Amotomanco (Otomoaco) and Tanpachoa as Uto-Aztecan Languages, and the Jumano Problem Once More

On the basis of his justly famed work, The Distribution of Aboriginal Tribes and Languages in Northwestern Mexico (1934), Carl Sauer is often credited with having assigned the little-known Concho and Suma of Chihuahua and the Jumano of West Texas to the Uto-Aztecan family. In fact, of the Concho he says (1983:59) that “Kroeber has determined their linguistic affinity with Cahita and Opata” and merely provides some additional documentary commentary and tribal names possibly bearing on the question. Concerning the Suma and Jumano, he only states rather obliquely (1983:65), “In the following records a discussion is presented relating these people to the south and probably to Uto-Aztecan peoples.” He cites four words obtained by Spanish explorers in 1581 but does not discuss them.