Many came to these newly towns in search of a new life. In many cases, and what I’ve read from early documents, many were ex-hacienda slaves, indigenous or Spaniards, trying to create a better life for themselves and many began intermarrying. Most African-Mexican roots from this region are almost non-existent as they were culturally incorporated, yet their blood still continues on within all of us to some degree (accounting an average of 5-8% West African DNA).
Likewise, with the Caxcan, the indigenous people who once called these lands home. Though their language is no more, many clues left behind suggest they used a variant of Uto-Aztecan language which spans as far north as California and was the basis for the Aztec (Nahuatl) language. Though there is little evidence to support the Caxcans were present within this valley around 1776 (when the village was established), they are, however, clear indications that they were there at different periods prior…and their descendants from the principle valley down below Aguascalientes did migrate to this region. The valley of Huejucar connects into the Valley of Juchipila (or Canyon of Juchipila in present day Zacatecas), which historically served as a very important strategic area during the conquest of Mexico.
Beginning of the Caxcan Rebellion
The Caxcan rebellion (also known as the Mixton War) started during a ritualistic dance in a place known as Tlaxicoringa. During the dance they would pass a pumpkin gourd around and dance around it. During the sacred dance a sudden gust of wind blew in and swept up the gourd from the ground. It smashed open on the ground nearby. The seers quickly interpreted it as meaning to take up arms against the Spaniard invaders and expelling them out, just as the gourd was swept up and destroyed.
Within the Kingdom of Xalisco (Jalisco) alone it was noted that the Spaniards burned down some 800 villages, causing many Chichimecas to flee into the highlands. The leaders (Tlatoani’s) Xiuhtecutli and Tecuitlatl (from Xuchipila now Juchipila), Petacatl (from Xalpa now Jalpa), Coaxicar (from Xuchitlan now Magdalena), Tenquital (from Tlaltenango) and Tenamaxtli (from Nochistlan) quickly spread the word (or tlatol) to mobilize against the Spaniards. But it was not until Tenamaxtli, who left behind the Catholic Church after being baptized, who later led the rebellion at the infamous Mixton hill fortress (between present day Jalpa and Teocaltiche) with 15,000 allied Chichimeca fighters.
They began burning down churches, monasteries, and Spaniard houses. The rebellion grew and threatened to spread further south. Pedro de Alvarado, who fought alongside Cortes at Tenochtitlan, conquered/travelled to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Peru, was asked to fight in the siege against the Caxcanes but later died in a freak accident before engaging in battle.
In 1541 the Spaniards, along with 30-60,000 Aztecs and other conquered indigenous (i.e., Tlaxcaltecas, Purépecha, Huejotzincas, and Chalcas), began invading the Caxcan territories.
During the battle of Mixton Hill, many Caxcan fighters are said to have yelled ‘¡Ashcanquema tehual nehual! (Until your death or my own!) before throwing themselves off the cliff rather than be taken as captives as the battle came to an end.
After the Mixton war was over, thousands of indigenous people were dragged off in chains to work the mines or work on haciendas, while everyone else (including women and children) were executed by cannon fire, torn apart by dogs or stabbed to death. Tenamaxtli hid with several other rebels among the Cora in present day Nayarit, until he eventually surrended and was sent to Spain in chains where he met Bartolomé de las Casas. Together they presented evidence of this extreme brutality against the indigenous people at the hands of the Spanish conquistadores within the Spanish courts. Tenamaxtli presented forth the earliest precursor to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that we use today. He died after October 5th, 1556, while attending trials.
Legacy of the Chichimeca
To this day in Juchipila (from the Caxcan word Xuchipila, or Nahuatl word Xochipillan, meaning place of the beautiful or gentle flowers) they still participate in the Xúchitl Festival, where they make offerings of bread, honey, flowers of xacalaxúchitl, and tejuino (fermented corn brew) to an idol of the god Xochipilli, in hopes of everything from a good harvest to good health or protection. Furthermore, there is belief that the ‘Aztec/Mexica Conchero dances’ (that we commonly see today) actually originated from the Chichimeca (Caxcan, Otomi, Jonaz, etc), specifically within Queretaro/Guanajuato region. The Aztecs/Mexica were never able to conquer the ‘savage’ Chichimeca tribes to the north and after the conquest they were prevented from practicing their own traditional dances. It is believed these indigenous dances, in some form or another, were later (within the 19th century) taken down to Mexico City and changed to reflect an Azteca identity.
https://www.jrzetina.com/442944192
https://www.milenio.com/cultura/encuentran-documento-francisco-tenamaztle-archivo-indias
This Post Has 3 Comments
Thank you, this is a great article. My great grand father was born in Nochistlan and lived there until he was about thirteen. He walked to the U.S. and crossed the border at Juarez just over a hundred years ago. I’ve always been interested in my Caxcan ancestors, Tenamixtle, and the rebellion. I did a paper in college back in ’94, but it more of a family history on account I couldn’t find much on the subject back then. Thank you. Estevan.
My grandparents were from a ranch up in the mountains surrounding Calvillo, Aguascalientes. Garcia and de Lara were their surnames, I traced the deLaras back to 1700’s possibly 1600’s since my search found records that were blurry and hard to read not positive of relationships. I know the deLaras had Indigenous blood according to my father. Thanks for the article!
Hola! My grandparents are from La Labor Calvillo Mx and their last names are Garcia and De Loera.
What a coincidence to be reading this article and see your comment. Saludos!