Triqui - Orientation



Identification. The Triqui are an indigenous Mexican group who live in the southwestern part of the state of Oaxaca. The term "Triqui" comes from the word driqui. Dri derives from dre r "father," and qui, "great" or "superior"; consequently, "driqui" means "supreme father" or "supreme lord," alluding to the clan "representative" who was consulted on government matters.

Location. The Triqui live in an enclave of the Mixteca Alta and Mixteca Baja in the state of Oaxaca, in a vertex between the districts of Juxtlahuaca, Tlaxiaco, and Putla. The area lies between 17°10′ and 17°15′ N and 97°45′ and 97°50′ W.

Demography. In the sixteenth century the Triqui population did not exceed 2,000. In 1900 the number barely reached 3,000, but in 1980 it exceeded 15,000. The 1990 census registered 14,981 speakers of Triqui.

Linguistic Affiliation. The Triqui language is in the Mixtecan Branch of the Otomanguean Family.


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