TARASCO, ta-riis/k(). An ancient nation of Michoacan. Mexico, constituting a distinct lin guistic stock. According to their traditions they migrated from the north about the same time as the Aztec tribes (see NAV IJA TLAN STOCK ) , and about the year 1200 established their kingdom in Michoacan, maintaining their independence against the Aztec, whom they ex celled in many culture characteristics. Their principal buildings, especially in their capital city of Tzintzuntzan, were of cut stone laid in mortar. Many of the ruins are still unexplored. Their calendar was nearly the same as that of the Aztec, and they had also a pictograph sys tem. Their principal god was Ciaricaberis, the sun. The dead were cremated and both their funerals and their religious ceremonials were accompanied by human sacrifices. They were famous for their beautiful and dura ble fabrics of woven feathers as well as of cot ton, and were skillful in the working of gold and silver. They surpassed all native
tribes in their defensive armor, which consisted of helmet, cuirass, and limb protectors, all of wood covered with plates of copper or gold. In physique they were considered the tallest and handsomest people of Mexico. They still con stitute the bulk of the population of central Michoacan, and number about 200.000, and al though they have lost the art of feather weaving, they maintain their reputation for the weaving of beautiful rebosos and belts with figures of birds and animals, and for their lacquer work. The language is vocalic and euphonious. Despite the fact that they offered no resistance to the Spanish invasion of :Mexico, their last King, Tangaxoan, was tortured to death by Null° de Guzman. In 1S]0 they were the first to revolt against the Spaniards. and thus, under Hidalgo, began the Mexican War for Independence.