Sierra Oriental Otomi in Mexico

The Sierra Oriental Otomi have only been reported in Mexico
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Otomi speakers of southern Mexico share their mountain homeland in close proximity with three other cultural communities. This arrangement started in the 17th century when Spanish governors gathered small, scattered populations together "within the sound of the bell," to give administrators and missionaries better control over the indigenous populations.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Across hillside fields, Sierra Oriental Otomi families plant maize, beans, and chili peppers they will eat. People also raise coffee or sugar cane as cash crops. Though some keep domestic fowl for personal use, they do not typically raise any livestock. And today, many migrate to cities for better jobs.

Several Otomi villages produce colorful, decorative clothing. Women still typically wear dresses and blouses with this embroidery. They also sell their stitchery, varying in size and intricacy, from small napkins and blouses to large bedspreads.

People have learned to make paper from the bark of several specific fig tree varieties. Local painters covet this bark paper called "amate" for their art. Talented Otomi also design jewelry, beads, and small bags.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In their largest town, as many as 70 percent of the residents may claim they are Christians. And in the wider region, it's about 20 percent. Despite those positive numbers, most Otomi believers also venerate the spirit world.


What Are Their Needs?

Many have not learned that the one, true God of the Bible has ultimate authority in both the natural and the spirit. They need work of the Holy Spirit to reveal to them who Jesus is.


Prayer Items

Pray for the Lord to give the Sierra Oriental Otomi people an abundant harvest as a testimony of his power and goodness.
Pray for Sierra Oriental Otomi Christian believers to lead others towards a Christ-oriented spirituality.
Pray for disciples who will make more disciples who will make even more disciples.


Scripture Prayers for the Otomi, Sierra Oriental in Mexico.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Otomi, Sierra Oriental
People Name in Country Otomi, Sierra Oriental
Natural Name Sierra Oriental Otomi
Pronunciation see-AIR-ah or-ee-en-TAHL oh-toh-MEE
Alternate Names Eastern Otomi; Otomi de la Sierra; Sierra; Sierra, Eastern
Population this Country 61,000
Population all Countries 61,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 14940
ROP3 Code 108991
Country Mexico
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Hidalgo state: Huehuetla, Otomi de la Sierra Baja, Otomi-Tepehua, and San Bartolo Tutotepec municipalities; Puebla state: Pahuatlan, Pantepec, Tlacuilotepec, Tlaxco municipalities; Veracruz state: Ixhuatlan de Madero and Tlachichilco municipalities.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Mexico
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Hidalgo state: Huehuetla, Otomi de la Sierra Baja, Otomi-Tepehua, and San Bartolo Tutotepec municipalities; Puebla state: Pahuatlan, Pantepec, Tlacuilotepec, Tlaxco municipalities; Veracruz state: Ixhuatlan de Madero and Tlachichilco municipalities..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 5.00 %)
80.00 %
Ethnic Religions
20.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.