According to scholars, the word Otomí is of Nahuatl origin and derives from otomitl, which means “one who walks with arrows”; However, the Mexican archaeologist Wigberto Jiménez Moreno translated it as “bird shooter,” in reference to the fact that hunting was one of the main activities of the Otomi people.
In any case, the Otomi in Hidalgo call themselves hñänñu, “those who speak Otomí”, although depending on the geographical area, these names change: in Toluca they call themselves ñätho; in Querétaro, ñäñho and in Puebla, ñꞌyühü. The above is because there are several Otomi languages and they all belong to the Oto-Mangue linguistic family.
20 indigenous peoples and groups in Mexico with the largest population
Where did the Otomi people originate?
This ethnic group is of very ancient origin, it is believed that they emigrated from the east or south of the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and were the first settlers of the Tula Valley, in the state of Hidalgo, at least five millennia ago, long before the Toltecs.
Consequently, they were part of the flowering of the first Mesoamerican cities; occupying a very extensive area of central Mexico that also included the State of Mexico, some portions of Guanajuato, Querétaro, Michoacán, Puebla, Veracruz, Morelos and Tlaxcala.
Later, once settled, the Otomi established the capital of their empire in Tula but were conquered by the Chichimecas and had to disperse to neighboring areas. In the 15th century they arrived in the Toluca Valley, in the State of Mexico, settling especially in Huamango, “place where wood is worked,” and establishing the most important ceremonial center of the Otomí area, where trade also flourished between the East and West.
With the arrival of the Spanish, the Otomi allied themselves with the conquistadors as a way to free themselves from the Mexica yoke. Later, in the 18th century, they were expelled by Hispanics to arid areas. Already in independent Mexico, they continued to be marginalized but despite everything, they have kept their identity alive.
Current location of the ethnic group
At present, the Otomí are dispersed in several states in central Mexico and according to the Cultural Information System of the Government of Mexico, they live mainly in Hidalgo and the State of Mexico. Also in Querétaro, Veracruz, Puebla, Mexico City and Tamaulipas, totaling just over 350 thousand people.
Social organization and economy of the Otomi people
We can say that the basic unit of the community is the family; with the father being the main authority and the mother who is dedicated to household chores. Regarding their productive activities, the Otomí are mainly dedicated to the agriculture of corn, beans and chili, with traditional techniques. They also grow maguey to prepare pulque. Likewise, remittances sent by migrants represent an important income for families.
Otomi traditions
As in most indigenous peoples, the religion of the Otomi is a mixture of Catholic and pre-Hispanic elements, which includes the cult of the dead; agricultural ceremonies to achieve good harvests; the veneration of various Christian images and the patron saint festivals, the most important event in the community that includes mayordomias.
The nzahki, demonic beings with whom the Otomi people speak
Likewise, the use of medicinal plants is common, a therapeutic practice of pre-Hispanic origin; and also the use of the bath house or temazcal for healing baths.
Finally, the Otomí are skilled artisans, they stand out in the production of wool rugs, molcajetes and black stone metates; palm hats, tule chairs, textiles made on backstrap looms and embroidery.
Keep reading: The beauty behind the decoration of the Otomi ceremonial tortilla