El Rosario, Sinaloa — In a landmark ceremony marking the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, the Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas (INPI) officially certified the communities of Maloya, Matatán, San Marcos Otatitán, and Santa María as Indigenous peoples. The recognition was formally presented on August 9, 2025, during an event at the Lola Beltrán Museum, with municipal authorities, state representatives, and community leaders in attendance.
Mayor Claudia Liliana Valdez Aguilar spearheaded the initiative, working in concert with residents and government agencies over several months to secure the designation. The certification not only validates their cultural and historical identity, it also ensures eligibility for targeted social programs, infrastructure investment, and cultural preservation projects.
Municipal secretary Ignacia Mailen Delgado Rendón described the recognition as a moment that “preserves years of tradition, heritage, and historical legacy” and represents a significant step toward ensuring access to justice and political representation for Indigenous peoples in the region. Community leader Jesús Manuel Huizar Ibarra, president of the Comisariado of Matatán, called it “a milestone that will be remembered by both present and future generations,” underscoring the pride felt across the four communities.
Why This Certification Matters
The certification grants these communities formal inclusion in Mexico’s federal Indigenous policy framework. This recognition means their identity is not only acknowledged but also protected under the law. It can open doors to funding under programs like the Fondo de Aportaciones para la Infraestructura Social, which supports local projects ranging from road paving and clean water systems to cultural centers and community workshops. It also strengthens cultural resilience in a state where Indigenous identity has often been overshadowed by urban and agricultural expansion. For residents, it is a validation of long-held traditions and an opportunity to protect their heritage for generations to come.
The Four Communities and Their Heritage
Maloya
Maloya sits in a fertile valley near the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental, a location that has historically supported agriculture and trade. Oral histories trace the community’s roots to pre-colonial settlements tied to regional trade routes that linked coastal peoples with the mountain communities. Residents still observe traditional planting festivals and maintain artisanal crafts, particularly in pottery and woven textiles. Although Spanish influence brought ranching and Catholic religious traditions, Maloya retained many Indigenous customs in its agricultural calendar and foodways.
Matatán
Matatán is one of Rosario’s oldest continuously inhabited communities, with archaeological evidence suggesting habitation long before Spanish arrival. Known historically for its communal irrigation systems, the town developed a distinctive agricultural economy centered on maize, beans, and tropical fruits. Cultural memory in Matatán is preserved through music, with local ensembles incorporating Indigenous rhythms and instruments into celebrations. The recent certification reaffirms Matatán’s status as a cultural guardian in the region, ensuring younger generations inherit its oral traditions and ceremonial practices.
San Marcos Otatitán
San Marcos Otatitán occupies a strategic position near historic river crossings, which for centuries served as both economic and cultural exchange points. The community’s name reflects its dual heritage—Catholic saints introduced during colonization alongside Indigenous toponyms. Residents have preserved agricultural techniques adapted to the flood cycles of the nearby river, and many still rely on collective decision-making assemblies, a hallmark of Indigenous governance. This form of local self-organization was a key factor in the INPI’s decision to grant official recognition.
Santa María
Santa María lies at the edge of Rosario’s agricultural belt, where hilly terrain meets lowland fields. Historically, it functioned as a link between the coastal trade of southern Sinaloa and the inland farming communities. Families here have maintained traditional food preparation methods, including stone-ground maize for tortillas and tamales, as well as ritual dances tied to the agricultural season. Santa María’s recognition is also significant because it helps preserve local dialects and vocabulary, elements that were at risk of disappearing due to decades of cultural assimilation pressures.
Broader Context: Indigenous Identity in Sinaloa
Sinaloa’s Indigenous heritage is complex. Today, the Mayos (Yoremes) are the only group officially considered native to the state before the Spanish conquest. Other communities, like the four in Rosario, have deep Indigenous roots but often had to assert their identity through historical research, cultural continuity, and community organization. This process reflects broader trends across Mexico, where many communities seek legal recognition to protect their heritage from the erasure that can come with modernization.
With official status secured, these communities are poised to shape their own development path. They can now access federal and state investment for infrastructure, healthcare, and education tailored to their needs. Cultural preservation projects, such as language revitalization programs and Indigenous-run community radio, could soon follow. The recognition also strengthens their political voice, enabling greater participation in decisions affecting their lands and traditions. For many residents, this moment is not just about resources or legal standing—it is a public affirmation that their culture, history, and way of life remain vital parts of Sinaloa’s future.