TAPIA ZARATE LUIS ALBERTO1E6

LANDMARK
LAGUNA LARGA, MICHOACÁN

The name of this place is long lagoon, which is located in Mich., Los
Azufres, 58934 Los Azufres, Michoacan. The date I visited was just a
year ago when the pandemic was beginning, we went during Easter
between April and May 2019.
Zacapu or Tzacapu Maruati, a Chichimeca name that means
“precious stones”, is found in the state of Michoacán, in a land
surrounded by lagoons, lakes and islands.
In ancient times, a people settled in this immense territory covered
with a green blanket and surrounded by mountains, stones and a lot
of water. Being so close to this precious element, the inhabitants
lived mainly from fishing and hunting. The abundant and fertile
lands, watered by various springs, allowed the people to
take advantage of the lavish crops of the field; On the other hand, they
exploited the tule and made mats and mats with it. The lagoon that
we know today formed in distant times an immense and peaceful
lake; In its crystalline waters the fish were the delight of
families. Today, life around the swamp has changed.
However, some fishermen continue - as did their ancestors - to live off
fishing and therefore want to protect it and conserve the
environment. We have found one of these “fishermen in the lagoon”.

DERECHOS DE AUTOR DE PORTAL TECNOLÓGICO 2023

Today it is not easy to live from the lagoon due to several reasons, the first of which is that its surface has decreased considera
24 species that live in the lagoon; in particular, the very rare white fish and the achoque, the water snake, the draft, and var

We cannot fail to mention, also, rainbow trout, sardines (acumura)

and blue-tailed minnows. In the swamp you can find black coot,
heron, kingfisher and fishing gull, and in its surroundings there are
frogs and turtles, as well as magpies and armadillos.In the month
of September, when the cold intensifies in the northern winters, up
to the Canadian duck lagoon, but in the month of May, when it is
warmer, it returns to Canada. The most surprising thing about this
lagoon is certainly the presence of clams. Fishermen affirm that
this freshwater clam is very rare, and that if it is possible to
observe it here in Zacapu it is due to the purity of its waters, which
come from fourteen springs. However, all these species are very
fragile, and many of them could become extinct in a short time if
we do not take care of the environment. That is why the Union of
Fishermen of Zacapu is not only dedicated to supporting workers,
but also to the protection of the aquatic species of the swamp.

Long is the history of this town, located at 1,995 meters above sea level, which is dominated by the
majestic “Cerro del Tecolote” (3,200 meters above sea level) and that sometimes - in winter - wears a
white blanket of snow. Zacapu inhabitants settled in Naranxha and there they dedicated themselves to
fishing and hunting; Then a nomadic tribe of Chichimeca descent came from the north, looking for a
place for their god Curicaveri, they settled on the hill of “Mal País”, where they founded a population in
the place designated by the name of Tzacapu Maruati. There were conflicts between the newcomers and
the residents of Naranxha, who were subdued by this new group, which they called the Purépecha (the
one who visits).
Zacapu was the main ceremonial and religious center of the flourishing empire. This nation did
not escape the social problems of the arrival of Cortés to our nation, and in 1522 Captain
Cristóbal de Olid, Cortés's lieutenant, carried out the conquest of Michoacán. Tzacapu began in
1541 and religious such as Fray Juan de San Miguel and Vasco de Quiroga (first bishop of
Michoacán) arrived in the area, who showed sincere interest in the Indians, to whom they
taught letters, music and the Gospel. 1548 Fray Jacobo Daciano said that it was God's will that
a church be built in that place, and in this way what is now the city of Zacapu was born.