clcont.com The 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.

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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).

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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.

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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).

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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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Indigenous peoples of the Americas

Indigenous peoples of Mexico