MÉXICO - NORTH AMERICA
Population: 106,451,679; Publishers: 593,802; Ratio: 1 to 179; Congregations: 11,192
[2006 Yearbook]
Comments by the Faithful & Discreet Slave class about those serving where the need is greater, specifically in their relationship to the progress of the worldwide Kingdom Preaching work:
"What accounts for such progress? Many things. Missionaries trained at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead and, more recently, upwards of 20,000 graduates of the Ministerial Training School have made a huge contribution. So have the many Witnesses who at their own expense have moved to lands where the need for Kingdom publishers is greater. Such self-sacrificing Christians—men and women, young and old, single and married—play a significant role in preaching the Kingdom message throughout the earth. They are greatly appreciated."
Watchtower July 1, 2005, Pages 22-23
Indigenous Languages
Non-Indigenous Languages
INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES:
For those that would like to serve where the need is great and would love the challenge of learning a new language and adapting to a new culture, the indigenous language field of México is a real wonderland! On this link, we can only attempt to give you a small idea of what this field is like as México has 62 different indigenous languages & such a large Indian population that we can only "scratch the surface" !
For example, México has the second largest population of indigenous languages spoken in the world! India has 65 living languages , México, 62 and coming in third is China with 54!
According to Business Week, March 22, 2006, there are more than 12,000,000, indigenous people in México. Fifteen of these 62 languages are spoken by more than 100,000 people each and more than 1,000,000 of the indigenous people do not speak Spanish, México’s official language.
According to Ethologue Languages of the World, an encyclopedic reference work cataloging the worlds nearly 7,000 known living languages, México's Indian population is 23,500,000 and is roughly 29% of its total population [107,449,525 in 2006] and 49% of Latin America's Amerind population. As one can easily see from this, there is a large field for bringing the good news to México's people--not only among the Spanish-speaking, English-speaking, & other non-indigenous people, but within the indigenous language field itself!
Uninformed people sometimes refer to Indian languages of México as “dialects”, thinking they are simplified forms of Spanish or less than full languages like English and Spanish. This is not so. American Indian languages are full languages with rich grammar and vocabulary just like the languages that come from Europe, even so-called classical languages like Greek and Latin.
Here is a map showing the areas where the different indigenous languages of México are spoken. For names of states see www.needgreaters.com/MéxicoMaps.htm (CREDITS: Perry Castañeda map collection)
The states with the greatest proportion of indigenous population are:
Yucatán, 59%
Oaxaca, 48%
Quintana Roo, 39%
Chiapas, 28%
Campeche, 27%
Hidalgo, 24%
Puebla, 19%
Guerrero, 17%
San Luis Potosí, 15%
Veracruz, 15%
The following is a collection of a few interesting facts about a limited number of the indigenous peoples in México, their culture and their religious beliefs. To cover everything about these incredibly interesting & fascinating people and to do them justice would require writing hundreds of books! This link is merely meant to "introduce" you to México's indigenous people and their languages! If one is thinking about serving among the indigenous people of México, it is well worth the time and effort to research all of the cultures and peoples using the Society's publications as well as encyclopedias and the internet.
One of the things that makes a study of the indigenous Indian cultures so interesting is that their pottery, paintings, sculptures, writings and language all reflect their ancient and modern religious beliefs. This is true of even their embroidered motifs on clothing which is woven with symbols of the sun, moon, animals, birds, flowers--which things were & still are, in many places, venerated as gods. Names of towns, cities, states, mountains & other locations also reflect their religious beliefs. see: www.needgreaters.com/MéxicoCultureHistory.htm
Another aspect of a study of the Mexican Indians that increases our interest is the religious syncretism of ancient beliefs with Catholicism; that is, the blending of ancient pagan beliefs of the past, with those of catholicism in modern times. The more one learns of these fascinating cultures and their religious beliefs, the more one feels inspired to want to go and preach the Truth to these people!
We will very briefly mention seven of the larger groups of indigenous people found in México.
Nahua Indians:
These people settled in and around the Basin of México and spread to become the dominant people in central México. Regions with significant populations: Oaxaca, Morelos, Puebla, Hidalgo, Veracruz, State of México, Tlaxcala, Durango, Guerrero. Population: 1,500,000.
Religion:
Predominantly Catholic. Mixture of ancient beliefs with Catholicism. Nahua beliefs in the soul blended with Christendom's. Throughout the year, uniquely forged ceremonial traditions that fuse Catholic and indigenous practices and beliefs.
Language: Nahuatl: : Interesting that Xalapa comes from the Nahuatl (Aztec) language meaning "springs (of water) in the sand." Sometimes, you'll see it spelled Jalapa because "X" has several sounds and the Spaniards spelled Jalapa the way they thought it should be. Pickled "serrano" chiles are known as jalapeños because they were commercialized there in Jalapa, Veracruz, México.
In the English language, words such, such as coyote, chicle, chili, mesquite, mescal, jalap, tomato, chocolate, shack, and avocado have been adopted from Nahuatl.
States with the largest populations of persons speaking the Nahuatl language: 2000 census.
The 62 Mexican
living languages
|
Languages
|
Number of
speakers |
| Náhuatl | 2,563,000 |
| Maya | 1,490,000 |
| Zapoteco or Diidzaj | 785,000 |
| Mixteco or ñuu savi | 764,000 |
| Otomí or ñahñu | 566,000 |
| Tzeltal or k'op | 547,000 |
| Tzotzil or batzil k'op | 514,000 |
| Totonaca or tachihuiin | 410,000 |
| Mazateco or ha shuta enima | 339,000 |
| Chol | 274,000 |
| Mazahua or jñatio | 254,000 |
| Huasteco or tének | 247,000 |
| Chinanteco or tsa jujmi | 224,000 |
| Purépecha or tarasco | 204,000 |
| Mixe or ayook | 188,000 |
| Tlapaneco or mepha | 146,000 |
| Tarahumara or rarámuri | 122,000 |
| Zoque u o'de püt | 88,000 |
| Mayo or yoreme | 78,000 |
| Tojolabal or tojolwinik otik | 74,000 |
| Chontal de Tabasco or yokot'an | 72,000 |
| Popoluca | 69,000 |
| Chatino or cha'cña | 66,000 |
| Amuzgo or tzañcue | 63,000 |
| Huichol or wirrárica | 55,000 |
| Tepehuán u o'dam | 44,000 |
| Triqui or driki | 36,000 |
| Popoloca | 28,000 |
| Cora or naayeri | 27,000 |
| Kanjobal | 27,000 |
| Yaqui or yoreme | 25,000 |
| Cuicateco or nduudu yu | 24,000 |
| Mame or qyool | 24,000 |
| Huave or mero ikooc | 23,000 |
| Tepehua or hamasipini | 17,000 |
| Pame or xigüe | 14,000 |
| Chontal de Oaxaca or slijuala xanuk | 13,000 |
| Chuj | 3,900 |
| Chichimeca jonaz or uza | 3,100 |
| Guarijío or varojío | 3,000 |
| Matlatzinca or botuná | 1,800 |
| Kekchí | 1,700 |
| Chocholteca or chocho | 1,600 |
| Pima u otam | 1,600 |
| Jacalteco or abxubal | 1,300 |
| Ocuilteco or tlahuica | 1,100 |
| Seri or konkaak | 910 |
| Quiché | 640 |
| Ixcateco | 620 |
| Cakchiquel | 610 |
| Kikapú or kikapoa | 580 |
| Motozintleco or mochó | 500 |
| Paipai or akwa'ala | 410 |
| Kumiai or kamia | 360 |
| Ixil | 310 |
| Pápago or tono ooh'tam | 270 |
| Cucapá | 260 |
| Cochimí | 240 |
| Lacandón or hach t'an | 130 |
| Kiliwa or k'olew | 80 |
| Aguacateco | 60 |
| Teco | 50 |
|
State |
Population |
Percentage |
| Puebla | 416,968 | 28.8% |
| Veracruz | 338,324 | 23.3% |
| Hidalgo | 221,684 | 15.3% |
| San Luis Potosí | 138,523 | 9.6% |
| Guerrero | 136,681 | 9.4% |
| México | 55,802 | 3.9% |
| Distrito Federal | 37,450 | 2.6% |
| Tlaxcala | 26,662 | 1.8% |
| Morelos | 18,656 | 1.3% |
| Oaxaca | 10,979 | 0.8% |
| Jalisco | 6,714 | 0.5% |
| Sinaloa | 6,446 | 0.4% |
| Mexican Republic | 1,448,936 | 100% |
Source:
La diversidad cultural en México, Los pueblos indígenas
y sus 62 idiomas, Secretaría de Educación Pública, Consejo Nacional para la
Cultura y las Artes, Dirección General de Culturas Populares, Instituto
Nacional indigenista, Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en
Antropología Social, Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la
Antropología Social, Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la
Biodiversidad y Comisión Nacional de Libros de Texto Gratuitos, 2000. -Instituto
Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática, INEGI
The Mayas:
This indigenous
group lives in the center of the Yucatan
Peninsula, in the states of Campeche and Quintana Roo.
There are still
more than 700,000 Mayas living in Yucatan.
Yucatan Peninsula
Source: SEP,
Quintana Roo, Monografía Estatal, Méx.1997.
The Mayas are divided into various ethnic groups that speak around 30 dialects of the Maya family of languages. These groups include the Lacandones, the Tojolobales, the Tzotziles and the Tzeltales in Chiapas State. The Tzotziles and the Tzeltales live mostly around the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Farming is their main way of life, mostly growing corn. But making handcrafts is also an important activity. Corn is the life-giving God for the Mayas, but they also grow beans, hot peppers and squash.
The Mayas from Los Altos de Chiapas use specially made clothes, like hand-embroidered cloaks for men and long skirts, sashes and blouses for women. Mayan women that live in warmer climates usually wear loose white or cream dresses called "huipiles", or knee-length smocks.
Religion:
The natives of Chiapas hold various beliefs that are repeated from group to group. For example the idea that every human being has a spiritual animal double is common to almost all of them. This animal, which shares a person's destiny, may be an eagle, margay or showy bird. Ancestor worship is practiced, and legends are perpetuated about supernatural beings, demons and animal doubles that live in rivers, forests and mountains. The Choles for example take care of certain sacred caves as they believe that they are the homes of the spirits which control rain, wind, storms and other natural phenomena. The Lacandons still practice a rite in honor of the old man Nojoch-yum chac, the god of Rain.
Another characteristic is the religious syncretism of ancient beliefs and Catholicism. The Tzeltals venerate "talking crosses", sculptures associated with pre-Hispanic idols, which according to tradition talk to the faithful. Other groups show syncretism in their beliefs; the Choles worship a Black Christ in the town of Tila. The Tojolabals organize pilgrimages to visit different saints but at the same time venerate the sun, which they regard as a creator and protector deity, as well as the moon, the steerer of life. The natives of Chiapas practice both sorcery and traditional medicine, along with their magic and religious activities. Tzotzil women wear shifts [huipiles] incorporating sun symbols, geometric butterflies, flowers, cornfields and toads.
Chiapas is also famous for its handcrafts with designs and symbols related to ancient and modern religious beliefs. The Tojolabals make various articles in wood and clay; the Lacandons produce reed flutes, hammocks, nets, leather bags, polished and decorated gourds, clay dolls and necklaces of seeds. The Zoques are masters at weaving baskets and making toys. All groups in general are excellent weavers.
Figures of Speech: Indigenous languages:
Here are a few
examples from Lealao Chinantec, spoken in the State of Oaxaca:
To carry chickens
hí2chia42a2 niih2
To puff out one's cheeks
To eat bats
hi2chuh2a2 laa2 To be in jail
To have a wide
open mouth
jla2 na1haa2
To talk boldly
To hang oneself
hi2chih42a2 voo32a2 to
propose marriage
Cow feet
guaa3 tii2 cue2yah3 Pants tucked in boots
Dressed up squirrel
güii42 na3jmeeyh42 Old man in rags
A dog with a litter
dsii3 xey3 jaá2 To
be ferocious
The Zapotec Indians are indigenous people of México, primarily in S Oaxaca and on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec & believe themselves to have been born directly from rocks, trees, and jaguars.
The Zapotec name was coined by Aztecs and means "people from the clouds". The Zapotecs are concentrated in the state of Oaxaca, but also with communities spread into some of the neighboring states. Present-day population may be estimated at approximately 300,000 to 400,000 persons.
Religion:
Though the Zapotecs are now largely
Catholics, some of their ancient beliefs and practices, such as the
burial of the dead with valuables, still survive & are practiced along
with Catholic traditions & rituals.
The Zapotecs had a concept of a vital force
that separated living from nonliving matter, the "pee" or wind, breath,
or spirit.
Querétaro, like the states of Hidalgo, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, northern Veracruz, north-western Puebla, Tlaxcala and Estado de México, was an area settled by the Otomí. These relatively widely distributed Indian people, whose numbers are estimated at 300,000, speak a language of their own.
The Otomí, or Ñah-ñu, people who live in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo are part of a larger Otomí population known as the Eastern Otomí. Hidalgo is home to approximately half of México's Otomí speaking people. México's 1990 census found approximately 42,000 Eastern Otomí speakers in the isolated, mountainous region where the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, and Puebla meet.
Religion:
Spanish conquistadors brought Catholicism to México. The Hnahnu mixed it with their own religion. This can be seen today with the mixture of ancient rituals, ceremonies with those of catholicism.
Seri Indians:
In Northern México between the Sea of Cortez and
the desert of Sonora live the last 200 pure blood (sangre puro) Seri
Indians. The Seri villages of Punta Chueca and El Desemboque have between
600 and 800 residents total. However, there are less than 200 sangre puro
(pure blood) Seris left; the rest of the residents are those who have
intermarried with the Seri. they call themselves Konkaak-The People.
The pure Seri people are quite distinct. They are for the most part a handsome people-tall, and slender with a very proud and dignified bearing. Their skin is as dark as the ironwood carvings they are renown for crafting. Young people have piercing, dark eyes. The women have a beautiful carriage, no doubt acquired by carrying burdens on their heads.
Religion: Most modern Seri say they no longer practice the nature-based religion of their ancestors. The Apostilitic church is a presence in both Seri villages and many consider themselves to be "Christian". However, secretly, many admit to honoring old spiritual practices and beliefs.
The Seris fear darkness. While this is actually a practical fear because of the large numbers of poisonous creatures which crawl out from under rocks in the darkness, it is also a cultural fear. The Seris believe that animate forces lurk in the absence of light and are able to do their "work" only when the sun is not present. These forces include a female sea serpent who doesn't like humans wandering in her domain of darkness and other forces that inflict incurable illness and if they are encountered at night.
While many of the old ways have been displaced by American, Mexican and Christendom's beliefs & traditions, the Seri still live close to the earth and cycles of nature. A great many Seri, even the very elderly, sleep outside directly on the ground with only a thin blanket for covering.
Tarahumara Indians:
The Tarahumara or Raramuri, as they call themselves, inhabit the Copper Canyon, as it is known in the U.S., or the Sierra Tarahumara in northwest México. There are about 50,000 Tarahumara Indians, México's second largest native group, who are still living in the mountains of México, some in caves, all totally isolated from the modern world.
Today the Tarahumara live in caves, under cliffs and in small wood and stone cabins in remote areas. They live a simple life undisturbed by modern technologies. Much of their land has been taken by "the white man and mestizos" and they are being driven even higher into the highest reaches of the Sierra Tarahumara, in the State of Chihuahua. There, even the valleys are over 5000 feet above sea level.
Religion:
The Easter celebration is a strange collision of cultures. So-called "Christian" prayers mixed with the slaughter of a goat and music, the soul of life to Tarahumara, is played to any of gods who could hear. A ceremony is performed at the Lost Cathedral before Easter. Nobody knows why the Lost Cathedral was built, who built it or when, but it is now the most important church for the nearby Tarahumara Indians who have found what they feel is "Christianity". The four corners of the church are blessed then a symbolic act has a man clear evil spirit from the path of the cross with a rattle. Teams of "Pharisees and soldiers" re-enact a timeless battle of evil & good, as the protectors and destroyers of Jesus.
Christendom's beliefs found its way into all of México's Indian communities, even the most remote like the Tarahumaras. They were left alone throughout most of the 18th and 19th century to interpret the threads of "Christianity" which the Jesuit missionaries forced upon them, mixing the Bible with their own tribal beliefs. The celebration at Christmas of the Virgin of Guadalupe consisted of much drinking, dancing and feasting, though many of them really have no idea who the Virgin Mary is.
The Tarahumara belief that the world began with the sun and moon, who were two children who dressed in palm leaves and lived in shacks. The only light that shined on earth was the morning star. The moon swallowed the lice from the head of the sun and the earth was plunged into total darkness. The Tarahumara Indians hailed the sun and moon by erecting redwood crosses soaked in tesquino alcohol and the sun and moon began to shine. Also among their mythological beliefs, there was a flood.
The Mixtec Indians:
The Mixtec or Mixteca area, both historically and currently, corresponds roughly to the western half of the state of Oaxaca, with some Mixtec communities extending into the neighboring state of Puebla to the north west and also the state of Guerrero.
The term Mixtec comes from the Aztec word of Mixtecapan, or place of the cloud-people. The Zapotec, mentioned earlier, and the Mixtec are two cultures linked together. One begins exactly where the other ends.
Religion:
Nominally Roman Catholic and active in church brotherhoods (cofradías), they blend pre-Christian pagan beliefs and practices with Catholic rituals. Mixtec religion worshipped the forces of nature including life, death and an afterlife. The deities were represented with images associated with war, the sun, human sacrifice, fertility, rain, wind, air, etc. (Id.). The sun was the deity held in the highest esteem.
Yaqui Indians:
Yaqui is a term used both for a river in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, and for an indigenous group that lives in this part of the country. The Yaqui are traditionally an agricultural people, harvesting corn, beans, and squash, and they refer to themselves as the “Yoeme” which is also the name of the language they speak.
Religion:
The Yaqui culture celebrates nature through various rituals and dances. Today their religion and culture has blended with Catholic, Jesuit, and Franciscan traditions. The Yaqui deer song/dance ritual performed during Easter is shown below.
Another important part of Yaqui culture is the belief that flowers are actually souls. Greetings between close friends can sometimes refer to flowers.
Easter Ceremony Beginning with Ash Wed.: the Passion of Christ
Above: The Catholic ceremonies and the Yaqui ceremonies blended into sacred elements of both worlds.
There is much work and a great need for workers in the indigenous language field. There are congregations and whole circuits throughout México of indigenous language congregations. For more information on helping out in this field, contact the México Branch.
Also see: www.Needgreaters.com/MéxicoBranch.htm .
Reading: For Information & Experiences from the Society's Publications:
"I ENJOY SHARING THE TRUTH WITH THE NAHUATL," 1999 Awake! May 8, Page 20
"México’s Indigenous Peoples Hear the Good News," 2004 Watchtower, August 15,
Pages 10-11
"When Preaching Is Especially Memorable," 2003 Watchtower, April 15, Pages 10-11
"Good News of Peace Reaches the Chiapas Highlands," 2000 Watchtower,
Dec. 15, Pages 8-11
English, of course, is a non-indigenous language, but is nevertheless, a "foreign language" in México. Since the field of service is so large for México-English separate links have been created for this as well as the Indigenous language groups.
However, there are other non-indigenous languages spoken in México such as German (mainly in Chihuahua, Puebla, and México City), Arabic, Venetian (in Chipilo) French, Italian, Chinese, and Korean. A good many of these foreign language-speaking persons are being cared for by México-English as well as the Spanish-speaking brothers and, in this unique way, they are learning the Truth in a "second language".
However, there is much to do in these fields that is not cared for by the México-English congregations of "Mexidonia". There are an estimated 30,000 Chinese persons in México. See the article, Chinese People in Mexico, 2005 Watchtower, December 15, Pages 17-18. For example, there is already a Chinese congregation in México City. There are also French, Italian, and Korean book study groups. At least two German groups have been established in the state of Chihuahua and a Japanese group has been established for some time in Aguascalientes. At last report, there are also 11 circuits of Sign Language Congregations (Mexican Sign Language) with Sign Language congregations throughout the entire country.
"HELPING CHINESE PEOPLE IN MEXICO"
The 2005 Watchtower December 15, pages 17,18, in the article, "Helping Chinese People in México", describes the vast foreign field in México saying:
"An estimated 30,000 Chinese-speaking people live in México. In 2003, 15 of them attended the Memorial of Christ’s death held in México City. Thus Witnesses in México became aware of the potential for spiritual growth in the Chinese field. In order to have more preachers to care for these Chinese-speaking people, a three-month course was established to teach Mexican Witnesses simple presentations in Mandarin Chinese. Altogether, 25 Witnesses took the course. At its completion, an official from the Mandarin-speaking community in México City attended the graduation, showing the impact of the class on the Chinese-speaking populace. A local Chinese institution offered three of the students scholarships to go abroad to polish up their Chinese."
The article goes on to relate just how, although unable to speak Chinese fluently, the brothers and sisters were able to start many Bible studies, and then it continues:
"Before long, a Congregation Book Study was established with an average attendance of 9 Chinese-speaking persons and 23 local Mexican Witnesses. Among those attending was a Chinese doctor, who had received the Watchtower and Awake! magazines in Spanish from one of his patients. Since he did not read Spanish, he had someone translate a few lines for him. Realizing that the magazines dealt with the Bible, he asked the patient if she could obtain the magazines in Chinese. She did, and through the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in México, arrangements were made for a Chinese-speaking Witness to call on him. His mother in China had a Bible, and the doctor had enjoyed reading it. When he decided to go to México, his mother told him not to stop reading the Bible. So he had been praying for someone who could help him learn more about the God of the Bible. He exclaimed: "God has listened to my prayer!" Read this article in its entirety!
JAPANESE GROUP - AGUASCALIENTES, MÉXICO
Jehovah is just beginning to open the doors of opportunity as more willing workers with a disposition like Timothy's are finding listening ears in several foreign languages spoken by residents of México. For more information on where help is needed, please contact the México Branch.
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[The indigenous people of México were very accomplished potters and already had a very long tradition producing earthenware. As with paintings, sculptures, weaving, embroidering,& other crafts, designs and symbols, reflecting their religious beliefs, have been incorporated into their pottery.]
For information regarding non-indigenous languages spoken in México, please see the following links: www.needgreaters.com/MexicoSpanish.htm and www.Needgreaters.com/MexicoEnglish.htm
The purpose of the Serving Where the Need is Great Web Page is simply to share many of the joys and experiences of needgreaters throughout the world. It has been prepared with the hope of encouraging all of Jehovah’s servants as well as motivating those who have the circumstances to reach out for this wonderful privilege of service. In no way is the information provided here a substitute for following the instructions of the Society which include contacting the Branch Office in the country in which you would like to serve.