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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Unknown | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Mexico (Sonora) | |
| Languages | |
| Spanish, formerly Opata | |
| Religion | |
| Roman Catholicism[1] |
The Opata (Spanish: Ópata, /ˈopata/) are an Indigenous people in Mexico. Opata territory, the "Opatería" in Spanish, encompasses the mountainous northeast and central part of the state of Sonora, extending to near the border with the United States. Historically, they included several subtribes, including the Eudeve, Teguima, and Jova peoples.
Most Opatan towns were situated in river valleys and had an economy based on irrigated agriculture.[2] They spoke the Opata language, a Uto-Aztecan language, that is now extinct.[3]
In the 16th century, at the time of Spanish contact, the Opata were the most numerous people in Sonora.[2]
Some sources indicate that as an identifiable ethnic group, the Opata are now extinct, or nearly extinct.[4] Today, some people identify as Opatas.[5][better source needed][6][better source needed]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
spicer93was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Yetman, David A. (2010). The Opatas: In Search of a Sonoran People. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 9780816528974. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
- ^ Edward H. Spicer, Cycles of Conquest, p. 446–47.
- ^ Yetman, David A. (2010). The Ópatas: In Search of a Sonoran People. Tucson, Arizona: University of Arizona Press. ISBN 978-0816528974.
- ^ Global Spark, "Nicole Yanes, Opata Nation" 2015.
- ^ "The 3rd International Indigenous Women's Symposium on Environmental and Reproductive Health" April 14–15, 2018