An ethnic group that survives urbanization
The Triquis are an indigenous people that are located northwest of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, forming a cultural island in the middle of the vast Mixtec territory.
The main link is their language, in turn, each linguistic variant makes the difference and belongs to each of the Xumanh or Chuman’a.
Also, the red huipiles and their religious beliefs unite them, since they all practice the traditional Triqui religion.
The words “triqui”, “triki”, “trique” or “trike” are terms with which this indigenous group and their language are known.
There is not much information about the meaning of the word triqui.
However, the most popular version says that it dignifies “people who came from below or below.” This is a reference that the Triqui came out of the deep wells of the earth.
In the oral tradition, it is said that the Triqui came from Monte Albán, from where they were expelled for disobeying the king.
Later, they moved to the lower part of the Oaxacan coast.
However, due to the hot climate they sought higher regions and settled in Tlaxiaco.
Its first inhabitants belonged to the Protomixtecano group, approximately in the year 1500.
The economic income of the Triqui is the cultivation of corn, squash, beans, chili, broad beans, quelite, among others.
However, the most important crop is the cultivation of coffee in the hot zone, as well as the cultivation of bananas.
These products are commercialized in the different markets of the region.
Another source of income is the raising of animals, mainly cattle, goats, pigs, sheep and horses.
Beekeeping is also practiced in the lowlands and chickens, turkeys and ducks are raised in lesser numbers.
The Triqui were evangelized by Dominican friars and are considered, to this day, Catholics.
However, they preserve the traditional religion and worship nature, the stars and astronomical phenomena.
According to the National Institute of Indigenous Languages, the Triqui languages are made up of 4 variants.
- Xna’ánj nu ‘ . Spoken in San Juan Copala
- Snáhánj nìh . Spoken in San Martín Itunyoso
- Nánj nình-in . Spoken in San Andrés Chicahuaxtla
- Tnánj nình-in . Spoken in Santo Domingo del Estado.
The Triqui huipiles woven by Triqui women are an example of the great skill that these women have.
It can even be said that this craft is one of the symbols that most represents this ethnic group.
Source: mas-mexico.com.mx
