A Brief History of the Yaquis

By Pat Kent

The Yaqui Indians were first exposed to the Spanish by the Jesuit missionaries in 1617. The Spanish influence reached not only their religion, but social organization and material culture as well. From scattered rancheros throughout Sonora, they were brought together into seven regional townships, with each centered around a Jesuit church. The changes were gradual and peaceful, but because there was no careful documentation of their culture prior to the Jesuits' arrival, there is no true way of knowing just how much influence they had. However, there does seem to be a marked similarity between many Yaqui myths and European fairy tales.

In 1767, the Jesuits in the Yaqui villages were expelled by others fighting to rule Mexico. With this change began over 200 years of persecution, first by the Spanish and French, and then by the Mexican government. The Yaquis were exploited for their possessions, their land, and their labor.

In 1825 began 6 year's of Yaqui revolt that was only marginally sussfull in regaining their independence. Again in 1876, the Yaqui leader Cajeme lead another revolt, but was killed the following year. He was replaced by Tetabiate, but the revolt lead ultimately to deportation and forced splits in families, and the more active dissidents were executed. Revolts of this kind continued without much success until 1927. (The movie "A Thousand Rifles" touches on this period.)

In 1937, President Cardenas returned about 20 percent of the original Yaqui territory back to their control. The tribe is now governed by its own council under the loose supervision of the Mexican military. The Mexican government prides itself on the progress made toward Yaqui interaction with the Mexican mainstream culture.

Ref: Ruth Warner Giddings. Yaqui Myths and Legends.