San Miguel Jigui

The name pairs the patron saint, San Miguel Arcángel, with an Otomí word, h'ugui, that refers to the abundance of jilitla trees along the community's stream. Jigui sits at 2,148 metres, about 10 km northwest of Cardonal, right on the boundary between the municipalities of Cardonal and Ixmiquilpan; its neighbours are San Clemente, Santuario Mapethé, El Deca, Cerro Blanco, El Olivo and El Buena.

In 2020 it had 478 residents in 123 homes. People speak Spanish and also Mezquital Valley Otomí; the census notes a Catholic majority and a Pentecostal minority. The climate is temperate and sub-humid, averaging 16 to 18 °C with 400 to 430 mm of rain a year, and the vegetation mixes mesquite, huizache and pirul with cacti such as garambullo, organ pipe, biznaga and pitaya, plus walnut, ash and orchard fruit like avocado and apple. A small reservoir tucked into one corner of the community holds mojarra and catfish.

The local economy rests on rain-fed maize and beans, some sheep grazing, backyard poultry, two clothing and footwear workshops and, above all, money sent home by relatives who emigrated to the United States. There is a kindergarten, a primary school, a telesecundaria and a health centre. It is a community in which to meet the Otomí Mezquital with respect, with no tourist infrastructure.