Tariácuri

Tariácuri (fl. c. 1350–1390), whose name means 'strong wind' in Purépecha, is traditionally hailed as the founder of the Purépecha state, credited with raising it from a single city-state to the dominant power of the region. The son of Pauacume II, lord of Pátzcuaro, he was born into the powerful uacúsecha clan.

Tradition tells that the sun god Curicaueri, the clan's patron, sent him in a dream to build a unified state. He allied the neighbouring towns and expanded to the southwest and across the Pátzcuaro basin, though enemies from Curinguaro once drove his nephews to flight before he overcame the setback.

After his death the domain was divided: his son Hiquingaje took Pátzcuaro, while his nephews Tangaxoan and Hiripan took Tzintzuntzan and Ihuatzio and kept up his alliance and his expansion.