THE 9 MOST IMPORTANT CULTURAL MINORITIES IN MEXICO - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The cultural and ethnic minorities of Mexico can be identified among other cultural traits by the linguistic families to which their languages ​​belong. Among others, the Nahuas, the Zapotecs, the Totonecs or the Mazatecs stand out.

At the beginning of the 16th century, the European conquerors who arrived in America tried to unify the recently discovered territories. This not only allowed them to control material resources, but also the indigenous population. The control of the natives required eliminating the cultural differences that existed between the natives, whose linguistic and cultural diversity was very wide.

In Mesoamerica there were many cultures, however the dominant ethnic group were the Aztecs or Mixtecs. Despite the diversity, the conquerors reduced the natives to a homogeneous and discriminated group that, since then, has undergone deep processes of acculturation.

After the political independence of Mexico, the conditions of the Native Americans did not change much. Although they acquired rights under the law, in practice they suffered discrimination, segregation and acculturation, that is, they occupied the last step of the Mexican social pyramid.

As victims of double exploitation, labor and ethnic, much of the diversity of indigenous peoples was lost.

Many elements remain in our days: eating habits, traditional medicine or vernacular languages. However others, such as religious habits, were instituted by Spanish rule.

For the first time, after four hundred years of domination, indigenous peoples seek to shake off the abusive or paternalistic policies they have suffered.

Major minorities in Mexico

1- 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.

2- 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 colonization it 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.

Although his city was destroyed almost 400 years ago. The Zapotec people still preserve their own cultural traits and live in the state of Oaxaca.

3- Otomíes or Ñähñu

Like many of Mexico's ethnic minorities, the Otomi do not have a defined territory but are found in various parts of the country. There are around one hundred thousand although many of them no longer speak their native language.

This human group calls itself ñähñu, which means "who speak the Otomí language." This trait is shared with other minorities whose languages ​​come from the same Ottoman linguistic family.

The word otomí is a Castilianization of the Nahuatl Otocac meaning 'walker' and mitl 'arrow'.

4- Totonacas

The Totonac word means three hearts. This is explained because the legend that tells the origin of this town describes the existence of a theocratic empire governed by three priests in three ceremonial centers.

It is said that a young man who was claiming the daughter of a priest had to flee to protect his life and in this way he reached the territory that this town inhabits today, mainly in the municipality of Zongozotla. The Zempoala River marks the border between the Totonacs and other Nahua-speaking peoples.

The word 'naco', which is often used in a derogatory way by Mexican mestizos, actually means heart for the Totonacs.

5- Tzeltales and Tzotziles

These two ethnic minorities are both descendants of the Mayan people. It is believed that they began to settle between 750 and 500 BC in the current territory of Chiapas, where they represent 34% of the indigenous population.

Much of its cultural heritage is reflected in the oral stories that reproduce the legends of the Popol Vuh, the book of the creation of the Mayan people.

These two ethnic groups began to present distinct cultural identities around 1200 AD.

6- Mazatecos

This human group calls themselves 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."

The Mazatec language comes from the Olmec-Ottomangue linguistic group, like Chocho, Ixcatec and Popoloca and has about ten different dialects. This is especially important for you to build your identity.

Furthermore, language is not the only identity indicator of the Mazatecs, their relationship with nature and their work in the fields are also marks that identify them. Their witches and shamans are also known.

7- Seri

The Seri people live in the Sonoran desert. Their 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, since historically, the desert by the sea was its territory.

The Seri were famous for the ferocity of their warriors. Currently fishing is their main activity.

8- Purépechas or Tarascanos

After the fall of the Aztec empire, the Spanish colonizers noticed that this town was very different from the majority of the inhabitants of Mesoamerica.

Even today, the origin of this ethnic group remains a mystery. Some have even suggested a certain connection with Andean cultures. Even the word Purépecha means "newcomers."

Today, this ethnic group mainly inhabits the state of Michoacán and there are 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.

9- Popoluca

The term that names this group comes from Nahuatl and refers to someone who babbles when speaking. They live south of Veracruz.

They are cultural descendants of the Olmec people in the same way as the Mixe and Zoque peoples. This group has such marked dialect variations that it could be said that it almost forms four different languages. Among others, that is the reason why it is very difficult for them to create a defined identity.

References

1. Barrientos, G. (2004). Indigenous peoples of contemporary Mexico. Mexico DF: EDO. MEX.
2. MALMSTRÖM, V. (1995). GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGINS OF THE TARASCANS. GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW.
3. Toledo, V., Alarcón-Chaires, P., Moguel, P., Olivo, M., Cabrera, A., Leyequien, E., & Rodriguez-Aldabe, A. (sf). The Ethnoecological Atlas of Mexico and Central America. Ethnoecological, 7-41.
4. www.innovations.harvard.edu. (sf). The Zapoteca. Retrieved from innovations.harvard.edu.