Toboso people facts for kids
The Toboso people were a group of Native American people who lived in what is now northern Mexico. Their lands were in the modern states of Chihuahua and Coahuila. They also lived along the middle part of the Conchos River and in a desert area called the Bolsón de Mapimí. The Toboso were often connected with the Jumano people, and sometimes people thought they were part of the same group.
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Early Encounters with Europeans
The Toboso people were linked to the Native Americans living at a place called La Junta de los Rios, near what is now Presidio, Texas. However, because the Toboso lived further south, they faced more slave raids from the Spanish. This made them react differently to Spanish explorers. For example, in 1583, the Native Americans at La Junta, often called Jumanos, welcomed the Spanish explorer Antonio Espejo and his group. But the Toboso people were scared and ran away from his expedition.
Fighting the Spanish
In the 1640s, the Toboso began to attack Spanish missions and mines located to their west. These missions and mines were also home to the Tarahumara people. Later, many Toboso people were taken to missions near Monterrey. While living there, they learned to speak Spanish. However, a large number of Toboso left these missions and chose not to follow Christianity.
The Spanish called the Toboso "ladinos." This word meant "cunning" or "clever." It showed that the Toboso understood the Spanish way of life and used this knowledge to fight the Spanish more effectively. In the 1690s, the Toboso also carried out many attacks against Tarahumara missions and ranches.
In the 1680s, the Jumano people at La Junta were not closely allied with the Toboso. This is shown by the fact that Juan Sabeata, a Jumano leader, was still willing to work with Juan de Retana even after Retana had spent time fighting against the Toboso.
Toboso Groups
The Toboso people were organized into different groups called bands. Over time, the number of these bands decreased. In the 1680s, there were 12 known Toboso bands. By 1693, the Spanish identified only four main Toboso bands:
- The Osatayogliglas
- The Guazapayogliglas
- The Chichitames
- The Sisimbles
Later History and Disappearance
By the year 1800, most of the Toboso people who remained in modern Mexico had become part of the Hispanic culture. This means they had adopted the Spanish language and customs.
However, some Toboso people moved to the coast of Texas. They lived in and near Mission Nuestra Señora del Refugio from 1807 until at least 1828. We know this from baptism records kept at that mission, which show Toboso people were present there.
In the 18th century, starting around 1776, Matagorda Island in Texas was known as Toboso Island. People who had run away from other missions, like Mission Rosario and Mission Espiritu Santo, lived there, along with Karankawans. It is possible that the island got its name because some Toboso people were among those who lived there.
See also
In Spanish: Tobosos para niños
