Mexico's Native Tongues Struggle to Stay Alive

CGTN America

15 Nov 202017:19

Summary

TLDRIn Mexico City, the borough of Chimalwakan hosts a traditional funeral ceremony known as 'La Danza,' a ritual with deep roots in Mesoamerican history. This dance connects participants to their Aztec ancestors, reflecting a painful past of domination and subjugation. Despite the Aztec's vibrant society, the Spanish conquest led to the suppression of indigenous culture and the establishment of a caste system favoring European descent. Today, Mexico City's Indigenous University works to preserve native culture and language amidst a society still grappling with racism and the suppression of indigenous identity.

Takeaways

🏰 The Mexico City borough is home to over 1 million people and has a rich history, including the Aztec civilization.
💃 La Danza is a ritual dance that connects the community to their Mesoamerican heritage and is a living tradition.
👥 The dance is performed by locals, including professionals like Jaime Santos and Jorge Coyote, who see it as a connection to their ancestors.
📚 The indigenous culture was suppressed during the Spanish conquest and the establishment of New Spain, leading to a history of subjugation.
🏛️ Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City, was once the capital of the Aztec empire, which was vast and influential before the Spanish conquest.
🌐 Despite Mexico's large population having Meso-American genetics, racism and discrimination against indigenous people persist.
🎓 The Indigenous University in Mexico City works to preserve native culture and support indigenous migrants in the capital.
🌐 The majority of Mexicans have Meso-American genetics, yet indigenous people are often marginalized and underrepresented.
👩‍⚕️ Nancy Espinal, a traditional healer and dentist, represents individuals rediscovering their indigenous roots and ancestral wisdom.
👵 Carmen Rodriguez, at 87, is part of a generation working to preserve the Nahuatl language and Aztec culture through education.
🌟 Cultural leaders believe that embracing Mexico's indigenous past can help address modern challenges and create a brighter future.

Q & A

What is the significance of La Danza in the context of the video?
-La Danza is a ritual deeply rooted in the history of Mesoamerica, representing a connection to the ancestors and indigenous culture of the region.
Who are the Aztecs mentioned in the script?
-The Aztecs were a vibrant society that dominated an empire from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean before being conquered by the Spanish in 1519.
What was the impact of the Spanish conquest on the indigenous people of Mexico?
-The Spanish conquest led to the demonization of the indigenous people, suppression of their language, rituals, and culture, and the establishment of a social caste system favoring European descent.
What role does Mexico City's Indigenous University play according to the script?
-Mexico City's Indigenous University seeks to preserve native culture and assist indigenous migrants in the capital, aiming to change the marginalization of indigenous languages and cultures.
Why is the preservation of indigenous culture important in Mexico, as per the script?
-Preservation of indigenous culture is important for maintaining historical connections, combating racism, and potentially addressing modern-day challenges such as violence.
What is the significance of the word 'indial' in Mexican Spanish according to the script?
-In Mexican Spanish, the word 'indial' is synonymous with being uneducated, reflecting the racism and superiority complex that exists in Mexican society.
How does the script describe the current situation of indigenous people in Mexico despite their genetic prevalence?
-Despite the majority of Mexico's population having Meso-American genetics, racism is still prevalent, and indigenous people are often depicted as second-class citizens.
What is the role of Nancy Espinal in preserving indigenous culture as mentioned in the script?
-Nancy Espinal, a traditional healer and the daughter of indigenous migrants, has worked to rediscover her roots and preserve ancestral wisdom by becoming a full-time traditional healer.
Why did Carmen Rodriguez establish a cultural center in the hills above Mexico City?
-Carmen Rodriguez established a cultural center to teach the next generation about their ancestry and to help preserve the dying culture of the Aztecs.
What is the connection between the indigenous culture and Mexico's modern-day challenges as suggested by the script?
-The script suggests that by understanding and preserving the indigenous culture, Mexico can address modern-day challenges such as violence and social inequality.
How does the script portray the future of Mexico in relation to its indigenous past?
-The script portrays a future for Mexico that is closely tied to its indigenous past, suggesting that embracing and learning from this past can lead to a brighter future.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 La Danza: Celebrating Mesoamerican Heritage

In Mexico City, a borough with over a million residents gathers for a unique funeral ceremony known as La Danza, a ritual deeply rooted in Mesoamerican history. Jaime Santos and Jorge Coyote are among the dancers who, despite not regularly performing, view this not as mere entertainment but as a profound connection to their ancestors. Sergio Santiago, the organizer, emphasizes that this is a remembrance of a subjugated people's history. The narrative delves into Mexico's painful past, marked by the Spanish conquest in 1519, which led to the suppression of indigenous culture and the establishment of a caste system favoring European descent. This historical context is crucial for understanding the ongoing struggle against racism and the importance of preserving indigenous culture and language in modern Mexico.

05:29

🌐 Indigenous Identity in Modern Mexico

The script explores the pervasive racism in Mexican society, where marketing predominantly features Caucasian models, and the term 'indian' is derogatory. The example of Yalitza Aparicio, an indigenous actress, facing mockery for her features despite her Oscar nomination, highlights ongoing discrimination. Professor Ivan Gomez Cesar, an anthropologist, discusses how Mexico's self-image is shaped by its past. The narrative then shifts to Mexico City, now a mega-city with 23 million inhabitants, where internal migration has created a distinct culture. The Indigenous University of Mexico City, located in the marginalized district of Chimalwakan, is at the forefront of preserving native culture and supporting first-generation indigenous migrants. With over 56 indigenous languages and numerous tribal subcategories, the university's mission is to give a voice to the nearly unheard indigenous communities within the city.

10:39

🌿 Rediscovering Indigenous Roots and Wisdom

Nancy Espinal, a dentist by profession, discovered her indigenous roots and traditional medicine, leading her to become a full-time traditional healer. Her journey began at a dance ceremony and reflects a broader trend of individuals reconnecting with their ancestral wisdom. Carmen Rodriguez, at 87, is another example; despite her parents speaking Nahuatl, the Aztec language, they did not pass it on. Carmen has since rediscovered her mother tongue and now runs a cultural center to educate the next generation about their heritage. The narrative suggests that understanding and preserving this dying culture is not just for historical interest but is essential for addressing contemporary challenges, such as violence, and for envisioning a brighter future for Mexico.

16:07

🌟 Embracing the Past for a Brighter Future

The final paragraph encapsulates the belief of many indigenous individuals that Mexico's future is intricately linked to its past. It suggests that by embracing and understanding their indigenous roots, Mexico can overcome modern challenges and achieve a more promising future. The script concludes on a hopeful note, emphasizing the importance of indigenous culture as a source of strength and inspiration for the nation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica refers to a historical region in the Americas that stretches from central Mexico to Guatemala. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and was home to advanced pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Aztecs and the Maya. In the video, Mesoamerica is mentioned as the region from which the ritual of La Danza originates, highlighting the deep historical roots of the cultural practices being discussed.

💡La Danza

La Danza is a ritual dance that is central to the video's narrative. It is a tradition deeply rooted in Mesoamerican history, particularly associated with the Aztec culture. The video describes a community in Mexico City coming together to perform La Danza as a way to connect with their ancestors and to honor their dead, showcasing the ongoing significance of this ritual in contemporary cultural practices.

💡Aztecs

The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican civilization that existed in central Mexico during the post-classic period. They are known for their rich culture and the vast empire they established. In the video, the Aztecs are mentioned as the original inhabitants of the land where modern Mexico City stands, emphasizing the historical connection between the Aztec civilization and the cultural practices being celebrated.

💡Cultural Suppression

Cultural suppression refers to the deliberate effort to stifle or eliminate the cultural expressions, languages, and traditions of a particular group, often by a dominant culture or authority. The video discusses how, following the Spanish conquest, the indigenous cultures of Mexico, including their languages, rituals, and customs, were suppressed, leading to a long-lasting impact on the indigenous people's identity and heritage.

💡Indigenous

Indigenous peoples are the original inhabitants of a particular geographic area, who are often distinct from other populations due to their historical presence, culture, language, or other social and cultural characteristics. The video highlights the struggles of indigenous people in Mexico, who have faced discrimination and marginalization, and it underscores the importance of preserving and celebrating their culture and heritage.

💡Racism

Racism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination and prejudice. In the context of the video, racism is discussed as a persistent issue in Mexican society, where indigenous people are often treated as second-class citizens and their cultural heritage is undervalued. The video points out that despite the majority of the population having Meso-American genetics, racism and a superiority complex are still prevalent.

💡Indigenous University

The Indigenous University mentioned in the video is an institution dedicated to preserving native culture and supporting indigenous people, particularly those who have migrated to the capital. It plays a crucial role in the video's narrative by representing an effort to counteract the effects of cultural suppression and to empower indigenous communities through education and cultural preservation.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity refers to the sense of belonging to a group that shares common cultural characteristics, such as language, traditions, and beliefs. The video explores the importance of cultural identity for indigenous people in Mexico, who are striving to maintain and reclaim their cultural heritage in the face of historical and ongoing discrimination.

💡Traditional Medicine

Traditional medicine encompasses the practices, knowledge, and therapies used in various cultures for maintaining health and treating illness. In the video, traditional medicine is exemplified through the story of Nancy Espinal, who, after a career as a dentist, chose to become a full-time traditional healer. This shift underscores the value placed on preserving and revitalizing indigenous knowledge and practices.

💡Cultural Center

A cultural center is a place dedicated to the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage, often through education, exhibitions, and community events. Carmen Rodriguez, an 87-year-old woman featured in the video, runs a cultural center that teaches the next generation about their ancestry. This initiative is part of a broader effort to keep indigenous cultures alive and relevant in contemporary society.

💡Internal Migration

Internal migration refers to the movement of people within a country, from one region to another. The video mentions internal migration as a factor that has contributed to the diversity of Mexico City's culture. It has also led to the creation of communities where indigenous people can maintain and share their cultural practices, despite being in an urban environment far from their ancestral lands.

Highlights

Mexico City borough hosts a community mourning ritual with deep historical roots.

La Danza is a ritual that connects participants to their Mesoamerican heritage.

Jaime Santos is a dancer representing the cultural significance of the ritual.

Jorge Coyote, a professional transformer, participates in the ritual.

The ritual is a memory of subjugated people, passed down through generations.

Mexico's history is marked by domination and subjugation, including the Spanish conquest in 1519.

The Aztec civilization was dominant before the Spanish conquest.

The Spanish established a social caste system favoring European descent.

Racism and a superiority complex are still evident in Mexican society.

Mexico City's Indigenous University seeks to preserve native culture.

Despite having Meso-American genetics, racism is prevalent in Mexico.

The university aims to help indigenous migrants and preserve their culture.

Nancy Espinal, a traditional healer, rediscovers her roots and ancestral wisdom.

Carmen Rodriguez, at 87, teaches her community about their ancestry and the Nahuatl language.

Cultural leaders believe that embracing Mexico's indigenous past can address modern challenges.

The future of Mexico is seen by some as being closely tied to its indigenous heritage.