The indigenous groups of Jalisco include the natives of the area, such as the Huichol or the Nahuas, and others who have arrived from other territories, such as the Purépechas or the Mixtecos.
According to the latest statistical studies, there are around 50 different groups in the State. Likewise, it is estimated that 1% of the population speaks some indigenous language.
The history of Jalisco, one of the states that make up the United Mexican States, has deep indigenous roots.
In fact, the foundation by the Toltecs of the so-called Kingdom of Jalisco in 618 AD. C. is the first known administration in that area.
You may also be interested in the ethnic groups of Jalisco.
Main indigenous groups of Jalisco
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The Huicholes, the Spanish name for the Wixárikas, are one of the original peoples of the State of Jalisco.
Today there are approximately 14,300 throughout the State, concentrated mainly in the towns of Bolaños and Mezquitic. There is also a Wixárika population in Nayarit.
Very little is known about its history prior to the Spanish conquest. According to some 16th century writings it is inferred that its territory was much larger.
Its form of government currently has the most important political body in the communal assembly.
In the same way, following its belief system based on myths and its symbols, the Council of Elders has great importance. Its members know the history and are able to consult the ancestors.
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Descendants of the Mexica, the Nahuas of Jalisco are concentrated in the southern part of the State. They are very numerous in municipalities such as Cuautitlán de García Barragán, Tuxpan or Zapotitlán de Vadillo.
The Nahuas continue to speak Nahuatl, the most widely used language in Mexico after Spanish. According to the census data carried out in 2010, there are about 11,500 Nahuas in the territory. They are governed through a series of positions elected by the communal assembly.
The main productive activity is agriculture, especially corn, beans and sorghum.
Likewise, they stand out in the field of fruit trees, obtaining good harvests of lemon, mango or banana. Finally, they have made the sale of handicrafts one of the mainstays of their economy.
3- Purepechas
Although originally from the state of Michoacán, the Purépechas or Tarascos have established an important community in Jalisco. Their number, according to statistical data, can be close to 3,900.
The emigration of this town sharpened in the 40s of the last century and the majority settled in its capital, Guadalajara and Zapopan.
Their language, Michoacan, is still spoken in Jalisco, although studies indicate that new generations tend to lose it.
4- Mixtecs
The Mixtecos who live in Jalisco today are emigrants from states such as Oaxaca or Puebla.
Their number is small, since they very little exceed 2000 inhabitants. They have generally settled in the capital, Guadalajara.
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The Otomi who reside in the State come from other areas of the country, reaching an approximate number of 1200.
The Otomí people were one of the peoples that inhabited the southern area of Jalisco, where the municipality of Tamazula de Gordiano is located today, 6000 years ago.
It was a hunting town, which almost totally disappeared when it mixed with the Nahuas.
References
- Atlas of the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico. Jalisco. Obtained from cdi.gob.mx
- Jalisco, State Government. Indigenous villages. Obtained from cei.jalisco.gob.mx
- Schmal, John. Sixteenth Century Indigenous Jalisco. Retrieved from houstonculture.org
- Family Search. Jalisco Language and Languages. Retrieved from familysearch.org
- Portland State University. Mexico: Indigenous Languages and Culture by Region. Retrieved from pdx.edu