THE 4 MOST OUTSTANDING ETHNIC GROUPS OF NAYARIT - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The ethnic groups of Nayarit are Huichol, Cora, Tepehuano and Nahuatl. Nayarit is a state of Mexico that was part of the Mexican state of Jalisco until 1917, the year it became a state in its own right.

5% of that entity speaks an indigenous language, according to data provided by the Population and Housing Census carried out in 2010.

Huichol mask

In this sense, few communities have been able to stand up and resist the influence of Western culture.

In addition to the aforementioned ethnic groups, at the end of the 20th century there were still remains of some pre-Hispanic cultures that inhabited the area, such as the totorames.

The four main ethnic groups of Nayarit

1- The cora

The Cora, like the other ethnic groups in Nayarit, live in remote mountainous areas. They live almost exclusively in this entity, on lands with elevations ranging between 460 and 2,500 meters above sea level.

Its territory is made hospitable in the south by the waters of the Santiago river, in the east by those of the Jesús María river, and in the north by those of the San Pedro river.

At present, the base of its economy is agriculture. Its main crop is corn, an activity that takes place in the lowlands.

In addition, black beans, pumpkins, watermelons, cucumbers, melons, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, peanuts, tomatoes and chili peppers are grown, although in smaller proportions.

On the higher ground they plant corn and small amounts of black beans and squash. Its fruit crops include pears, apples, and figs.

2- The Huichols

This ethnic group from Nayarit descends from the Aztecs. Most live in the Sierra de Jalisco and Nayarit. Many others have emigrated to other cities, such as Tepic and Guadalajara.

The Huichols go to great lengths to preserve their indigenous culture. However, they face great challenges, such as encroachment on their land, poverty and disease.

As for its economy, one of its forms of survival is the sale of handicrafts. Huichol art is deeply symbolic.

In his works elements such as corn, deer, candles, arrows, snakes, scorpions and the eyes of the gods that point to the four cardinal directions are present.

3- The Tepehuanes

Although they come from the state of Durango, the Tepehuanes have expanded their territory to other areas, including Nayarit. In this state they manage to be hired in the tobacco and banana plantations.

Additionally, another of its economic activities is the production of handicrafts, including yarn backpacks, nets and soybean hats (a kind of plant with rhizome).

4- The Mexicaneros

This culture inhabits the bordering areas of Durango, Jalisco, Zacatecas and Nayarit. Mexicaneros are farmers. Among its crops are mainly corn, grains and pumpkins.

In the dry season, young men and their families head to the shores of Nayarit to do agricultural work, such as collecting tobacco leaves or cutting sugar cane.

They then return to their communities to prepare the land and enhance their festive ceremonies.

References

1. INEGI. Population and Housing Census 2010. (2011). Retrieved on September 26, 2017, from beta.inegi.org.mx.
2. Díaz, M. and Iturbide, G. (1985). The fishermen of Nayarit and Sinaloa. Mexico: DF: CIESAS.
3. Nayarit. (2013, July 10). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved on September 26, 2017, from britannica.com.
4. Cora. (s / f). In Encyclopedia of World Cultures. Retrieved on September 26, 2017, from encyclopedia.com.
5. Mexico's Huichol resource page: their culture, symbolism, art. (2011, May 14). In Mexconnect. Retrieved on September 26, 2017, from mexconnect.com.
6. Espinosa, RA (2014). Tepehuanos. Institute of Social Research UNAM. Retrieved on September 26, 2017, deru.iis.sociales.unam.mx.
7. Katzenberger, E. (1995). First World, Ha, Ha, Ha !: The Zapatista Challenge. San Francisco: City Lights Books.