The ethnic groups of Michoacán represent 3% of the total population of the region. There are 136,608 people belonging to indigenous peoples throughout the state. The main ethnic groups that reside in Michoacán, according to the Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), are 4: Purépechas, Nahuas, Mazahuas and Mixtecos.
To carry out the study, they took as a reference people 5 years of age and older who could speak the corresponding indigenous language. The data provided was from 2010, and reveals that only the Purépecha have more than 100,000 inhabitants. Together, the other ethnic groups barely reach 17,000 people.
Unlike other municipalities, Michoacán has a not very high level of indigenous population. What is questionable is the fact that most of those people are from a single culture.
The 4 main ethnic groups of Michoacán
1- Purepecha
The Purépecha culture has a total indigenous population of 117,221 in Michoacan territory. This makes them the ones with the largest population in the region.
The reasons why there are so many people are obvious: this culture was born in Michoacán. While it is true that there is the possibility that a few will move, being the homeland, there are more that remain. This pre-Columbian culture belonged to Mesoamerica.
It is considered one of the strongest ethnic groups, since they resisted many invasive attempts by the Aztecs. Their language is not similar to any other in the Mexican territory, so it is speculated that they may have been born in South America.
Upon the arrival of the Spanish, the Purépecha gave up their empire. They adopted the Catholic religion, as well as their language. However, the ancient language of that culture still prevails.
Its crafts are the strength of its economy. They do all kinds of things to be able to sell them and improve their quality of life in some way.
Shields, fans, capes and even hats are some of the things they sell today.
2- Nahuatl
There are 9,170 people of this ethnic group in the state of Michoacán. This would be the ethnic group that would be in second place, for its few inhabitants in this region.
The Nahua culture originated in central Mexico. It is included within the largest cultures of Mesoamerica and is pre-Columbian.
They were very good at architecture and crafts. In metallurgy they did not take the lead, so conflicts were generated with the Mixtecs.
Upon the arrival of the Spanish, they were called Mexica and Aztecs. The term originated from the Spanish, who called them that because the Nahua Indians resided in a place called Aztlan.
Currently they survive and sustain themselves with their crafts and fabrics. This is what provides quality of life to members of this ethnic group.
3- Mazahua
The Mazahua inhabitants of Michoacán are barely 5,431. That is little, taking into account the above figures.
The Mazahuas emerged in the 16th century, from the fusion of two cultures: the Toltec and the Chichimeca. It is difficult to guess its origins, since it has represented a mystery for researchers. Due to the lack of material, his past is blurred.
This culture in particular has deep-rooted customs of veneration for the dead. It is expected that the Day of the Dead is of great importance in this ethnic group.
The beliefs are that there is good and evil, and these are housed in the pantheons. When the Day of the Dead arrives, evil comes out and people protect themselves with sculptures.
What stands out in its economy are its handicrafts and fabric productions. This is proven from ancient times. Agriculture also forms and was part of their livelihood.
4- Mixtec
The list ends with Mixtec culture, which represents a minority in population with only 1,160 people.
The Mixtecs were a very strong culture of Mesoamerica. They stood firm against cultures such as the Nahuas, the Zapotecs and even the Amuzgo.
They had ball games, as a sport, since ancient times. In the economic sphere, they were supported by the manufacture of tools from obsidian, and also by means of handicrafts, and ceramic objects, among other activities.
They had great technology. They were good at making codices, so there is a history and genealogy about this culture.
References
- Diversity - Michoacán. (2010). Obtained from INEGI: Cuentame.inegi.org.mx. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- Purepecha Empire. Recovered from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- Nahuas. Extracted from Arqueología Mexicana: arqueologiamexicana.mx. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- The Mazahuas. Obtained from History of Mexico: historia-mexico.info. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- Mixtec culture. Recovered from Mexican History: lahistoriamexicana.mx. Retrieved September 29, 2017.