The Mazateca community is an indigenous people that lives predominantly in the Sierra Mazateca, in the state of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. The term "Mazateca" means "people of the deer." This expression is derived from the word Mazatl, of Nahualí origin, which means deer.
From the Mazatec culture a group of indigenous Mexican languages were generated, very similar to each other, and in the states of Oaxaca, Puebla and Veracruz, this linguistic group is actively spoken by more than 130,000 people.
Mazatec languages were recognized in 2003 as "national languages" in the United Mexican States, through the enactment of the General Law of Linguistic Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The preservation of the cultural heritage is vital to guarantee the protection of the autochthonous roots of each country. Next, 20 words in the Mazatec language, and their meaning in Spanish:
Cjuachanga: adjective about old age, old age, senescence.
Fañafësun: action of lying on something specifically to sleep.
Fehetsejen: It is used to mention supernatural events, such as the presence of a spectrum.
Quicucacun: It is used to refer to a clever, alert, alive or perceptive person.
Quicha: iron, metal. It is used to directly mention metal; It is also used as an adjective to indicate that an object is made of this material.
Rcu: refers exclusively to the top of a hat.
Rqui: medicine, remedy. It refers to indigenous medicines prepared from medicinal herbs.
Sacu: from the verb to get, or to get. It is also used to reveal that a person is in a certain place.
Sacuya rë: verb that expresses that the person found the way to solve a problem.
Sahmichuva: reduce or decrease something. Likewise, this word can also be used to indicate that a person is cowed or intimidated by an event.
Suhi: party. This word precedes the name of the celebration that is being alluded to; for example: the expression "Suhi rë" refers to a birthday; instead, the expression "Suhi Tsin Nina" means Christmas.
Tajñu: activity that takes place at dawn, first thing in the day.
Tjengui: gear or fit between pieces. It is also used to refer to the deliberate placement of an object in a place, so that it is found.
Tsavi: adjective that indicates when a person is careful, cautious. Depending on the context, this word can be used to indicate that a situation is dangerous, or delicate.
Tsicjëya: action of breaking a previously acquired commitment.
Tsitjiya: to rock a person; a baby, for example.
Vanguihmucjin: hurt a person unconsciously; that is, without the intention of doing so.
Vatahajca: give a hug.
Vaxëtaha: imitate someone else's behavior. It can also be used to indicate the making of a copy or a freehand drawing.
Vejnucëë: act of laughing or making fun of a person or event, out of disbelief.
References
- Jamieson, C. (1996). Mazatec Dictionary of Chiquihuitlán, Oaxaca. Summer Institute of Linguistics, AC. Arizona, USA. Recovered from: sil.org
- Carrera, C. (2011). Grammatical approach to the Mazatec language of Mazatlán, Villa Flores, Oaxaca. National Institute of Indigenous Languages. Mexico DF, Mexico. Recovered from: site.inali.gob.mx
- Gonzáles, A. (2011). Mazatec culture. Recovered from: historiacultural.com
- Mazateco - Indigenous language (2012). Mexico DF, Mexico. Recovered from: yohablomexico.com.mx
- Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Mazatec languages. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org