August 16, 2025 • 15 mins
This indigenous leader continues to inspire people in the Mexican state of Colima 5 centuries later.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Welcome to Mexico Unexplained, where we will explore the magic,
the mysteries, and the miracles of Mexico. This series presents
information based partly on theory and conjecture. The podcaster's purpose
is to suggest some possible explanation, but not necessarily the
only ones to the subjects we will examine. Here is
your host, Robert Bitto.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Welcome and Muibian benitos to episode number four hundred and
twenty of Mexico Unexplained, where we examine the magic, the
mysteries and the miracles of Mexico. I'm your host, Robert Bitto.
In the lush valleys and volcanic landscapes of what is
now the Mexican state of Colima, a figure looms large
(00:54):
in both history and legend. Colimautl, also known as Ray
Colimann or Tsome revered as a symbol of resistance and
cultural pride. Colimodel is celebrated as the last leader of
the tecos An indigenous people who inhabited the Signurio de
Koliman before the Spanish conquest. His story, a blend of
(01:18):
myth and potential historical truth, captures the spirit of indigenous
defiance against overwhelming odds, while the scarcity of primary sources
fuels debate about his existence. Colemotel's legacy as a cultural
icon endures, immortalized in statues, oral traditions, and the collective
(01:40):
identity of Colima's people. In this episode of Mexico and Explained,
we will explore the life, battles, and enduring significance of Colamodel,
examining the interplay between historical evidence and the mythic aura
that surrounds him. To understand Kolimotl, we must first take
(02:00):
a look at the world he inhabited. The Senorio de Coloman,
centered in the fertile Vai de Tecoman, with its capital
at Caxitlan, was a vibrant indigenous polity in pre Columbian
western Mexico. The Tecos, also referred to as Colimus or Colemechas,
(02:21):
where a Nahwatle speaking people whose cultures shared linguistic and
cultural ties with the Aztecs, though their society was distinct.
Their territory, nestled between the Pacific coast and the volcanic
peaks of the Jeneo Volcanico, was rich in resources like
Saltpeter gold and copper, making it a target for neighboring
(02:43):
powers such as the Tarascan or poor Recha Empire and
later the Spanish conquistadors. The name Colima itself derives from Nawatle,
with Cali meaning mountain, volcano, or grandfather, and metal meaning domain,
translating to place conquered by our grandfathers, or perhaps the
(03:07):
place dominated by the fire god. Local tradition suggests the
name may also stem from Colamodel himself, a warrior king
who governed these lands. At the time of Spanish contact.
The Teco society was sophisticated, with a hierarchical structure, led
by a uaitlatuani or a great ruler, a council of nobles,
(03:31):
and a powerful priesthood. Unlike hereditary monarchies, the huait latuani
was often elected, sometimes a nephew of the previous ruler,
reflecting a complex political system. Colimotl's era was one of turmoil.
In the early fifteen hundreds, the tarasca And Empire, based
(03:51):
in neighbouring Michoacan, sought to expand its influence into Kolima,
particularly to access its saltpeter refinery, a critical resource for gunpowder.
Around the fourteen sixties, under the Tarascan ruler Sizych Pandaquare,
the Tekos faced invasions aimed at securing these resources. Kolimot,
(04:15):
known then as Zome, emerged as a formidable leader during
this period, reportedly defeating the Tarascans in what historians call
the Saltpeter War at Zacoalco. This victory not only repelled
the invaders, but also expanded Teco influence into neighboring regions
(04:35):
like Sayula, Zapotlan, and Amula, which is now part of
the Mexican state of Jalisco. The arrival of the Spanish
in the early fifteen twenties marked a turning point for
kola Model and the Tecos. Following the fall of tenotch
Titlan in fifteen twenty one in the subjugation of the
Tarascans in fifteen twenty two, Spanish conquistadors turned their attention
(05:00):
to Colima Hernan Cortes, who dubbed the Techo leader Rey
Koliman sent expeditions to conquer the region. The first, led
by Juan Rodriguez de Villa Fuerte in fifteen twenty two,
was met with fierce resistance, Colemotal's forces defeated the Spanish
and their Tarascan allies in battles at Trojes and Tekoman,
(05:25):
showcasing his strategic prowess. These victories, though temporary, cemented Colemotal's
reputation as a defender of his people. In fifteen twenty three,
Cortes dispatched Gonzalo de Sandoval, a seasoned conquistador, to subdue Colima.
This campaign proved decisive In the Battle of Alima, near
(05:48):
modern day Techomann, Colimotl's forces were overwhelmed by the Spanish,
who wielded superior weaponry and cavalry. Colemotal is believed to
have died in this battle, though some accounts suggest he
and his nobles retreated to a stronghold near the Colima Volcano,
where they either perished in a siege or, according to legend,
(06:11):
threw themselves into the volcano to avoid capture. The Spanish
established Sans Sebastian de Colima in fifteen twenty three near Coxitlon,
marking the beginning of colonial rule. The indigenous population faced
devastating losses due to warfare, disease, and the encomienda system.
(06:33):
Which subjected them to forced labour. By fifteen fifty four,
Colima's native population had plummeted from an estimated one hundred
fifty thousand to fifteen thousand, a tragic testament to the
conquest's told. Despite this, Colimodel's resistance left an indelible mark,
(06:54):
transforming him into a symbol of indigenous valor. The question
of weather cola Model was a real historical figure or
a mythic construct remains contentious. The primary sources mentioning him
are sparse and written long after the events. Ernan Cortes
Letters of Relation of fifteen twenty two, briefly referred to
(07:17):
as seignor dominating the Colima coast, likely Colomat who blocked
the Tarascon Empire's access to the sea. Fry Antonio Teo's
Chronica Misslania de la Santa Provincia de Jalisco, written in
sixteen fifty two, and fry Antonio frejres Memorial Historica de
(07:38):
la Conquista de Jalisco, written sometime around eighteen hundred, provide
more detailed accounts, describing Colamodel as a famous king who
fought the Spanish. However, these sources written decades or centuries later,
rely on oral traditions and lack corroborating contemporary documents. Critics
(07:59):
argue that Hello, a Franciscan chronicler, may have embellished stories
to glorify indigenous resistance, a common practice among those who
documented life in the early years of colonial Mexico. The
absence of preconquest records, as the Techos lacked a written script,
(08:19):
further complicates verification. Some historians suggest Columaut may represent a
composite of multiple Teco leaders, with his story amplified over
time to inspire local native pride. Others propose he really
could have been a woman, as some oral traditions hint
at a strong female leader defeating the Spanish, a notion
(08:43):
that unsettled colonial chroniclers. Was this female warrior's history erased
and recrafted by the victors, or is the notion that
he could have really been female a product of the
twenty first century leftist academic historical revisionism. Supporters of Colimotl's
(09:04):
historicity point to the consistency of oral traditions preserved by
the Tecos and later recorded by Franciscans such as Fra
Geronimo de al Calaz Relacion de Micho, a kan written
between fifteen thirty nine and fifteen forty one, which mentions
Senores de Colima. The specificity of battles like Trojes and Alima,
(09:29):
combined with Kortees's reference to a powerful local leader, lends
credence to the idea that a figure like Colemote existed,
even if details were later romanticized and embellished. Regardless of
historical debates, Coleimodel's cultural significance is undeniable. In nineteen fifty five,
(09:50):
under Governor Gonzales Lugo, a monumental statue of kolemotl was
erected at the entrance to Colima City. Designed by renowned
sculp Juan f olaguebel Standing well over twenty feet tall,
the statue depicts a defiant warrior holding a shield in
lance symbolizing indigenous resistance. The pedestal features reliefs of pre
(10:15):
Columbian life and inscriptions that read more powerful than your history.
Your legend is both destiny and privilege, and Koalima exalts
here the virtues of your lineage as a definition of patriotism.
These phrases reflect the blend of myth and civic pride
surrounding Kolomote. A nineteen ninety survey revealed that over eighty
(10:40):
percent of Koleima's residents identified Coleimotel as a key cultural symbol,
surpassing other regional icons. His image graces public spaces, schools,
and festivals, notably during diadel Indigna celebrations. The twenty eleven
documentary Hombred the Piedra further elevated his profile, winning awards
(11:04):
for its exploration of Colimotl's story as a pre Columbian hero.
Colimotl's legacy extends beyond Colima. His story resonates with broader
narratives of indigenous resistance across Mexico and into the United States,
paralleling figures like Quotemac or quite Lawac. His defiance against
(11:27):
both the Tarascan Empire and Spanish forces underscores the TECO's
fierce independence, while cola Model's ambiguous historicity mirrors the challenges
of reconstructing pre Columbian narratives in the absence of written records. Today,
Colimodel serves as a touchstone for Coleima's identity, embodying resilience
(11:51):
and cultural continuity across the centuries. His story is taught
in schools, fostering pride in indigenous heritage amid Mexico's complex
Mestizo identity. The statue in Kalima City gazing toward the
sea symbolizes vigilance over the land the Tecos once ruled.
(12:12):
Yet the romanticization of Kolimot raises questions about how history
is constructed. The lack of definitive evidence invites reflection on
whether his legend serves more as a unifying myth than
a verifiable biography. The debate over Cola Model's existence also
(12:33):
highlights broader issues in Mexican historiography. Colonial records, often written
by conquerors, marginalized indigenous perspectives, leaving gaps that oral traditions
and later chroniclers attempted to fill. Cola Model's story, whether
wholly factual or partly mythic, fills such a gap, offering
(12:55):
Kalima a hero who resisted the erasure of his people's cultulture.
Colimatal or Ray Coliman, remains an enigmatic figure whose story
blends historical fragments with a kind of mythical grandeur. As
the huait Latuani of the Tecos. He led his people
through pivotal conflicts, from the Saltpeter War against the Tarascan
(13:20):
Empire to the desperate stand against Spanish imperial expansion. While
his existence is debated, the consistency of oral traditions and
sparse colonial references suggest a kernel of truth behind the legend.
His victories in two key battles and his ultimate defeat
at Alima paint a portrait of a leader who fought
(13:43):
against overwhelming odds to protect his people. In modern day Colima,
the Ray Coleman is more than a historical figure. He
is a symbol of resistance, identity, and pride. His statue, inscriptions,
and cultural prominence reflect a color cotive desire to honor
indigenous roots in the face of colonial and postmodern legacies.
(14:06):
Whether he was a single warrior king or a composite
of Techo leaders, cole Imodel's story resonates as a testament
to the enduring spirit of Mexico's native peoples. As Coleema
continues to grapple with its past and present, Collimodel stands
as a reminder of the courage and resilience that define
(14:27):
its heritage. Thank you once again for listening to another
episode of Mexican Explained. Remember to like and subscribe to
us on YouTube and follow us on ax and TikTok.
Tell your friends by sharing these shows with others. Please
go to our website Mexican explain dot com for references, illustrations,
and for free access to transcripts of past shows. Please
(14:49):
visit Amazon dot com to purchase the books Mexican Explained,
Mexican Monsters and Mexican Miracles to get hard copies of
the Magic, the Mysteries and the Miracle of Mexico. We
appreciate your kind attention. Once again, until next time, Thank you,
eh graciers.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Thank you for listening to another episode of Mexico Unexplained
with host Robert Bitto. For show summary, relevant links and commentary.
Please check out our website at Mexicoanexplained dot com, Like
us on Facebook and be a part of the conversation.
Addie arsant haste la vista.
Welcome to Mexico Unexplained, where we will explore the magic,
the mysteries, and the miracles of Mexico. This series presents
information based partly on theory and conjecture. The podcaster's purpose
is to suggest some possible explanation, but not necessarily the
only ones to the subjects we will examine. Here is
your host, Robert Bitto.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Welcome and Muibian benitos to episode number four hundred and
twenty of Mexico Unexplained, where we examine the magic, the
mysteries and the miracles of Mexico. I'm your host, Robert Bitto.
In the lush valleys and volcanic landscapes of what is
now the Mexican state of Colima, a figure looms large
(00:54):
in both history and legend. Colimautl, also known as Ray
Colimann or Tsome revered as a symbol of resistance and
cultural pride. Colimodel is celebrated as the last leader of
the tecos An indigenous people who inhabited the Signurio de
Koliman before the Spanish conquest. His story, a blend of
(01:18):
myth and potential historical truth, captures the spirit of indigenous
defiance against overwhelming odds, while the scarcity of primary sources
fuels debate about his existence. Colemotel's legacy as a cultural
icon endures, immortalized in statues, oral traditions, and the collective
(01:40):
identity of Colima's people. In this episode of Mexico and Explained,
we will explore the life, battles, and enduring significance of Colamodel,
examining the interplay between historical evidence and the mythic aura
that surrounds him. To understand Kolimotl, we must first take
(02:00):
a look at the world he inhabited. The Senorio de Coloman,
centered in the fertile Vai de Tecoman, with its capital
at Caxitlan, was a vibrant indigenous polity in pre Columbian
western Mexico. The Tecos, also referred to as Colimus or Colemechas,
(02:21):
where a Nahwatle speaking people whose cultures shared linguistic and
cultural ties with the Aztecs, though their society was distinct.
Their territory, nestled between the Pacific coast and the volcanic
peaks of the Jeneo Volcanico, was rich in resources like
Saltpeter gold and copper, making it a target for neighboring
(02:43):
powers such as the Tarascan or poor Recha Empire and
later the Spanish conquistadors. The name Colima itself derives from Nawatle,
with Cali meaning mountain, volcano, or grandfather, and metal meaning domain,
translating to place conquered by our grandfathers, or perhaps the
(03:07):
place dominated by the fire god. Local tradition suggests the
name may also stem from Colamodel himself, a warrior king
who governed these lands. At the time of Spanish contact.
The Teco society was sophisticated, with a hierarchical structure, led
by a uaitlatuani or a great ruler, a council of nobles,
(03:31):
and a powerful priesthood. Unlike hereditary monarchies, the huait latuani
was often elected, sometimes a nephew of the previous ruler,
reflecting a complex political system. Colimotl's era was one of turmoil.
In the early fifteen hundreds, the tarasca And Empire, based
(03:51):
in neighbouring Michoacan, sought to expand its influence into Kolima,
particularly to access its saltpeter refinery, a critical resource for gunpowder.
Around the fourteen sixties, under the Tarascan ruler Sizych Pandaquare,
the Tekos faced invasions aimed at securing these resources. Kolimot,
(04:15):
known then as Zome, emerged as a formidable leader during
this period, reportedly defeating the Tarascans in what historians call
the Saltpeter War at Zacoalco. This victory not only repelled
the invaders, but also expanded Teco influence into neighboring regions
(04:35):
like Sayula, Zapotlan, and Amula, which is now part of
the Mexican state of Jalisco. The arrival of the Spanish
in the early fifteen twenties marked a turning point for
kola Model and the Tecos. Following the fall of tenotch
Titlan in fifteen twenty one in the subjugation of the
Tarascans in fifteen twenty two, Spanish conquistadors turned their attention
(05:00):
to Colima Hernan Cortes, who dubbed the Techo leader Rey
Koliman sent expeditions to conquer the region. The first, led
by Juan Rodriguez de Villa Fuerte in fifteen twenty two,
was met with fierce resistance, Colemotal's forces defeated the Spanish
and their Tarascan allies in battles at Trojes and Tekoman,
(05:25):
showcasing his strategic prowess. These victories, though temporary, cemented Colemotal's
reputation as a defender of his people. In fifteen twenty three,
Cortes dispatched Gonzalo de Sandoval, a seasoned conquistador, to subdue Colima.
This campaign proved decisive In the Battle of Alima, near
(05:48):
modern day Techomann, Colimotl's forces were overwhelmed by the Spanish,
who wielded superior weaponry and cavalry. Colemotal is believed to
have died in this battle, though some accounts suggest he
and his nobles retreated to a stronghold near the Colima Volcano,
where they either perished in a siege or, according to legend,
(06:11):
threw themselves into the volcano to avoid capture. The Spanish
established Sans Sebastian de Colima in fifteen twenty three near Coxitlon,
marking the beginning of colonial rule. The indigenous population faced
devastating losses due to warfare, disease, and the encomienda system.
(06:33):
Which subjected them to forced labour. By fifteen fifty four,
Colima's native population had plummeted from an estimated one hundred
fifty thousand to fifteen thousand, a tragic testament to the
conquest's told. Despite this, Colimodel's resistance left an indelible mark,
(06:54):
transforming him into a symbol of indigenous valor. The question
of weather cola Model was a real historical figure or
a mythic construct remains contentious. The primary sources mentioning him
are sparse and written long after the events. Ernan Cortes
Letters of Relation of fifteen twenty two, briefly referred to
(07:17):
as seignor dominating the Colima coast, likely Colomat who blocked
the Tarascon Empire's access to the sea. Fry Antonio Teo's
Chronica Misslania de la Santa Provincia de Jalisco, written in
sixteen fifty two, and fry Antonio frejres Memorial Historica de
(07:38):
la Conquista de Jalisco, written sometime around eighteen hundred, provide
more detailed accounts, describing Colamodel as a famous king who
fought the Spanish. However, these sources written decades or centuries later,
rely on oral traditions and lack corroborating contemporary documents. Critics
(07:59):
argue that Hello, a Franciscan chronicler, may have embellished stories
to glorify indigenous resistance, a common practice among those who
documented life in the early years of colonial Mexico. The
absence of preconquest records, as the Techos lacked a written script,
(08:19):
further complicates verification. Some historians suggest Columaut may represent a
composite of multiple Teco leaders, with his story amplified over
time to inspire local native pride. Others propose he really
could have been a woman, as some oral traditions hint
at a strong female leader defeating the Spanish, a notion
(08:43):
that unsettled colonial chroniclers. Was this female warrior's history erased
and recrafted by the victors, or is the notion that
he could have really been female a product of the
twenty first century leftist academic historical revisionism. Supporters of Colimotl's
(09:04):
historicity point to the consistency of oral traditions preserved by
the Tecos and later recorded by Franciscans such as Fra
Geronimo de al Calaz Relacion de Micho, a kan written
between fifteen thirty nine and fifteen forty one, which mentions
Senores de Colima. The specificity of battles like Trojes and Alima,
(09:29):
combined with Kortees's reference to a powerful local leader, lends
credence to the idea that a figure like Colemote existed,
even if details were later romanticized and embellished. Regardless of
historical debates, Coleimodel's cultural significance is undeniable. In nineteen fifty five,
(09:50):
under Governor Gonzales Lugo, a monumental statue of kolemotl was
erected at the entrance to Colima City. Designed by renowned
sculp Juan f olaguebel Standing well over twenty feet tall,
the statue depicts a defiant warrior holding a shield in
lance symbolizing indigenous resistance. The pedestal features reliefs of pre
(10:15):
Columbian life and inscriptions that read more powerful than your history.
Your legend is both destiny and privilege, and Koalima exalts
here the virtues of your lineage as a definition of patriotism.
These phrases reflect the blend of myth and civic pride
surrounding Kolomote. A nineteen ninety survey revealed that over eighty
(10:40):
percent of Koleima's residents identified Coleimotel as a key cultural symbol,
surpassing other regional icons. His image graces public spaces, schools,
and festivals, notably during diadel Indigna celebrations. The twenty eleven
documentary Hombred the Piedra further elevated his profile, winning awards
(11:04):
for its exploration of Colimotl's story as a pre Columbian hero.
Colimotl's legacy extends beyond Colima. His story resonates with broader
narratives of indigenous resistance across Mexico and into the United States,
paralleling figures like Quotemac or quite Lawac. His defiance against
(11:27):
both the Tarascan Empire and Spanish forces underscores the TECO's
fierce independence, while cola Model's ambiguous historicity mirrors the challenges
of reconstructing pre Columbian narratives in the absence of written records. Today,
Colimodel serves as a touchstone for Coleima's identity, embodying resilience
(11:51):
and cultural continuity across the centuries. His story is taught
in schools, fostering pride in indigenous heritage amid Mexico's complex
Mestizo identity. The statue in Kalima City gazing toward the
sea symbolizes vigilance over the land the Tecos once ruled.
(12:12):
Yet the romanticization of Kolimot raises questions about how history
is constructed. The lack of definitive evidence invites reflection on
whether his legend serves more as a unifying myth than
a verifiable biography. The debate over Cola Model's existence also
(12:33):
highlights broader issues in Mexican historiography. Colonial records, often written
by conquerors, marginalized indigenous perspectives, leaving gaps that oral traditions
and later chroniclers attempted to fill. Cola Model's story, whether
wholly factual or partly mythic, fills such a gap, offering
(12:55):
Kalima a hero who resisted the erasure of his people's cultulture.
Colimatal or Ray Coliman, remains an enigmatic figure whose story
blends historical fragments with a kind of mythical grandeur. As
the huait Latuani of the Tecos. He led his people
through pivotal conflicts, from the Saltpeter War against the Tarascan
(13:20):
Empire to the desperate stand against Spanish imperial expansion. While
his existence is debated, the consistency of oral traditions and
sparse colonial references suggest a kernel of truth behind the legend.
His victories in two key battles and his ultimate defeat
at Alima paint a portrait of a leader who fought
(13:43):
against overwhelming odds to protect his people. In modern day Colima,
the Ray Coleman is more than a historical figure. He
is a symbol of resistance, identity, and pride. His statue, inscriptions,
and cultural prominence reflect a color cotive desire to honor
indigenous roots in the face of colonial and postmodern legacies.
(14:06):
Whether he was a single warrior king or a composite
of Techo leaders, cole Imodel's story resonates as a testament
to the enduring spirit of Mexico's native peoples. As Coleema
continues to grapple with its past and present, Collimodel stands
as a reminder of the courage and resilience that define
(14:27):
its heritage. Thank you once again for listening to another
episode of Mexican Explained. Remember to like and subscribe to
us on YouTube and follow us on ax and TikTok.
Tell your friends by sharing these shows with others. Please
go to our website Mexican explain dot com for references, illustrations,
and for free access to transcripts of past shows. Please
(14:49):
visit Amazon dot com to purchase the books Mexican Explained,
Mexican Monsters and Mexican Miracles to get hard copies of
the Magic, the Mysteries and the Miracle of Mexico. We
appreciate your kind attention. Once again, until next time, Thank you,
eh graciers.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Thank you for listening to another episode of Mexico Unexplained
with host Robert Bitto. For show summary, relevant links and commentary.
Please check out our website at Mexicoanexplained dot com, Like
us on Facebook and be a part of the conversation.
Addie arsant haste la vista.
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