Investor Presentaiton
Chihuahua's Indigenous People at Contact
The historical geographer Peter Gerhard (1920-2006) estimated a Nueva Vizcaya
indigenous population of 344,500 in 1550. By 1700, the population would drop to under
100,000, due to war and epidemics from "Old World diseases." According to the American
anthropologist, Edward H. Spicer (1906-1983), the Spaniards recognized the following as
the primary language groups in Chihuahua:
Tarahumaras
Janos
Warihios (Guarijios)
Conchos
Sumas
Tobosos
Apaches (who arrived in the area by the 1650s and increased their
presence in the 1700s)
William B. Griffen's "Indian Assimilation in the Franciscan Area of Nueva Vizcaya❞
provided 127 tribal names for indigenous bands and tribal groups in the area the
Spaniards referred to as the "Greater Conchería." However, because this list included
"possible alternate designations" of some groups, Griffen only offers detailed descriptions
of 89 bands and tribal groups in all. However, Griffen also cautions that a large number of
these groups "are not placeable, linguistically or geographically, except within rather broad
limits."
Source: William B. Griffen, Indian Assimilation in the Franciscan Area of Nueva Vizcaya. Anthropological Papers of the
University of Arizona Number 33.
Copyright 2019 by John P. Schmal.
All Rights Reserved.
7View entire presentation