The indigenous groups of Jalisco include the indigenous people of the area, such as the Huichol or the Nahuas, and others who have come from other territories, such as purépechas or the Mixtecs .
According to the latest statistical studies there are about 50 different groups in the State. Likewise, it is estimated that 1% of the population speaks an indigenous language.
The history of Jalisco, one of the states that make up the United Mexican States, has deep indigenist 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 the ethnic groups of Jalisco .
Main indigenous groups of Jalisco
1- Huicholes or wixárikas
The huicholes , name in Spanish for 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 localities 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 writings of the sixteenth century it is inferred that its territory was much larger.
Its form of government currently has the most important political organ in the communal assembly.
In the same way, following the belief system based on myths and their symbols, the Council of Elders is of great importance. Its members know the history and are able to consult the ancestors.
2- Nahuas
Descendants of the Mexica, the Nahuas The southern zone of the State is concentrated in Jalisco. They are very numerous in municipalities such as Cuautitlán de García Barragán, Tuxpan or Zapotitlán de Vadillo.
The Nahuas are still talking Nahuatl , the most used language in Mexico after Spanish. According to the census data made in 2010, there are around 11,500 Nahuas in the territory. They are governed through a series of elected offices by the community assembly.
The main productive activity is agriculture, especially the crops of corn, beans and sorghum.
Likewise, they stand out in the field of fruit trees, obtaining good crops of lemon, mango or banana. Finally, they have turned the sale of handicrafts into one of the mainstays of their economy.
3- Purépechas
Although originally from the state of Michoacán, the Purépechas or Tarascos have established an important community in Jalisco. Their number, according to the statistical data, can approach the 3900.
The emigration of this town is exacerbated in the 40s of the last century and the majority is established in its capital, Guadalajara and Zapopan.
His language, the Michoacán, is still spoken in Jalisco, although studies indicate that new generations tend to lose it.
4- Mixtecos
The Mixtecs who now live in Jalisco are emigrants from states such as Oaxaca or Puebla.
Their number is reduced, since they surpass by very little the 2000 inhabitants. They have generally been installed in the capital, Guadalajara.
5- Otomies
The Otomies residing in the State come from other areas of the country, reaching an approximate number of 1200.
The Otomies were one of the people who inhabited the area of southern Jalisco, where today is the municipality of Tamazula de Gordiano, 6000 years ago.
It was a town of hunters, who disappeared almost completely when mixing with the Nahuas.
References
- Atlas of the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico. Jalisco Retrieved from cdi.gob.mx
- Jalisco, State Government. Indigenous peoples. Retrieved 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