Cocula
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| Latitude | 20°23' N | |
| Longitude | 103°49'W | |
| Altitude | 1,350 m | |
| Municipal president | Antonio Vázquez Medina | |
| Population | 26,460 (municipality) ; 13,230 (town) | |
| Time zone (UTC) | -6 UTC CST | |
es:Cocula it:Cocula Cocula is a municipality and town in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It is located 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Guadalajara, on Mexico Highway 80 (20°23'N 103°49'W). Elevation: 4,460 ft/1,350 m. According to the 2000 census, the population of the municipality was 26,460 with around half of them living in the town.
Cocula is sometimes referred to as "La Cuna del Mariachi", or the "Cradle of Mariachi" given that it is believed that mariachi bands and music originated there.
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[edit] Economy
Cocula is a growing area for sugar cane, corn, agave, sorghum, chickpeas, alfalfa and mangoes. Some livestock are also raised, especially pigs, poultry, goats, and cattle.
[edit] History
Cocula was called originally Cocollán or Cocolán, which has been interpreted to mean "ondulated place." Around the 12th century, some families of the Coca tribe who inhabited the Kingdom of Tonalá were forced to flee the area due to hostility towards them. A group guided by Huehuetztlatzin founded Cocollán in today's Acatlan de Juarez area.
Cocollán was destroyed towards the end of the 16th century. They tried to establish themselves in the Tlajomulco area a few miles from there but were expelled by the local tribes. They ended up occupying the top of a mountain close to the original Cocollán site were they remained until the arrival of the Spaniards.
By 1520, Cocollán was an independent city under the rule of Chief Citlali (The Star). It had some tributary towns under its control like Acatlan, Villa Corona, Tizapanito, Xilotepetque and Tecolotlán. In 1521, the Spanish army under Alonso the Avalos conquered Cocollán and surrounding towns and incorporated them into the Avalos Province. A few years later, Franciscan monks persuaded the indigenous inhabitants of the city to relocate to a valley nearby, which is its present location. This is believe to have happened in 1532. There are still remains of the old city, which is referred to as Cocula Vieja (Old Cocula).
[edit] Culture
Mariachi music is believed to have originated in Cocula during the 19th century, and many well known groups have come from here and surrounding areas.
