HISTORY OF SINALOA: MOST OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS - HISTORY - 2025

The history of Sinaloa begins with six great indigenous groups that had their home in this territory, before the arrival of the Spanish. These tribes included the Cahita, Pacaxee, Totorame, Tahue, Xixime, and Acaxee.

They were mainly farmers. Most of the natives were peaceful and lived in settlements throughout the region of present-day Sinaloa.

However, the cahita were cannibal warriors. Older groups are known to have entered the region, but little is known about them.

The Spanish conqueror Nuno Beltrán de Guzmán arrived from the Pacific Ocean to Sinaloa in 1529.

Although their army was diminished by diseases found on the new continent, they were able to defeat the Cahita warriors. In addition, Guzmán was able to found the city of San Miguel de Culiacán.

By 1601 the influence of the Spanish could be observed throughout Sinaloa. After the Independence of Mexico, Sinaloa was part of the western state along with Sonora. As of 1830 it became a sovereign state of Mexico.

You may also be interested in the traditions of Sinaloa or its economy.

Background

First inhabitants

Some nomadic tribes regularly visited the region of present-day Sinaloa for about 12,000 years BC. C.

However, the first permanent settlements emerged around 250 BC. C., in the area of ​​the Baluarte river.

The oldest settlement is located in the current region of Chametla; its existence is believed to date back to the year 300.

It was a community that already buried its dead in cemeteries and dedicated itself to fishing and agriculture.

A Yuto-Aztec cultural revival took place north of the state around 900 BC. C., in the settlements of Culiacán and Guasave. In fact, the municipality of Guasave is the northern border of Mesoamerica.

Therefore, the communities that settled in these territories represent the point of contact with tribes further north.

The territories of Culiacán were inhabited by natives with a refined culture, since they practiced hunting and pottery, and also wore cotton. These people used the bow, arrow and shields.

Prehispanic period

Between the years 700 and 1200, the culture of the Aztatlán flourished in Nayarit and Guasave. At present, pieces of these cultures have been found, made with onyx and clay.

When this culture declined, the native totorames settled in the region. This sedentary group practiced fishing, commerce and agriculture; they also made objects with pearls, shells and feathers.

At the same time, Culiacán was inhabited by the Tahue culture, who organized themselves into districts and inherited social and economic powers.

Other pre-Hispanic tribes present were the cahitas, guasaves, achures, acaxees and xiximes. These last two were located in the Sierra.

Spanish conquest

Nuno de Guzmán arrived in Sinaloa in 1529. This conqueror founded the town of San Miguel, but its location was transferred to what is now the capital city of Culiacán.

The Spanish brought diseases before which the natives were not immunized, so the totorames and the cahues decreased by 90% between the years 1535 and 1536.

This loss of workforce made it almost impossible to consolidate a Spanish settlement, so in the 16th century the state of Sinaloa was made up of a few poor and isolated communities.

During this period the revolts between the natives and the Spanish were constant. Many Spaniards had to relocate their settlements for this reason.

But in 1591 some Jesuit missionaries won the sympathy of the natives, who up to that point had refused to accept any foreigner.

During the seventeenth century colonial penetration was possible due to the successful conversion efforts to Catholicism made by these Jesuits.

In 1732 the province of Sinaloa was created. However, when it was decreed that the Jesuits should be expelled, the then province fell into chaos.

The missions were abandoned, they stole the communal lands of the natives and made them become feudal workers and miners.

Mexican independency

During the independence days, families of Spanish descent who lived in Sinaloa and its neighboring state Sonora, enjoyed a large number of privileges and were the controllers of the lands.

This new government had no power over the northern states, so the upper class had complete power over economic and social life. In 1824, Sinaloa and Sonora were united in the Internal State of the West.

Land owning elites continued to control state policies for most of the 19th century. In 1830 Sinaloa became an independent state.

The Reform War

During this war and during the presidency of Benito Juárez, the Mexicans faced the invasion of the French Empire.

In 1864 the governor of Sinaloa and an army of 400 soldiers defeated the invading European forces in the battle of San Pedro, a victory that is still celebrated today.

The south of the state was kept under siege by the French and they spread terror for more than two years in many towns of Sinaloa, until 1866.

Porfiriato (1876-1910)

During the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz (period called Porfiriato) Sinaloa underwent a change that shaped the current economy of the state.

The close relationship and dependency between the two main ports of the Pacific (Mazatlán in Mexico and San Franciso in the United States) benefited Sinaloa.

This is because the neighbors to the north were very interested in the smooth running and in the Mexican expansion.

Because of this, the mining industry and transportation routes prospered in this region with considerable investment from the United States.

Mexican Revolution

In Sinaloa different sides fought during this period, which began in 1910; Pancho Villa's supporters controlled large portions of the state.

But by 1917 forces loyal to the newly established government were in control.

Despite the fact that this time was very conflictive, the small population of Sinaloa prevented large confrontations from emerging.

Additionally, the proximity to the United States made it become an illegal producer of the plant with which opium is produced.

Agrarian reform

In 1934 this reform was implemented during the presidency of Lázaro Cárdenas. As a result, the fields of Sinaloa (especially the great plains) enjoyed a positive transformation.

The large state system, known as latifundios, was abolished and replaced by collective cooperatives and small private properties. This caused agricultural businesses to flourish in the state.

Today more than 70% of the soil in Sinaloa is used for agriculture. Additionally, its beautiful coastline and cultural attractions attract thousands of tourists each year.

References

1. Sinaloa. Recovered from gogringo.com
2. Sinaloa. Recovered from nationsecyclopedia.com
3. The history of indigenous sinaloa. Recovered from houstonculture.org
4. Sinaloa. Recovered from britannica.com
5. History of Sinaloa. Recovered from explorandomexico.com