Cuquío

The municipality consists of land belonging to the Tertiary and Quaternary periods, composed of sedimentary rocks, alluvial, residual and lacustrine soils.

The climate of the municipality is considered semi-dry, with dry winter and spring, and semi-warm with mild winter. The average annual temperature is 64.22°F (17.9°C), and has an average annual rainfall of 839.5 millimeters, with rainfall in June, July and August.

The prevailing winds are heading North to South. The average number of days with frost per year is 7.6.

This region belongs to the Lerma-Chapala-Santiago hydrological basin, Juchipila-Bolaños sub-basin, Río Verde and Grande Belén.

Its main stream is the Río Verde (Green River). It has streams of permanent flow: Atenguillo; flow streams only in the rainy season: Los Gigantes, Contla, Achichilco, Zapote, Ocotic, Blanco, Grande, El Salto, Garza (Heron), Pera (Pear) and Los Hornos.

Its main reservoirs are Los Gigantes, González, and Cuacuala dams.

The composition of the soil corresponds to the type of euphoric Planosol and haplic Feozem as dominant; and the type of ferric Luvisol as an associate.

The natural wealth that the municipality has is represented by 39,000 acres (15,900 hectares) of forests where oak, holm oak, and pine species predominate. The wooded areas known as La Silleta and Plan de Potrerillos stand out for their richness and extension. There are natural forests located in San Gabriel, La Silleta hill and Plan de Potrerillos table, mostly composed of oak, holm oak and pine.

Its mineral resources are deposits of silver, magnesium, lime and quarry. Most of the land has an agricultural use, land tenure is mostly private property.

In the fauna, species such as deer, fox, squirrel, coyote, tigrillo and various birds such as quails, owls and mourning doves stand out, among others.

• The annual fair in honor of San Felipe, from May 3 to 11. "Fiestas de Mayo" are among the most important in the region.
• The festivities of the Virgin of Guadalupe, from December 1 to 12.
• The national celebrations of the month of September. The Queen of the National Holidays is crowned.

National Holidays in Cuquío. Photo: Miguel Ángel Avilés

• Patron celebrations in El Cuatro, from January 28 to 30.
• In the community of Teponahuasco a pilgrimage is made from December 18 to 20. In addition to the pilgrimage of the image of the "Lord of Teponahuasco" that takes place on the first Sunday of July, from his sanctuary in the community of Teponahuasco to the Parish Church of San Felipe Apóstol, and his return on the first Sunday of the month October from the Parish Church of San Felipe Apóstol to his sanctuary in the community of Teponahuasco.
• Feast of the Holy Martyrs. Last Saturday of June, pilgrimage with the relics of the martyrs San Justino Orona Madrigal and San Atilano Cruz from the community of Las Cruces to the Parish Church of San Felipe Apóstol in the municipal seat.
• Feast in Cuacuala. The last Sunday of January it is venerated Santo Santiago, the patron of the town, dances of the Tastoanes come in addition to the visit of the absent people (those who have migrated to the United States), there are dances, fireworks, and popular festival. This day, buses from different parts of the Guadalajara metropolitan area travel carrying a good number of visitors to the traditional town of Cuquio.
• Feast in La Esperanza on February 14, day of the Virgin of Hope.
• Feast in San Juan on March 10, day of the Precious Blood of Christ, dance from March 8 to 16.
• Feast at Las Cruces on October 24, San Rafael day.
• Feast in La Villita on December 12, Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
• Fiesta de Juchitlán in honor of San Bartolo, from August 15 to 24.
• Fiesta de los Arcos on January 20, day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
• Feast in San José de los Molina, March 19.
• Feast in the community of El Terrero in Honor of the Risen Christ (celebrated one week after Holy Week).
• Patron celebrations in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, in the Colonia Lázaro Cárdenas. December 12th.
• Festivities of the Community of Monte de Jala, in honor of the Virgen del Carmen, on July 16.
• Patron celebrations of Rancho El Pirul, in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, on June 6, dances come from the community of La Laguna.

There is a legend that tells that a large shipment of gold and silver, in seven mules, is buried in a cave of Cerro del Truco (Hill of the Trick) having sealed the "door" of said cave with mortar mixed with the blood of the seven mules. This treasure was the product of theft by a sheaf that assaulted haciendas and royal roads and as it is said only two of the members of the sheaf were injured in a fight and were fleeing when they finished burying the treasure, dying shortly after, and no one knows the exact place of this cave. So there have been many adventurers who want to find this treasure, without having achieved it. The inhabitants of the nearby communities have remained alert from their homes to see when the "door" of the cave opens, but they fear suddenly seeing themselves in the situation of a well-known saying ("everything or nothing") for what referring to the treasure of that cave, since whoever manages to see that wealth once inside must take everything or else must leave even what he/she brings. This is how the charm of Cerro del Truco is heard.

A Christ is venerated which some Indians found while walking in Cuquío, named as Black Christ of Teponahuasco. For this, traditional pilgrimages are made every Friday of the year. Every first Sunday of July, the Christ is taken to the temple of San Felipe Apóstol as a tradition of the people by a well-known legend there. And on the first Sunday of October, he is returned to his temple in Teponahuasco.

In Cuquío there is also the Cuauhquioc Folkloric Group, a ballet directed by Fernando Ramos Barajas, which currently has 24 members, youth and adults; it is the result of the effort and work of nine generations, who have given life to traditions for thirty years, dances of the peoples of the country.

In its thirty years of life, the Cuauhquioc Folkloric Ballet has alternated with folk groups from Ecuador and Colombia, as well as with important artists of popular culture such as Paloma del Río, Valente Pastor, Hilda Aguirre and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, among others.

Recently, some folk groups have emerged to enrich the culture of Cuquío, sponsored by the cultural mission offered by the Secretariat of Education, managing to cross borders and visiting some cities such as Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Among the participating communities are El Terrero, Teponahuasco, and the municipal seat.

Wooden objects such as chairs, tables and doors are made; paper flowers, embroidery, two-needle and crochet fabrics; clothing, pottery, glazing, wool blankets, baskets of reeds and wood. In Teponahuasco pots and other articles are made out of clay.

Teponahuasco pottery. Photo: Miguel Ángel Avilés

Food: Goat meat birria, chicken or turkey birria, arepas, panela, and empanochadas (wheat flour and piloncillo bread) and the famous cotorras, "guaraches", "picones" (fluffy sweet breads, raised in a cone shape), and "birotes" (salty wheat flour breads, soft and fluffy on the inside, and hard on the outside).

Sweets: Fruits in syrup.

Drinks: Tequila and mezcal.

Teponahuasco and its wheat flour chips.

Turkey with mole.

Caramel.

Tacos in the market.

Sliced bread.

Corn tamales.