According to the group’s tradition, the word “mayo” means “people from the shore”. Mayos refer to themselves as yoremes, “the people that respects tradition”, and call white men yori, “the one who does not respect”. They also call torocoyori, “that who treasons, that who denies tradition” to the Mayos who deny their roots and compromises.

The mayo region is located in the northern part of Sinaloa and southern Sonora. In Sinaloa, Mayo communities are located in the municipalities of El Fuerte, Choix, Guasave, Sinaloa de Leyva and Ahome. In Sonora, the municipalities they are located in are Álamos, Quiriego, Navojoa, Etchojoa and Huatabampo.

Over the years, Mayos have had to share their lands with yoris. The principal mayo towns are located where their ceremonial centers are, like Júpare, Etchojoa, San Pedro, San Ignacio Cohuirimpo, Pueblo Viejo, Navojoa, Tesia, Camoa, Huatabampo and Conicárit in Sonora.

As members of the cahita family of tribes, mayos had relationship with the Yaquis, the Ocoroni and the Guasave (these last two now extinct). Nowadays, Mayos have relationship with the Yaquis to the north and the Guarijíos to the east.

HISTORY

Mayos and Yaquis share their origin, language and history; they are sister cultures. The Warohios, Rarámuri, Guarijíos, Mayos and Yaquis are the result of a regional-ethnic redistribution process that changed the essence of these groups.

According to the cave paintings in the area, the culture of Huatabampo exists from circa 180 bc. The first settlers practiced hunting, fishing and recollection. Slowly they developed agricultural techniques that let them settle in communities.

The first confrontation the Mayos had was with the Spaniards, who where leadered by Nuño de Guzmán in 1531. In 1548, the conquerors established Fort Montesclaros, the first in mayo territory. The Jesuits influence, after their arrival in 1591, was decisive for their pacification. It was not until 1599 that Diego Martínez de Iturraldo defeated the Mayos and these surrendered to the Spanish Crown.

However, the Mayos insist on rebelling against the Spaniards. The Jesuit Pedro Méndez begins the colonization and evangelization of the region, and builds seven chapels were the Mayos reunite.

In 1700, what is now the state of Sonora was a part of the High Audit of Guadalajara that was controlled by the Jesuits. The Mayos did not like this situation, because they did not govern themselves and their lands were taken by the Spaniards. As a result, the Mayos revolted with the Yaquis against the Spaniards in 1740, leadered by the Yaqui chief Juan Calixto or Muni. When the Yaqui-Mayo war was over, there is a period of peace that lasts until 1825. In the 19th century the mayos helped the Yaquis when they revolted against the Spaniards, leadered by Juan Banderas Cajeme and Tetabiate.

In 1867 the Mexican policy relating native tribes was to make them disappear at any cost, and deportation campaigns were begun. When the Revolution began, Alvaro Obregón promised to return their lands to the Mayos if they participated, a promise that he broke.

More recently, president Cárdenas solved their land problems by granting them common lands in the Mayo Valley. Nevertheless, this movement granted control to both mayos and yoris of the common lands.

LANGUAGE

The Mayo language is a member of the tara-cahita variation, which in turn is part of the Yuto-Nahua family. The dominating language in the region is Spanish and most of Mayos are fluent in it. The Mayos, with a little difference in pronunciation speak the same language as the Yaquis.

CRAFTS

Among the crafts they elaborate we can find: wool blankets, stick baskets, sauz furniture, kitchen tools and wood masks. They also make belts, tehuas (sandals), purses, whips, key rings, saddles, benches, and stools in leather; as well as any objects made of clay and many kinds of knits.

RELIGION

The Mayo vision of the world is influenced by both nature and Catholic faith. Nature’s influence can be seen in their rites and danzes such as El Venado and El Pascola, and the way they sing to flowers, birds and deer. Faith’s influence is reflected in the veneration to the Holy Trinity, Saint Joseph, Saint Francis, among others.

Among the Mayo’s rites are that that tells how God created gold for the yoris and work instruments for the yoremes, the one that explains why incest is prohibited, or how God created the first animals and created them as he did.

Mayo’s religion is organized in the Traditional towns. In each one of them there are some positions that are designated by the religious authorities such as the prayer’s chief, the alawasin, the singers and the church’s directive.

FESTIVITIES

The ceremonial life of the yoremes is very important, almost all of their festivities are related to the Catholic church and their calendar. Their most important feasts are: Semana Santa, Santísima Trinidad, San José, San Ignacio de Loyola, Santa Cruz, Virgen de Guadalupe, Día de Muertos and Cuaresma.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER TOWNS

The most important relationhip Mayos have is that with the yoris, and is one of subordination, because the Legislative, Executive and Judicial powers are held by these last ones, who have decided many times the future and life of the Mayos.

Another important influence comes from Yaqui culture. Although both cultures are essentially different, they have history, language, and religion in common.

Source:

Instituto Nacional Indigenista – http://www.ini.gob.mx

Links:

Etnias Sonorenses, Mayos –
http://www.sonora.gob.mx/historia-cultura/etnias/mayos.htm (Spanish)