Nahuizalco facts for kids
Nahuizalco is a lively town in El Salvador, located in the Sonsonate department. It's part of the "Flowers Route" (Ruta de las Flores), a beautiful area to visit. The town is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Sonsonate and 74 kilometers (46 miles) from San Salvador. It sits on a mountain range, about 540 meters (1,770 feet) above sea level. In 2007, about 49,081 people lived there.
Nahuizalco is known for its strong indigenous traditions. Its name comes from the Nahuatl language, meaning "place of four Izalcos." People believe it was founded by four families from a nearby town called Izalco.
The town is very famous for its amazing handmade crafts. These crafts are often made from wicker and tule (a type of reed). Tule comes in two kinds: a light one from the coast and a dark one used for making "petates" (floor mats). Nahuizalco is also special for its night market. Here, the streets are lit only by candles, and beautiful wicker and tule products are sold until 10 PM.
The old colonial church in Nahuizalco was damaged during an earthquake in 2001 but has since been repaired. The church celebrates John the Baptist every year from June 20 to 25. Nahuizalco is also the hometown of poets Alfredo Alvarado and Carlos Arturo Imendia, and a well-known nurse named Julia Torres.
History of Nahuizalco
Nahuizalco is a very old town, dating back to before the arrival of Europeans. It was originally home to the pipil people. During the time when Spain ruled, the area was part of the Izalco region. In 1586, records show that fewer than 200 people lived in Nahuizalco.
Early Times
In 1771, a church leader named Pedro Cortés y Larraz wrote a letter mentioning Nahuizalco as the main town for a church area called "Nahuisalco." This area included three other churches and had many cattle. The letter also described the people of Nahuizalco. There were about 2,790 "Indians" living in 825 families, and 190 "ladinos" (people of mixed heritage) in 41 families.
From 1821 to 1823, Nahuizalco was part of Guatemala. Then, in 1824, it became part of the Sonsonate department in El Salvador. The people of Nahuizalco were known for strongly supporting Francisco Morazán during the time of the Federal Republic of Central America. In 1856, a report said that 4,983 people lived in the town.
Modern History
In 1932, the town faced a difficult period during the peasant uprisings. Years later, in 1955, Nahuizalco was officially given the title of a city.
In recent times, indigenous groups in Nahuizalco have worked hard to get their rights recognized. Because of their efforts, the city government of Nahuizalco created a special rule called the "Rights of the Established Indigenous Communities in the Municipality of Nahuizalco." This rule was published on July 6, 2011. It was the first time in El Salvador's history that a city officially recognized the rights of its indigenous peoples. This was a big step forward for the community.
See also
In Spanish: Nahuizalco para niños
