
Surrounded by mountains and the enormous Lake Chapala, Ajijic is one of the Magical Towns located in the state of Jalisco, which is just 40 minutes from the city of Guadalajara, so its proximity to the capital of Jalisco makes it one of the favorite places for both locals and foreigners.
Likewise, something for which Ajijic is known is for the sayacos, which have a great history that has been passed down from generation to generation, becoming a personal brand for this Magical Town.
What are the sayacos of Ajijic?
History tells us that prior to the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico, three children were born in the region that is now known as Ajijic, two of which were twins, however, they suffered from a medical condition that made them salivate for a long time in a row, so the natives of the area decided to name them “xayacátl”, which would be translated as “mask or face that produces water.”
Moments later, her sister Tzicanzi was born, which in Nahuatl means “person who observes nature.” She was recognized as a very intelligent, sweet and beautiful young woman. However, her mother died during childbirth, a fate that also shared her father.
Therefore, the infants were raised by people from Tomatlán. Once the Spanish arrived in the area, the twins died and Tzicanzi reached old age, who continued to be loved by the locals since she used to cure illnesses. The masks were created by the inhabitants as a way to remember them, since their pranks were part of the daily life of the locals.
Source: aztecajalisco