El Desemboque facts for kids
El Desemboque is a small town in the Mexican state of Sonora. It is located on the coast of the Gulf of California, about 376 kilometers (234 miles) from the city of Hermosillo. The town is an important place for the Seri people, who are also known as the Comcaac.
In the Seri language, the town is called Haxöl Iihom. This name means "where the clams lie." It's a good place to find small clams called Protothaca grata. The Spanish name "El Desemboque" means "the mouth of the river." This is because a river, the Río San Ignacio, meets the sea near the town.
According to a count in 2010, about 287 people lived in El Desemboque. It is one of the two main villages for the Seri people, with the other being Punta Chueca.
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History of El Desemboque
Where the Town Began
El Desemboque was not always in its current spot. It is believed that the original village was about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) north of where it is today.
Moving to a New Home
Sometime in the 1930s, the town moved to its present location. This new spot was better because it offered more protection for the small fishing boats, called pangas, that the Seri people used for fishing.
A Center for the Seri People
For many years, El Desemboque was a very important place for the Seri people. It was the main center for their political and cultural activities. This means it was where important decisions were made and where many traditions were celebrated.
Changes Over Time
In the early 1970s, things started to change. A new highway was built in 1953, connecting Bahía de Kino to Hermosillo. This highway made it easier to travel to Punta Chueca, a smaller Seri community to the south. Because Punta Chueca was closer to the highway, it slowly became the new main center for Seri political life.
Life in El Desemboque Today
Even though its role changed, El Desemboque is still a busy and important community. The two main ways people make a living here are through commercial fishing and creating beautiful handmade crafts. The town has a primary school for children, a cultural center to celebrate Seri traditions, and a small health clinic. It is also home to one of Mexico's oldest fishing cooperatives, which helps local fishers work together.
