The Tolupan or Jicaque people are an Indigenous ethnic group of Honduras, primarily inhabiting the northwest coast of Honduras and the community Montaña de La Flor in central Honduras.

Culture

The Jicaque or Tolupan are an agrarian people, who raise beans, maize, and sweet and bitter manioc. They also fish, hunt, and raise livestock. They are polygamous. Culturally, they are similar to the Miskito and Sumo people.

History

In the 19th century, a Roman Catholic missionary, Manuel Jesús de Subirian, encouraged many Jicaque to assimilate into mainstream culture, settle in villages, and grow maize. The other Jicaque who maintained their traditional lifeways lived in Montaña de la Flor, and ultimately the Honduran government granted them a 760-hectare reservation.

Synonymy

The Jicaque are also called the Cicaque, Hicaque, Ikake, Taguaca, Taupane, Tol, Tolpan, Torrupan, or Xicaque people.

Honors

A species of Honduran snake, Rhadinella tolpanorum, is named in honor of the Tolupan people.