Comecrudo people facts for kids
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| northern Tamaulipas (19th c.) | |
| Languages | |
| Comecrudo language | |
| Religion | |
| Indigenous | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Coahuiltecan peoples |
The Comecrudo people were an Indigenous group who lived in northern Tamaulipas, a state in Mexico. They were part of a larger group called the Coahuiltecan people.
Contents
Where Did the Comecrudo Live?
The Comecrudo people lived in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico, during the 1600s and 1700s. Later, in the late 1700s, they lived near the southern bank of the Rio Grande. This area was not far from the city of Reynosa.
What Language Did They Speak?
The Comecrudo people spoke the Comecrudo language. This language was part of a group called the Pakawan languages.
Recording the Comecrudo Language
In 1886, a Swiss-American expert named Albert S. Gatschet worked with eight older Comecrudo people. They remembered some words from their language. Gatschet wrote down these words to help preserve parts of the Comecrudo language.
What Does "Comecrudo" Mean?
The name Comecrudo comes from Spanish. It means "raw meat eaters." Spanish settlers also called them the Carrizo, which means "reed."
Their Preferred Name
In 1886, the Comecrudo people told Albert S. Gatschet that they liked the name Comecrudo better than Carrizo. Other groups also had names for them. The Tonkawa and Kiowa people called them the "shoeless people."
A Brief Look at Comecrudo History
In 1886, only about 30 to 35 Comecrudo people were living near a place called Charco Escondido in Tamaulipas. Their last elected leader, named Marcelino, passed away in 1856.
Interactions with Other Groups
At one point, some Comecrudo people were taken captive by the Kiowa tribe.
Modern Comecrudo Heritage
Today, an organization in Floresville, Texas, says they are descendants of the Comecrudo people. They formed a group called the Carrizo Comecrudo Nation of Texas Inc.. However, this group is not officially recognized by the United States government or the state of Texas. This means they are not a federally recognized tribe or a state-recognized tribe.
