# Puácuaro

Puácuaro is a locality belonging to the municipality of Erongarícuaro in the state of Michoacán, Mexico.
It was established on October 22, 1915.

## Etymology

Its translation into Spanish means "place of forgiveness" in the Purépecha language (Puat'pherantzkua).

## History

It is said that the inhabitants of this community arrived in Puácuaro due to the war they had with the Aztec king during their heyday, and it was in the municipal seat of Erongaricuaro where they awaited them, hence it received the name "Eronari," which means "place of waiting." During this period of conflict, the subordinate Purépecha people of Michhuaque, the Purépecha king of Tzintzuntzan, emerged victorious, and it was in Puácuaro where they were granted forgiveness, hence the name Puácuaro.
This town prospered, but during the conquest, many of its traditions were lost. In the early years following the conquest, the region of Erongarícuaro was granted as an encomienda to Juan Infante, who engaged in a prolonged and noisy legal dispute with Vasco de Quiroga over the possession of several towns in the Pátzcuaro lake area and others. By 1575, it fell under the jurisdiction of Pátzcuaro, losing the towns in the mountains that belonged to it, and its people worked on the construction of the Cathedral of Pátzcuaro.
The population of this region played a decisive role in the revolutionary struggle, advocating for the restitution of the lands that had been usurped from them over the centuries. The communities in the present municipality of Erongarícuaro were the first to demand the return of lands from the revolutionary government. The peasant communities of Erongarícuaro suffered land dispossession throughout the colonial domination and in the early years of independent Mexico, as the neighboring landowners, who had acquired haciendas through the same mechanism, took their lands. It was not until October 22, 1915, when Puácuaro requested the lands of the Napízaro hacienda, that it became the well-known town it is today.

## Ecosystem and Climate

In this region of Michoacán, mammals such as opossums (tlacuaches) are predominant, but other animals can also be found, including roadrunners (corre caminos), wild cows, wild horses, deer (although they are scarce), as well as rabbits, opossums, snakes, owls, vultures, woodpeckers, and coyotes. Since it is an area with a lake (Lake Pátzcuaro), fish such as carp, tirus, cuerepos, charales, trout, and axolotls can be found. Around the lake, one can find geese, ducks, herons, and occasionally swans.
The region has a predominantly temperate climate with summer rainfall. The annual precipitation is approximately 1,040.8 mm, and temperatures range between 7 °C and 25 °C during the hottest months.

## Geography and Geology

Puácuaro is located in the municipality of Erongarícuaro in the state of Michoacán de Ocampo, Mexico. Its GPS coordinates are:
Latitude: 19° 36' 10.1" (19.6028°) north Longitude: 101° 40' 27.1" (101.6742°) west The locality is situated at an average elevation of 2040 meters above sea level (6,801 feet). It is located at the foothills of the Takuana and Tzira hills.
Puácuaro is in the area of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains and has a territorial extension of approximately 30 square kilometers.
Its lands are ideal for cultivation and farming, and they are also used for adobe production.

## Demographics

As of the year 2010, the municipality had a population of 1,807 inhabitants, of which 55% were women and 45% were men.
This community is one of the few that still preserves the Purépecha language, as it has been lost in the rest of the municipality.

## Economic Activities

The population is mainly engaged in livestock farming, and secondary activities include crop cultivation and farming of products such as corn, avocado, beans, peach, lemon, pomegranate, apricot, and capulin.
Carpentry and the sale of wood are also common occupations. Additionally, craftwork using chuspata fibers is practiced.
Trade is another economic activity, and there are also labor-intensive jobs such as masonry and fieldwork that require being present throughout the day.

## Customs and Traditions

Puácuaro has numerous traditions, including the "t'are hueratechas" celebrated in January, and the carnival held in February where men dress up as various characters for a three-day celebration.
During Holy Week, the "Judas" come out, which are men dressed in a Judas mask and a skirt. They carry a rope and a bag of coins to collect more coins and donate them for the burning of Judas on Easter Sunday.
The Corpus Christi festival is celebrated exactly 40 days after the burning of Judas. During this festival, thanks are given for the harvest, profits, and acquired goods through God's grace. The villagers distribute themselves according to their occupations (professionals, livestock farmers, fishermen, artisans, among others) and throw away their earnings. They throw objects into the air, and whoever catches the object becomes the new owner (buckets, notebooks, figurines, etc.).
Parades are also held to commemorate Mexican holidays, but the most lively one is the parade on November 20, which celebrates the distribution of communal lands to the people thanks to the Mexican Revolution. During these dates, there is a parade, a socio-cultural event, and the next day there is a bullfight. Afterward, there is a small dance.
The patron saint festivities of this town take place on December 12, celebrating the Virgin of Guadalupe. On that day, there is a religious event at the church, candles are brought, baptisms take place, there is a procession through the town, and at night, there is a fireworks display. Following that, there are 2 to 3 days of bull riding events (jaripeos).