The Nahuatl peoples have the ancient and powerful Aztecs as their ancestors. Their language was the trade language of the Aztec Empire. Linguists can trace modern Nahuatl languages back to the Aztecs who lived in the same locations centuries ago. They often called themselves "Mexicano" from which Mexico was named. Together the Nahuatls make up between one fifth and one fourth of Mexico’s indigenous population. There are many Nahuatl languages including the Michoacan dialect. Through the last 500 years, there have been many borrowed words in Spanish and even English with Nahuatl roots. Avocado, chipotle, chili, chocolate, tomato and coyote are all examples of Nahuatl words adopted into Spanish and English.
Most Nahuatl speakers live in central Mexico where their ancestors lived long before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.
Puebla Sierra Nahuatl people eke out an existence by growing corn, beans, squash and chili peppers. Many grow coffee and sugar cane as a cash crop. They raise livestock for food and use donkeys as draft animals. They make their own rope and bricks. Some have tried to make and sell crafts such as clothes, pottery and baskets for a living, but this is becoming more difficult.
The more fortunate Nahuatl people work in the tourist industry. There are Nahuatl women who own and operate motels which cater to wealthy Mexican tourists. They often hire other Nahuatl people. Most are generous with their profits, sharing them with Nahuatls who are less fortunate. There is a strong sense of community among them.
Like all other peoples, rural Nahuatl look to elders for wisdom and advice. Their families include a father, a mother and children. Nahuatl boys are given land often by age nine so they can learn the responsibility that goes with cultivation. Their sisters look after small children while the mother does her chores. Girls marry in their late teens while boys marry in their 20s. They usually marry within their villages unless they have run out of possible mates that aren’t cousins. The Nahuatl don’t consider it a complete marriage until they bear children.
Like most indigenous peoples of Mexico, the Puebla Sierra Nahuatl have elements of their ancient religious practices blended in with Roman Catholicism. Their ancestors replaced the ancient gods with Catholic saints and look to them for their needs. When the gospel gets diluted or compromised by ancient practices, we call it syncretism.
There are various degrees of syncretism among the Nahuatl. Some have embraced a Christ-centered faith while others dilute it with pre-Colombian gods and rituals.
Like people everywhere, the Puebla Sierra Nahuatl people need to put all their hope and faith in Jesus Christ. He alone died to pay for their sins and offers victory over death for eternity.
Pray for the Lord to bless Puebla Sierra households and communities economically and spiritually so they will know the power and love of God.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully among the Puebla Sierra Nahuatl people, drawing them to the cross and the empty grave.
Pray for the Lord to do whatever it takes to turn Nahuatl hearts away from spirits that come to deceive and derail living faith.
Pray for Puebla Sierra Nahuatl disciples to make more disciples.
Scripture Prayers for the Nahuatl, Puebla Sierra in Mexico.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahuatl
https://www.thoughtco.com/nahuatl-language-of-aztecs-171906
https://digitalworks.union.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1724&context=steinmetzsymposium
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nahua
https://wiki.ge
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Nahuatl, Puebla Sierra |
People Name in Country | Nahuatl, Puebla Sierra |
Natural Name | Puebla Sierra Nahuatl |
Pronunciation | see-AY-dah NAH-wahtl |
Alternate Names | Nahuatl; Nahuatl de la Sierra de Puebla; Nahuatl, Sierra Aztec; Nahuatl, Sierra Puebla |
Population this Country | 221,000 |
Population all Countries | 221,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 3 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 4 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 18853 |
ROP3 Code | 114686 |
ROP25 Code | 305803 |
ROP25 Name | Nahuatl |
Country | Mexico | ||
Region | America, Latin | ||
Continent | North America | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 38 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Puebla state: near Jopala; Veracruz state: south of Entabladero. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Mexico |
Region | America, Latin |
Continent | North America |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 38 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Puebla state: near Jopala; Veracruz state: south of Entabladero.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Christianity |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.70 %) |
95.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
5.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Nahuatl, Highland Puebla (221,000 speakers) |
Language Code | azz Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Nahuatl, Highland Puebla (221,000 speakers) |
Language Code | azz Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Nahuatl, Highland Puebla |
Primary Language: Nahuatl, Highland Puebla
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1946-1962) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1975-2011) |
Bible-Complete | No |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Nahuatl, Highland Puebla | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app (Wycliffe) | SIL |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Nahuatl, Highland Puebla | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Bible app direct APK download | SIL |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Nahuatl, Highland Puebla | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Download scripture in this language | eBible.org |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |