Purépecha Empire

The Purépecha Empire, also known as the Kingdom of Tzintzuntzan (Purépecha: Ts'intsúntsani Iréchikwa), was a powerful group in pre-Columbian Mexico. Its land covered parts of modern-day Michoacán, Jalisco, Guanajuato, and Guerrero in Mexico. When the Spanish arrived, it was the second-largest state in Mesoamerica.

The kingdom began in the early 1300s and lost its freedom to the Spanish in 1530. It later became known as the area of Michoacán. The people called the place Michhuahcān, meaning “place of fisher folk,” because of the many fish in the lakes.

Led by a king or queen called the Irecha or Kuhcha, the Purépecha built their capital at Tzintzuntzan, meaning “place of hummingbirds,” beside Lake Pátzcuaro. They were strong rivals of the nearby Aztec Empire and often fought to stop the Aztecs from expanding westward.

One special thing about the Purépecha was that they used metal for tools and weapons, which was rare in Mesoamerica at that time. This made them very different from many other groups around them.

Etymology and definitions

The word "Purépecha" comes from P'urhépicha, an old name meaning "villager" or "commonfolk". It is based on the idea of people who walk near homes and markets.

Different groups had their own names for the Purépecha. The Nahuas called them Michua, meaning "owner of fish". The Matlatzinca called them hue Ninche, meaning "the eagle", or hue Hohuí, meaning "the warrior". The Mazahua called their homeland Animaxe, meaning "place of eagles". The Otomi called them Amanthâhi or Amandâhŷ, meaning "wind people". And the Mixtec called them Ñuu Teyaca, meaning "place/people of fish".

Another name sometimes used for the Purépecha is Tarasco, coming from the word "tarhaskwa", meaning "parent-in-law/child-in-law". This name was used by Spaniards long ago. It is not popular in many Purépecha communities today.

Ethnic groups

The Purépecha Empire had many different groups of people. The main group was the Purépecha people. Other groups lived in parts of the empire too, such as the Nahuas, Otomi, Matlazincas, and Mazahuas. There were also Chichimecs like the Guamares and Pames in the Bajio area, Cocas near Lake Chapala, Cuitlatecs around the Balsas River valley, and Chumbios close to Zacatula.

Geography and lithic occupation

The Purépecha Kingdom was in the highlands of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the lowlands of the Tierra Caliente, between the Lerma and Balsas rivers. The north is cooler, while the south feels warm. The land has volcanic mountains and lake areas above 2000 meters (6500 feet). The central plateau has rich soil, and the plants there include pine, oak, and fir trees. People lived around the lakes, where there was plenty to eat. Near the Lerma River, they found important things like obsidian and warm springs. The kingdom was centered around the Lake Pátzcuaro area.

History of the Iréchikwa

Early archaeological evidence

People have lived in the Purépecha area since very early times, even before 2500 BC. Scientists have found old stone tools and other items that show this. One of the earliest known cultures in this area was the Chupícuaro culture. Many of their settlements were on lake islands, which later influenced the Purépecha way of life. During a later time called the Classic period, there is evidence that the nearby city of Teotihuacan had some effect on the region.

Ethnohistorical sources

One of the most important sources for learning about the Purépecha comes from a book called the Relación de Michoacán. It was written around 1540 by a priest named Fray Jeronimo de Acalá. The book includes stories told by Purépecha nobles, covering their religion, society, and history, including the time when the Spanish arrived. Some parts of the book about their religion are missing. Other helpful sources include small drawings and pictures made at the time, such as the Lienzo de Jucutacuto.

Foundation and expansion

In the late classic period, two groups lived near Lake Pátzcuaro: Nahuatl speakers in Jarácuaro and some Chichimecan cultures on the northern banks. The Nahua population was also large there.

A leader named Tariácuri decided to unite the communities around Lake Pátzcuaro into one strong state. Around 1300, he began to conquer nearby areas and placed his sons as rulers in Ihuatzio and Tzintzuntzan. By the time he died around 1350, his family controlled all the main centers around the lake. His son Hiripan continued to expand into areas near Lake Cuitzeo.

Hiripan and his brother Tangáxuan I organized the kingdom's rules and divided responsibilities among leaders. They brought more lands into the kingdom, including areas near the Balsas River.

Later, under King Tzitzipandáquare, the kingdom grew but sometimes lost areas due to rebellions or conflicts with the Aztecs. In 1460, the kingdom reached the Pacific coast at Zacatula and moved into the Toluca Valley and parts of today’s Guanajuato. The Aztecs tried to take over but were defeated. The Purépecha built strong defenses along the border and allowed groups like the Otomies and Matlatzincas to live there if they helped protect the land.

From 1480, the Aztecs, led by Ahuitzotl, attacked the Purépecha more often. The Purépecha fought back but could not expand further until the Spanish arrived during the rule of the last king, Tangáxuan II.

Between 1480 and 1510, the Purépecha took control of parts of today’s Colima and Jalisco to protect important mines. However, local groups resisted, and after thirty years, the Purépecha were forced to leave.

Religion

Main article: Purépecha deities

The Purépecha people believed in many gods and goddesses, like other cultures in Mesoamerica. They called these gods and goddesses Tukúpacha. This word also described powerful natural forces, like the sea.

Some important gods and goddesses included:

• Kweráwahpiri, the goddess of rain and mother of the gods. She was very important to the people.
• Xarhátanha, the goddess of maize and food. She was shown wearing a crown of chilies.
• Kurhiti K'éri, the creator of humans and messenger of the gods.
• Parhákwahpini, the earth goddess. The land was thought to rest on her back.

Metallurgy

The Purépecha people were very good at working with metals. They used metals like copper, silver, and gold to make beautiful things. Places such as Michoacán and Colima gave them gold, Tamazula gave silver, and the La Huacana area gave copper.

They made many useful and special items from these metals. These included cups, armlets, bracelets, and bells for ceremonies. Some items were also made from bronze and included tools like needles and fishhooks. Many of these precious items were taken by the Spanish when they came.

Spanish conquest of Purépecha Kingdom

After hearing about the fall of the Aztec Empire, King Tangáxuan II sent messengers to the Spanish. Some Spaniards visited Tzintzuntzan, met the king, and exchanged gifts. They returned with gold samples, which made Cortés very interested. In 1522, a Spanish army led by Cristóbal de Olid entered Purépecha land and reached Tzintzuntzan. The Purépecha army was large, but they chose not to fight. Tangáxuan agreed to work with the Spanish, and he was allowed to keep much of his power. For several years, both Cortés and Tangáxuan ruled Michoacán, and the people paid taxes to both.

Later, the Spanish sent a harsh leader named Nuño de Guzmán. He worked with a local noble and had Tangáxuan executed in 1530. This caused unrest. In the following years, the Spanish placed their own rulers in charge. Later, Vasco de Quiroga arrived and helped bring peace by earning the trust of the local people.