por The ethnic groups of Guanajuato They are mainly the Chichimecas Jonaces and the Otomi, although currently there are more established peoples, with their languages, different beliefs, traditions and customs.
In many cases, it is difficult to define a single site where they are located, because they tend to be dispersed. However, they almost always move between two locations, and most are stationed in a specific location.
The ethnic groups that will be mentioned are established since colonial times. They continue to exist, and despite the fact that there have been various changes over time, they have maintained many of the traditions and customs of their ancestors.
Main ethnic groups in Guanajuato
As previously mentioned, not all of the ethnic groups that will be discussed here are found entirely in Guanajuato. If they are mentioned, it means that at least part of them are in Guanajuato territory.
1. Chichimeca Jonaz
Topping the list is this town, with approximately 1,433 people in Guanajuato. This represents more than 14% of the indigenous languages spoken in the region.
The Jonaces reside 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 have moved east over 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 from this town 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. Otomi
With more than 740 people in Guanajuato, they represent 7.16% of languages in the entire region.
This could be said to be the culture with the longest history in the region. The name means «who walks with arrows» or «bird shooter» 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, but there are people who are unaware of this culture.
They are good at making woven clothing, especially for women, with distinctive Mazahua elements. 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 records, this culture was born in 1200 AD in Mesoamerica. It is said that its splendor and boom ended in 1600 AD, but currently 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 this was in charge of judicial aspects in the Zacatepec municipality.
7. Mixtecs
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. Currently, much of their culture can be found in pre-Hispanic codices. Genealogical and historical material on the Mixtecs can be found in these codices.
8. Zapotec
168 people were registered by the 2000 census. Some of these groups have taco shops in Celaya, Irapuato and Salamanca, among other municipalities. It also appears that some have established themselves in network businesses.
This was one of the towns that was already there before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. This implies that it belongs to pre-Columbian cultures. It is considered an advanced Mesoamerican civilization.
9.Mayan
With approximately 109 people, the Maya are positioned with 1.05% of the indigenous languages spoken in the region.
There are very few who still preserve this culture with language and customs intact. The Mayans were born in territories south of Mexico and in other areas of Central America. They have a rich history of 3,000 years and is one of the main Mesoamerican pre-Hispanic cultures.
10. Totonac
The number of people in Guanajuato with this culture is 76. They do not add up to even 1% of the indigenous languages of the region.
This culture was renowned for its large amount of land cultivation. In the past, the Totonacs gave the Aztecs a lot of trouble. They were great allies of the Spanish and, along with other peoples, managed to make the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire easier.
Upon the arrival of the Spanish, many Totonacs fell due to the diseases that the conquerors brought with them. That reduced their number, and there are approximately 90,000 speakers in all of Mexico.
11. Chinantecos
Although the Chinantecs inhabit the state of Oaxaca, there are 377 people from this town in Guanajuato. They weave huipiles, an activity in which the whole family participates.
12. Huastecos
This town has 446 people in Guanajuato, located mainly in the northwest of the state, its main nucleus being the municipality of San Luis de la Paz.
13. Huichols
It has 580 people in the state, who are mainly in León.
References
Lists of the Ethnic Groups that are in the State of Guanajuato (2015). Retrieved from documents.mx.
Nauhatl family. Retrieved from mexico.sil.org.
Mazahua culture. Recovered from historiacultural.com.