Investor Presentaiton
The Guachichiles
The Spanish frontiersmen and contemporary writers referred to the Guachichiles
"as being the most ferocious, the most valiant, and the most elusive" of all their
indigenous adversaries
It is believed that the Guachichile Indians were closely related to the Huichol
Indians, who continue to live in Nayarit and the northern fringes of Zacatecas in
the present day era... Consider the similarity of "Guachil" and "Huichol" - the
theory states that the Huichol were a subgroup that moved to the west and
developed their own culture and language.
Historians believe that the Guachichiles were the most skilled of the Chichimecas
in developing tribal alliances. They were a major catalyst in provoking the other
tribes to resist the Spanish settlement and exploitation of Indian lands. "Their
strategic position in relation to Spanish mines and highways," wrote Professor
Powell, "made them especially effective in raiding and in escape from Spanish
reprisal." They were able to quickly disappear into their territory where the
Spaniards did not dare to follow.
Sources: Stacy B. Schaefer and Peter T. Furst (eds.), "People of the Peyote: Huichol Indian History, Religion,
and Survival" (1996); Philip Wayne Powell, "Soldiers, Indians and Silver: North America's First Frontier War" (1973).
Copyright © 2019 by John P. Schmal.
All Rights Reserved.
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