THE 10 MOST OUTSTANDING ETHNIC GROUPS OF GUANAJUATO - HISTORY

The ethnic groups of Guanajuato are part of the history of the region. Currently there are at least 10 established ethnic groups, with their languages, different beliefs, traditions and customs.

In many cases, it is difficult to define a single site in which they are located, because they are usually dispersed. However, they almost always travel between two locations, and most are parked in a specific location.

The ethnic groups that will be mentioned are established since colonial times. They continue to exist, and although it is believed that they have changed over time, they continue to maintain many of the classic traditions and customs of their ancestors.

The 10 main ethnic groups in Guanajuato

As previously mentioned, not all the ethnic groups that will be discussed here are found entirely in Guanajuato.

If they are mentioned, it means that at least a part of them are in Guanajuato territory.

1- Chichimeca-Jonaz

Topping the list is this ethnic group, with approximately 1,433 people in Guanajuato. This represents more than 14% of the indigenous languages spoken in the region.

The Jonaces ethnic group resides between Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí. According to a census carried out in 2000, there are 2,641 people in total.

The jonaces have always been west of Guanajuato, and they have been moving east with the passage of time.

Finding themselves at a disadvantage when the Spanish arrived, they sought refuge in the Sierra Gorda, located in the northeast of the region.

2- Nahuatl

There are approximately 770 people of this ethnic group in Guanajuato. This would imply more than 7% of the indigenous languages spoken in the entire region.

The name means "clear sound" or "order." This culture is known worldwide thanks to the Aztecs, who in the 15th and 16th centuries constituted the dominant civilization in Mesoamerica.

In addition to Guanajuato, this culture is established in several Mexican municipalities, such as Xichú, Villagrán, Santiago Maravatío and San Miguel de Allende.

3- Otomí

With more than 740 people in Guanajuato, they represent 7.16% of languages in the entire region.

This could be said to be the oldest culture in the region. The name means "who walks with arrows" or "bird arrow" in Nahuatl. In 5000 BC the Otomi were already established in Mesoamerican territory.

During the time of Spanish colonization, they allied with the Spanish, acquiring their political order, among other things. Until now it is known that they excelled in the art of weaving.

4- Mazahua

With at least 650 people, this culture constitutes more than 6% of the indigenous languages of Guanajuato. A curious fact: the Mazahua have a social network of businesses from the state of Mexico to the United States.

Despite its proximity to Mexico, there are still people who are unaware of this culture. They are good at making woven clothing, especially for women, with distinctive elements of the Mazahua.

They were always established in the northeast of Mexico; however, they are currently located throughout the country.

Its strongest presence is in the municipalities of San Felipe del Progreso and San José del Rincón, in the state of Mexico.

5- Purepecha

In Guanajuato there are more than 300 people with this culture and language. This figure would represent 3.36% of the indigenous languages in the region.

According to the records, this culture was born in 1200 AD in Mesoamerica. It is said that its splendor and boom ended in 1600 AD, but today there are still people who preserve and preserve this culture in Mexico.

6- Mixe

With just over 200 people in Guanajuato, it represents 2.04% of the indigenous languages spoken in the region.

In colonial times, around the 16th century, the Spanish Christianized the Mixe. In 1938 a municipality with the name Mixe was established, and it was in charge of judicial aspects in the Zacatepec municipality.

7- Mixtecos

Currently in Guanajuato you can get at least 175 people with this culture. In indigenous languages, it represents a little more than 1%.

The Mixtec culture was located in the southeast of Mexico. Today much of its culture can be found in pre-Hispanic codices that have been treasured for a long time.

In these codices you can get genealogical and historical material about the Mixtecs.

8- Zapotec

168 people were registered by the 2000 census. Some of these groups have taquerías in Celaya, Irapuato and Salamanca, among other municipalities. Some also appear to have established themselves in networking businesses.

This was one of the towns that already existed before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. This implies that it belongs to pre-Columbian cultures. It is considered an advanced Mesoamerican civilization.

9- Maya

With approximately 109 people, the Mayans rank with 1.05% of the indigenous languages spoken in the region.

There are very few who still preserve this culture with intact language and customs. The Mayans were born in territories south of Mexico and in other areas of Central America.

They have a rich 3000-year history and are considered a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican culture.

In which the Mayans stood out the most was in the construction of pyramids within their religious centers. They were also recognized, in general architecture, for building cities.

10- Totonaca

The number of people in Guanajuato with this culture is 76. They do not add up to 1% of the indigenous languages of the region.

This culture was recognized for its large amount of cultivation of the land. In the past, the Totonacs gave the Aztecs a lot of trouble.

They were great allies of the Spanish and, together with other cultures, managed to make the Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire easier.

When the Spaniards arrived, many Totonacs fell due to the diseases that the conquerors brought with them. That reduced their number, and there are approximately 90,000 speakers throughout Mexico.

References

Lists of ethnic groups found in the State of Guanajuato. (2015, July 14). Recovered from Documents Mx: documents.mx. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
Chichimeca-Jonaz. Obtained from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
Náuhatl family. Obtained from Mexico SIL: mexico.sil.org. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
The Otomies. Obtained from History of Mexico: historia-mexico.info. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
Mazahua culture. Obtained from Historia Universal: historiacultural.com. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
Purepecha culture. Obtained from Google Sites - Mesoamerican Civilizations: sites.google.com. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
Ethnography of the Mixe people of Oaxaca. Obtained from Gob Mx: gob.mx. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
Mixtec culture. Excerpted from the History of Mexico: lahistoriamexicana.mx. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
10 Characteristics of the Zapotec Culture. Obtained from Features: caracteristicas.co. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
The Mayan culture. Obtained from Cultura Maya: culturamaya.unblog.fr. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
Totonaca culture. Obtained from Historia Universal: historiacultural.com. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

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