Cocula, Jalisco

Cocula
Municipality and city
Cocula

La plaza in central Cocula.

Flag
Nickname(s): La Cuna del Mariachi
"The Cradle of Mariachi"

Location in Jalisco
Cocula

Location in Jalisco

Coordinates: 20°21′55″N 103°49′20″W / 20.3651672°N 103.8221419°WCoordinates: 20°21′55″N 103°49′20″W / 20.3651672°N 103.8221419°W
Country  Mexico
State  Jalisco
Municipality Cocula
Government
 • Municipal President Héctor Jesús Castillo Andrade
(PAN)
Elevation 1,350 m (4,429 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 55,174
 • City 43,548
 • Demonym Coculense
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
Postal code 48500
Website www.cocula.gob.mx

Cocula (Nahuatl: Cocollán "ondulated place") is a city and municipality in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It is located 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Guadalajara, on Mexico Highway 80. It sits at an elevation of 4,460 ft (1,350 m). According to the 2010 census,[1] the population of the municipality was 26,174 with 14,548 inhabitants living in city. Other important towns in the municipality are Cofradía de la Luz, La Sauceda, and Santa Teresa.

Economy

The Cocula region is primarily agrarian in nature, growing not only corn, agave, sorghum, chickpeas, alfalfa and mangoes; but also raising to a lesser degree, pigs, poultry, goats, and cattle. Cocula City is also the head of local commerce, with a wide range of specialized retailers of food, clothing, shoes, and construction materials, while also serving as the primary center for general services such as banks, hospitals, car repair shops and other services within the region.

History

La Purísima is one of the chapels featured for its religious architecture.

Cocula was called originally Cocollán or Cocolán, which has been interpreted to mean "ondulated place." Around the 12th century, some families of the Coca tribe who inhabited the Kingdom of Tonalá were forced to flee the area due to hostility towards them. A group guided by Huehuetztlatzin founded Cocollán in today's Acatlan de Juarez area.

Cocollán was destroyed at the beginning of the 16th century. They tried to establish themselves in the Tlajomulco area a few miles from there but were expelled by the local tribes. They ended up occupying the top of a mountain close to the original Cocollán site were they remained until the arrival of the Spaniards.

By 1520, Cocollán was an independent city under the rule of Chief Citlali (The Star). It had some tributary towns under its control like Acatlan, Villa Corona, Tizapanito, Xilotepetque and Tecolotlán. In 1521, the Spanish army under Alonso the Avalos conquered Cocollán and surrounding towns and incorporated them into the Avalos Province. A few years later, Franciscan monks persuaded the indigenous inhabitants of the city to relocate to a valley nearby, which is its present location. This is believed to have happened in 1532. There are still remains of the old city, which is referred to as Cocula Vieja (Old Cocula).

In 1833, Cocula was declared a city, Cocula is best known as the birthplace of mariachi world.

Culture

Cocula is referred to as "La Cuna del Mariachi," or "The Cradle of Mariachi," given that mariachi music originated there in the 19th century. As one enters or exits Cocula, two large arches, featuring two guitars or violins, bear the inscription "Bienvenidos a Cocula, Cuna Mundial del Mariachi." Many well known mariachi groups have come from Cocula and surrounding areas. A famous Mexican Artist named Jorge Negrete sang a song called "Cocula" that talks about this town and how mariachi originated there.

References

  1. ↑ "City Population - Cocula, Jalisco". citypopulation.com. Retrieved 4/1/11. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

External links

Pictures de Cocula