Cochimi (ko-chi-mi'). A
term originally used to designate a Yuman dialect supposed to
have been spoken from about lat. 26° to the north limit of Lower
California. It is doubtful, however, if any single dialect was
spoken over such an extended area. It is here employed as a
collective or divisional name embracing many former tribes of
the Californian peninsula from lat. 31° southward to about lat.
26°, including the settlements around Loreto. The tribes of this
division were the most populous in the peninsula, though it
would be difficult now to define their limits to the north and
south in a strictly ethnologic or linguistic sense. According to
Hervas (Idea dell' Universo, xxi, 79-80, 1787)
there existed in 1767 the following missions at which Cochimi
dialects were spoken: San Xavier de Biaundo (pop. 485); San Jose
Comondu (pop. 360); Santa Borja (1,500 neophytes); Santa Maria
Magdalena (300 neophytes and 30 catechumens); La Purísima
Concepcion (130 neophytes); Santa Rosalia de Mulege or Muleje
(pop. 300); Santa Guadalupe (530 neophytes); San Ignacio (pop.
750), and Santa Gertrudis (pop. 1,000). A few of these Indians
are said to survive. Duflot de Mofras (Expl., 1,
227, 1844) states that in his time (about 1842) the Cora,
Edu, Pericu, and Cochimi were no longer distinct from one
another, but Buschmann regards this as doubtful.
The following are classed as Cochimi tribes or
rancherias: Adac, Afegua, Aggavacaamanc, Amalgua, Amaniini,
Ametzilhacaamanc, Anchu, Avolabac,
Caamancijup,Caddehi,Cadecuijtnipa, Cadegomo, Cadeudebet,
Cahelca, Cahelejyu, Cahelenthil, Cahehmet, Camancnaccooya,
Camanocacaamano, Cunitcacahel, Eguiannacahel, Gabacamanini,
Gamacaamanc, Gamacaamancxa, Hualimea, Idelabuu, Idelibinaga,
Ika, Jetti, Laimon, Liggige, Menchu, Mokaskel, Paviye, Paya,
Piacaamanc, Piagadme, San Athanasio, San Benito de Aruy, San
Francisco Borja, San Ignacio, San José
de Comondu, San Juan, San Miguel, San Sabas, Santa Aguida, Santa
Lucia, Santa Maria, Santa Marta, Santa Monica, Santa Nynfa, San
Pedro y San Pablo, Santisima Trinidad, Tahuagabacahel,
Temedegua, Uacazil, Vaba, Vabacahel, Vajademin, Vazacahel,
Vinatacot.
