Noch-tlan: Noch (tli): Place of prickly pears, Noch-ez-tlán: Noch (tli) -ez-tli) -Tlan: Place of grains. Nochistlán (27,945 inhabitants in 2020): Place of prickly pears or grains. Regarding the extension of the name with the surname of “Mejía”, it is in recognition of hero Colonel J. Jesús Mejía defender of this square in the attack that the French made on May 13, 1864.

Nochistlán de Mejía, Zacatecas, México, also known as “La Primera Guadalajara”, land of the caxcan warriors, was part of what was once the kingdom of “La Nueva Galicia” after the Spanish conquest. 

Before being transferred to the Atemajac Valley (its penultimate location), the city of Guadalajara was founded in this place for the first time in 1532. It is considered the second oldest municipal seat in the state of Zacatecas behind García de la Cadena.

The city of Nochistlán has always been characterized by its architecture and culture. It was declared a “Pueblo Mágico” on November 26, 2012, by the Secretaría de Turismo (Ministry of Tourism), for its traditions, customs, legends and architecture.

On May 13, 2015 it is named Heroic City, commemorating the heroes who fought against the French during the French intervention.

Nochistlán stands out for its traditions and way of life, which have been preserved over the years. It has throughout the year different secular-religious festivals that are celebrated and in which most of the inhabitants still participate. Among the most important are:

JANUARY

• Entrance of the Firewood, January 1.
• Festivities of San Sebastián, January 12 to 20, celebrating the “Papaquis”.
• Coleaderas (Rodeos) in the communities of Capellanía, El Molino, Los Sandovales, Monte de Yáñez, Las Huertas, Cerro Grande, Las Guias and La Jabonera.

FEBRUARY

• Coleaderas (Rodeos) in the community of Las Animas.

MAY

• Heroic Commemoration, May 15, celebrating the resistance of the population against the French army in 1864.

JUNE

• Make music day, June 21.

JULY

• Hijo Ausente (nochistlenses living outside of Nochistlán), last Sunday of July.

SEPTEMBER

• Mexican Independence, September 15.

OCTOBER

• Festivities of San Francisco de Asís, September 26 to October 4.
• Pilgrimage (Virgen del Rosario carried to the Toyahua Shrine), first Saturday of October.
• Fiestas de Octubre, (City Fair). The fair starts on the third Saturday in October and lasts 3 weekends.

NOVEMBER

• Coleaderas (Rodeos) in the communities of Arroyo Colorado and Mesa de Frias.
• Celebration of Santa Cecilia on November 21.

DECEMBER

• Festivities in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, December 12 to 19.
• Coleaderas (Rodeos) in the communities of Mirasoles, Colonia San Miguel, El Sitio, La Estancia, Tlachichila, El Tuiche, Vallecitos and La Labor.
• Migrant’s Day, December 28.

GASTRONOMY:

• Aguas frescas (alfalfa, pingüica, pepino, frutas de temporada, etc.)
• Birria de res y de chivo
• Camote cocido y endulzado
• Carne del Sitio (carne seca)
• Carne de puerco con chile y huaches
• Cenadurías, tacos dorados, sopes, tostadas, tamales, enchiladas, etc.
• Churros
• Dulces típicos (bisnaga, camote, calabaza, alfajor, garapiñados, cocadas, etc.)
• Elotes cocidos de temporada
• Fruta picada de temporada
• Gorditas de Polvo (galletas de maíz negro)
• Gorditas de masa de maíz, rellenas o doradas en manteca o aceite
• María Gorda (pudin de maíz negro)
• Menudo de res
• Nieves, helados y paletas
• Nopales, en ensalada, en mole, con carne, como guarnición, etc.
• Pan dulce
• Picadillo (carne de res deshebrada en caldo)
• Pollo a la Valentina (pollo en salsa de tomate)
• Pinole (maíz molido endulzado)
• Ponte Duro (maíz negro tostado y endulzado)
• Pozole Blanco de maíz negro
• Puestos de tacos, asada, pastor, costilla, lengua, etc.
• Quesos frescos caseros
• Quelites, en sopa o caldo o como guarnición y otras combinaciones
• Raspados únicos en la región, de guayaba, tamarindo, coco, vainilla, revuelto, etc.
• Salsa brava, de chile Yahualica
• Semillas de calabaza dorada y polainas
• Tacasotas (pan o galleta de maíz)
• Tunas, pitayas
• Tejuino (bebida de maíz, receta ancestral artesanal única)
• Verdolagas, en sopa o caldo, o como guarnición, y otras combinaciones

A FEW FAMOUS NOCHISTLENSES:

• Tenamaztle: Caudillo caxcán, indigenous leader of the caxcán rebellion known as the Mixtón War (1541). Recognized as one of the first defenders of human rights.
• Daniel Camarena: Insurgent in the war of Independence.
• Colonel J. Jesús Mejía: Hero of the defense of Nochistlán against the French invasion
  (May 13, 1864).
• Juan Álvarez: Defender of the people of Nochistlán during the French invasion (May 13, 1864).
• Leocadio González: Defender of the people of Nochistlán during the French invasion
  (May 13, 1864).
• Esperanza Quezada Ruiz: Distinguished academic and talented soprano singer.
• Ernesto Juárez: Notable actor and composer, lawyer and politician, author of the story telling song “Juana Gallo”.
• Clotilde Evelia Quirarte Ruiz:
• José Minero Roque: Governor of the state of Zacatecas and benefactor of Nochistlán
  (1950-1956).
• Pedro Aguayo Damián: Better known as El Perro Aguayo, famous Mexican wrestler of the 70s and 80s, and one of the founding members of AAA.
• José Teódulo Ruiz Vélez: Better known as «Pepé» Ruiz Vélez, famous national broadcaster, mainly of charrería from the 40s, 50s and 60s, who also participated in a large number of films.

A FEW IMPORTANT DATES:

• 1530, April 1: Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán arrives in Nochistlán
• 1532, January 5: Foundation of the Villa de Guadalajara in Nochistlán by Juan de Oñate
• 1541: War of the Mixtón
• 1810, October 8: Second cry of Independence by Daniel Camarena
• 1825: Nochistlán becomes a municipality.
• 1864, May 13: The Nochistlenses defend their town from the French invaders
• 1982, January 5: Inauguration of the Public Library “La Primera Guadalajara” for the 450 anniversary of the founding of the Villa de Guadalajara in Nochistlán
• 2012, November 26: Appointment of Nochistlán as “Magic Town”
• 2015, May 13: Appointment of Nochistlán as a Heroic City

More information:

http://nochistlan.gob.mx

http://www.inafed.gob.mx/work/enciclopedia/EMM32zacatecas/municipios/32034a.html