Let’s Go to Joco.. Jocotepec at Lake Chapala that is !
May 12, 2010
Jocotepec, once was called Xuxutepeque, and began as a small fishing village at the western end of the Lake, and was the area home for the Nahua Indians in 1361. They built a temple to their god, Iztlacateotl, and practiced human sacrifice. The village became a trading and ceremonial site for the surrounding mountain area.
With the arrival of the Spaniards, the settlement’s name became “Jocotepec” and was interpreted as meaning “Hill of Guavas”. (Guavas are a small bitter-sweet tasting fruit.)
Products of Jocotepec are mainly wool carpets in typical weaves and many colors, and the traditional serapes of this village. Another important industry is the fabrication of tiles, ready-made or made to the client’s design.
Wood and forged iron furniture is also made to order. Recently, painting and music have been given a boost by local organizations promoting cultural events.
Jocotepec has two religious protectors: Nuestro Senor del Monte and Nuestro Senor del Guaje. A Fiesta Patronal is held early in January. It lasts two weeks, and honors the first patron, the Lord of the Mountain, with daily masses, dances, cockfights, parades and fireworks. Another fiesta, later in the year, honors Nuestro Senor del Guaje, but on a smaller scale.
Just to the West of Jocotepec is the development called Roca Azul (Blue Rock) which is a large peaceful community where a number of North Americans live a simple, quiet, but fulfilling life.
Surrounding Roca Azul and continuing East along the South shore of Lake Chapala are large commercial black berry and raspberry farms. These large scale farms export their crops to the world.
Local people buy the fruit that’s too ripe for export shipment and sell quart sized containers of the luscious fruit for about $1.50 USD along the North Shore towns and villages.
More and more North Americans are finding Jocotepec to their liking. The cost of living here will be somewhat less than Chapala or Ajijic.
I’m impressed with the local civic pride of the people of Jocotepec who are genuinely warm and welcoming to North Americans.
Wal Mart has built a large Bodega Food Super Market stocking Great Value and other Wal Mart products which has been a big hit with both the North American and Mexican community without hurting the traditional peoples market.
