Indigenous-peoples-of-Mexico
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Indigenous peoples of Mexico
Mexico has defined itself, in the second article of its
constitution, as a "pluricultural" nation, in recognition of the
diverse ethnic groups that constitute it. There are, according to
the Consejo Nacional de Población (CONAPO), the Instituto Nacional
de Estadística, Geografía e Informática, and the Comisión Nacional
para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas (CDI) 12 million of
Amerindians (or "indigenous peoples", the preferred term in
Spanish). Other international organizations prefer a percentage of
30% of predominantly Amerindians, the great majority of which have
been assimilated into the Mexican culture, forgetting their
traditions and languages. |
Unlike other Latin American countries, in which the indigenous
peoples are made up by a predominant group (countries in which one
Amerindian language is predominant or even co-official with
Spanish), in Mexico there are 62 indigenous peoples, that speak 62
different languages (officially recognized as "national languages"
along with Spanish by the Mexican government), and many more
dialects. According to INEGI 6% of the population (that is, half of
the indigenous peoples) still speak and Amerindian Language, of
which Nahuatl and Yucatec Maya are the most important in terms of
number of speakers.
Historically, some states of the Mexican federation have identified
themselves with one or more of the diverse indigenous peoples that
lived in their territories, even if nowadays they constitute only a
small percentage of their populations; for example: Tlaxcala, with
the Tlaxcaltecas indigenous group, Yucatan with the Maya, Chihuahua
with the tarahumara, etc.
The ethnic diversity of the indigenous peoples of Mexico goes back
to pre-Hispanic times. While the northern territories of the country
(north of San Luis Potosí, taking the Tropic of Cancer as an
artificial border), was scarcely populated by nomadic tribes, the
center-southern territories constituted Mesoamerica, a region in
which several complex and advanced civilizations developed through
the centuries. This region was densely populated by diverse
indigenous groups.
By the time of the arrival of the Spaniards, the region was
politically and economically united by the Aztec Empire (the
south-east had some sorts of self-government, but the population
paid tribute to the Aztecs). Evidence has been found on the
existence of multi-racial communities in the majority of the great
pre-Hispanic cities, when their respective civilizations were at
their zenith (in Tenochtitlan, Teotihuacan and Cholula, for
example).
During the conquest of Mexico, the conquistadors used the ethnic
diversity of the country for their benefit, making important
alliances with the indigenous peoples that were under Aztec rule.
These alliances were decisive in their victory; however, these
ethnic groups were subjugated into an even more oppressive empire.
Wars, extermination, and pandemics killed 90% of the original
population; in 1521 the population of central Mexico had been
estimated to be around 18 million; by 1581 it was less than 2
million. The indigenous peoples were oppressed and marginated during
colonial times.
As an independent nation, Mexico declared the abolition of slavery
(the majority of the slaves had been Amerindians), but the economic
and social situation of the indigenous peoples changed very little
during the 19th century. Nonetheless, some Amerindians integrated
into the Mexican society, like Benito Juarez, the first Amerindian
president of a country of the New World.
The greatest change, however, came about as a result of the Mexican
Revolution, a violent social and cultural movement that defined the
Mexico of the 20th century. The constitution that originated from
the movement, in 1917, was the first in the world to recognize
individual social rights, including the rights of the Amerindians.
The Revolution also produced a national sentiment in which the
indigenous peoples were the foundation of the Mexican Society.
Several prominent artists promoted the Amerindian Sentiment (sentimiento
indigenista) of the country, like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The
governments that ensued the Revolution created the concept of the "ejido",
giving free land to peasants (the majority of which were Amerindian)
and established bilingual education in some Amerindian communities
as well as the publication of free bilingual textbooks.
In spite of the official recognition of the indigenous peoples the
economic underdevelopment of the communities, accentuated by the
crises of the 1980s and 1990s, have not allowed for the social and
cultural development of the communities. Thousands of Mexican
Amerindians have emigrated to the big cities (mainly to Mexico City
and the border cities) as well as to the United States. (In fact,
the great majority of the Mexican immigration to the United States
is of Amerindian origin. In Los Angeles, for example, the Mexican
government has established access in Spanish and Amerindian
languages to some of the consular services provided).
Some of the Maya peoples of Chiapas have revolted, demanding better
social and economic opportunities, requests voiced by the EZLN. In
other states, the situation may be somewhat different. In Yucatan,
for example, residents have found a regional and cultural identity
as Mayas, including the modern city of Merida.
The government has made important legislation changes, to promote
the development of the rural and indigenous communities, and the
preservation and promotion of their languages. The government
sponsors several radio programs in indigenous languages (some of
which can be heard over the internet at the CDI official webpage).
In 2003 the "Federal Law of Linguistic Rights" was approved, which
created the Institute of Indigenous Languages. This law considers
Spanish and the indigenous languages to be "national languages" with
the "same validity". |
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