of the state of Coahuila in 1824 and the subsequent war by Texas to achieve independence several years later, they became totally separate entities.

Saltillo Foundation

Although there are certain discrepancies in this regard, 1577 is taken as the official date of the founding of Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila.

Later, after the founding of the state, Saltillo was recognized as the official capital.

It is currently the cradle of several headquarters of world-renowned transnational companies such as Chrysler or General Motors.

References

1. Coahuiltecan Indians (August 11, 2013). Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from Access Genealogy.
2. History of the State of Coahuila (sf). Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from Para Todo México.
3. Chichimec (November 21, 2011). Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from Encyclopædia Britannica.
4. Coahuila (sf). Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from Inafed.
5. History of Coahuila (nd). Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from Exploring México.
6. Saltillo (sf). Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from Lonely Planet.
7. History of Mexican Independence (nd). Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from Mexonline.