por There are several versions to explain the meaning of the word Sinaloa. The most accepted version comes from the Cahíta language. In that language, the word Sinaloa is made up of the words without and lobolaforming the word sinalobola (which would later be shortened by Sinaloa).
These words mean «pitahaya» and «rounded», respectively. According to this, the word Sinaloa would then mean round pitahaya.
The pitahaya is the name of a fruit from the cactus family, resistant to droughts. The sweet pitaya is found in the Sinaloa region, whose pulp varies between red and cherry tones, and the tone of its skin is reddish.
As this is the most accepted etymology, the design of the Sinaloa shield is based on this fruit: the rounded edge corresponds to its shape. Despite this, various linguists today still discuss its meaning.
Other similar interpretations of the word Sinaloa
Another interpretation of the word Sinaloa indicates that it is a hybrid word between Cahíta, Tarascan and Nahuatl. Being originally the word sina-ro-un, its meaning would be the same pitahaya fruit.
The addition of this interpretation is that the word ro (which would later become it), of Tarascan origin, means “place of”. At the end of the word, we find an Aztec suffix, atl, whose meaning is water.
Thus, according to this other interpretation, the meaning would go from being a simple fruit, to being «place of pitahayas in the water».
Origin of the word Sinaloa
The origins of the word Sinaloa can be traced back to the 16th century, from the documents of the Spaniards who were in that region.
This name was also used for the river that is now known as the Sinaloa River, and in some cases also for the Fuerte River.
On the other hand, the same word was used for other reasons: both to name the group of Cahítas indigenous people who inhabited the banks of the river in El Fuerte, and to delimit a territory that went from the Mocorito river to where the domain of the Spanish.
Due to the various interpretations and uses of the word Sinaloa, when referring to it it is preferable that it be used precisely, to avoid confusion.
Sinaloa as the name of the state
The state of Sinaloa was named as such in 1831. This state does not have the dimensions it used to have when the Spanish used that name to imprecisely delimit their domains.
However, the division of the territory of Sinaloa predates the invasion, and together with the territories of Chiaetlán and Culiacán, it was based on the environment of nature and the respect they had for it.
Today’s division is very similar to the previous one, although it differs a bit from the one used by the Spanish, since, as noted, they did not have a very precise division.
References
The name Sinaloa. Retrieved from bibliotecadigital.ilce.edu.mx.
Sinaloa. Recovered from siglo.inafed.gob.mx.