Huejutla de Reyes
Huejutla de Reyes is a city and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico. The name comes from the Nahuatl huexotl and tlan, while "de Reyes" commemorates local cobbler Antonio Reyes Cabrera who died defending Huejutla from Second [French intervention in Mexico|French invaders] in 1866.
The municipality covers an area of 377.8 km2 in the northeast of Hidalgo, in the Huasteca region, on the border with the state of Veracruz. As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 115,786. but only 36,305 live in the metropolitan area, whereas the remaining population live in various small communities. Around 73,200 people speak Indigenous [languages of Mexico|indigenous languages], primarily Huasteca Nahuatl.
It has been called "the Heart of La Huasteca".
History
Some aspects of the prehispanic history of the town are documented in the relacion of Uexutla. For instance, according to this document, the last pagan ruler of Huejutla was named Cocotecuhtli and was believed to control the rain and the fertility of the earth. The cult of Tezcatlipoca had a particular importance here, and child sacrifice and bloodletting were practiced. Priests were painted black and served for year-long terms, and during this time were not allowed to bathe or have sexual relations with their wives.Prehispanic Huejutla was agriculturally productive and a significant center for regional trade, with goods such as salt coming from as far as Campeche. It ruled over at least twelve lesser settlements, extending for a radius of 20 to 30 Spanish leagues. Although it was primarily inhabited by ethnic Nahuas, Tepehuas were also found in the area. At some point, perhaps during the reign of Moctezuma II, it was conquered by the Aztec Empire. However, according to Fray Juan de Torquemada, it was conquered earlier and the population rebelled by assaulting Aztec officials and refused to deliver the tribute, forcing Ahuitzotl to reconquer the area.