- Nahuas
The Nahuas are the direct descendants of the Aztec people who
dominated most of Mesoamerica at the time of the arrival of the
Spanish conquerors. The unifying element of this ethnic group is
the use of the Nahuatl language.
dominated most of Mesoamerica at the time of the arrival of the
Spanish conquerors. The unifying element of this ethnic group is
the use of the Nahuatl language.
- Zapotecs
The Zapotec people were, in addition to the Mayan civilization, the
only human group in Mesoamerica that had a complete writing system
that included representations and sounds linked to them. Before the
colonization it was developed in the central valleys of what is now the
territory of Oaxaca, specifically in Monte Albán, where it built irrigation
canals and dams to sustain its agricultural system. While his city was
destroyed almost 400 years ago. The Zapotec people still retain their own cultural
only human group in Mesoamerica that had a complete writing system
that included representations and sounds linked to them. Before the
colonization it was developed in the central valleys of what is now the
territory of Oaxaca, specifically in Monte Albán, where it built irrigation
canals and dams to sustain its agricultural system. While his city was
destroyed almost 400 years ago. The Zapotec people still retain their own cultural
features and live in the state of Oaxaca.
- Otomíes or Ñähñu
Like many of Mexico's ethnic minorities, the Otomis do not have a
defined territory but are located in various parts of the country.
They are around one hundred thousand although many of them
no longer speak their native language.This human group calls
itself ñähñu, which means "they speak the Otomi language." This
feature is shared with other minorities whose languages come from
the same Ottoman language family. The word Otomi is a Castilianization
of Nahuatl Otocac which means ‘walker’ and mitl ‘arrow’.
defined territory but are located in various parts of the country.
They are around one hundred thousand although many of them
no longer speak their native language.This human group calls
itself ñähñu, which means "they speak the Otomi language." This
feature is shared with other minorities whose languages come from
the same Ottoman language family. The word Otomi is a Castilianization
of Nahuatl Otocac which means ‘walker’ and mitl ‘arrow’.
- Totonacos
The word totonaco means three hearts. This is explained because
the legend that tells the origin of this town describes the existence
of a theocratic empire ruled by three priests in three ceremonial centers.
It is said that a young man who wanted the daughter of a priest had to
flee to protect his life and in this way he came to the territory that today
inhabits this town mainly in the municipality of Zongozotla. The Zempoala
River marks the border between the Totonacas and other Nahua-speaking
peoples. The word ‘naco’ that is often used disparagingly by Mexican mestizos,
really means heart for the Totonacas.
the legend that tells the origin of this town describes the existence
of a theocratic empire ruled by three priests in three ceremonial centers.
It is said that a young man who wanted the daughter of a priest had to
flee to protect his life and in this way he came to the territory that today
inhabits this town mainly in the municipality of Zongozotla. The Zempoala
River marks the border between the Totonacas and other Nahua-speaking
peoples. The word ‘naco’ that is often used disparagingly by Mexican mestizos,
really means heart for the Totonacas.
- Tzeltales and tzotziles
These two ethnic minorities are both descendants of the Mayan people. It is
believed that they began to settle between the years 750 and 500 B.C. in the
current territory of Chiapas, where they represent 34% of the indigenous population.
believed that they began to settle between the years 750 and 500 B.C. in the
current territory of Chiapas, where they represent 34% of the indigenous population.
Much of its cultural heritage is embodied in the oral stories that reproduce the legends
of Popol Vuh, the book of the creation of the Mayan people.These two ethnic groups
began to present different cultural identities around the year 1200 A.D.
of Popol Vuh, the book of the creation of the Mayan people.These two ethnic groups
began to present different cultural identities around the year 1200 A.D.
- Mazatecos
This human group calls itself ha shuta enima which means ‘humble people’ or
‘people who work in the mountains’. However, it is believed that the word ‘mazateco’
comes from Nahuatl and means “people of the deer”.
‘people who work in the mountains’. However, it is believed that the word ‘mazateco’
comes from Nahuatl and means “people of the deer”.
The Mazatec language comes from the Olmec-Ottoman language group, like Chocho,
from Ixcateco and Popoloca and has about ten different dialects. This is especially
important for the construction of your identity.
from Ixcateco and Popoloca and has about ten different dialects. This is especially
important for the construction of your identity.
The language is also not the only identity indicator of the Mazatecs, also their relationship
with nature and their work in the field are marks that identify them. His wizards and shamans
are also known.
with nature and their work in the field are marks that identify them. His wizards and shamans
are also known.
- Seri
The Seri people live in the Sonoran desert. Its language belongs to the Hokana family,
along with the Paipai, Kiliwa, Cucapa, Cochimi, Chontal tapai languages. One of its
most important sources of livelihood is the sea, because historically, the desert by the
sea was its territory. The Seri were famous for the ferocity of their warriors. Currently
fishing is its main activity.
along with the Paipai, Kiliwa, Cucapa, Cochimi, Chontal tapai languages. One of its
most important sources of livelihood is the sea, because historically, the desert by the
sea was its territory. The Seri were famous for the ferocity of their warriors. Currently
fishing is its main activity.
- Purépechas or Tarascanos
After the fall of the Aztec empire, the Spanish colonizers noticed that this town was
very different from the majority of inhabitants of Mesoamerica.
very different from the majority of inhabitants of Mesoamerica.
Even today, the origin of this ethnic group remains a mystery. Some have come to
suggest some connection with the Andean cultures. Even the word Purépecha means
"newcomers." Today, this ethnic group mainly inhabits the state of Michoacán and is
approximately 120,000. However, many of them have had to migrate mainly to the
United States due to the precarious conditions in which they live.
suggest some connection with the Andean cultures. Even the word Purépecha means
"newcomers." Today, this ethnic group mainly inhabits the state of Michoacán and is
approximately 120,000. However, many of them have had to migrate mainly to the
United States due to the precarious conditions in which they live.
- Popoluca
The term that calls this group comes from Nahuatl and calls someone who babbles
when speaking. They inhabit the south of Veracruz.
when speaking. They inhabit the south of Veracruz.
They are cultural descendants of the Olmec people in the same way as the Mixe
and Zoque peoples. This group has dialectic variations so marked that it could be
said that it almost forms four different languages. Among others, that is why they find
it very difficult to create a defined identity.
and Zoque peoples. This group has dialectic variations so marked that it could be
said that it almost forms four different languages. Among others, that is why they find
it very difficult to create a defined identity.
No comments:
Post a Comment