Pajalat facts for kids
The Pajalat were a Native American group who lived in the area just south of San Antonio, Texas a long time ago. They were also known by other names like Cajalate, Pajalac, Pajalache, Pajalatam, Pallalat, or Paxolot. They lived in this region before the Spanish arrived in the 1700s.
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Who Were the Pajalat?
The Pajalat were one of many Native American groups living in what is now Texas. They were part of the larger Coahuiltecan language family. This means they spoke a language similar to other groups in the area.
Where Did They Live?
The Pajalat lived in the southern part of Texas. Their homes were located just south of the city we now call San Antonio. This area was their traditional homeland for many years.
Their Language
The Pajalat spoke a language that was a form of Coahuilteco. This language was spoken by many different Native American groups in South Texas and northeastern Mexico. It helped them communicate with each other.
Life at Mission Concepcion
In the 1700s, Spanish missionaries built churches and communities called missions in Texas. These missions were meant to teach Native Americans about the Spanish way of life and the Christian religion.
Joining the Mission
Starting in 1731, many Pajalat people moved to Mission Concepcion. This mission was located near San Antonio. Moving to the mission changed their traditional way of life.
Sharing Leadership
At Mission Concepcion, the Pajalat people played an important role. They shared leadership positions with another Native American group called the Tacames. Members of both tribes took turns holding offices like gobernador and alcalde. A gobernador was like a governor or main leader. An alcalde was like a mayor or judge. This shows they had a say in how the mission community was run.
