The Nahuatl people of Durango and Nayarit are known as Mexicaneros. The word "mexicanero" is composed of the root "Mexican" and the derivational suffix "ero." The root corresponds to "Meshikan" (the 'x' is pronounced 'sh'), the word that people use to refer to their language. A person would be called a "Meshika." The suffix 'ero' comes from Spanish, which is added in order to designate one who speaks "Mexican". Other Spanish words are constructed similarly, such as zapatero - someone who makes zapatos (shoes), or jardinero – someone who takes care of a jardin (garden). It should be noted that the 'r' sound does not appear in the sound system of Mexicanero. It's also important to add that this is a dialectal variation of Náhuatl in which all words end in 't,' hence the name Nahuat. Durango Nahuat should not be referred to with the usual 'tl' ending, because it is offensive to Mexicaneros.
The Mexicaneros are a small group of several hundred people, who live in a remote area in the Western Sierra Madre mountains, along the border of Durango and Nayarit. They grow crops and raise livestock. Corn, squash and amaranth form the basis of their diet, though they also hunt game and gather wild fruits. Although they have incorporated various elements of Catholicism into their religion, they've retained their pre-Columbian worship practices with regard to the sun and moon, Venus, the eagle, and the deer. At this time, there are very few known believers in the group. More than 10 years ago, a process of preevangelism through community service was initiated. At that time, community development projects like the provision of drinkable water, a dental clinic, and literacy were used. A Bible translation project has also been started in this language.
* Scripture Prayers for the Nahuatl, Western Durango in Mexico.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
Expanded PDF Profile |
People Name General | Nahuatl, Western Durango |
People Name in Country | Nahuatl, Western Durango |
Pronunciation | NAH-wahtl, WEH-stern doo-RAHN-goh |
Natural Name | Western Durango Nahuatl |
Natural Pronunciation | WEH-stern doo-RAHN-goh NAH-wahtl |
Population this Country | 1,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 3 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
Alternate Names | Huicot Aztec; Huicot Aztec, Mexicanero; Mexicanero |
People ID | 12142 |
ROP3 Code | 103899 |
Country | Mexico | ||
Region | America, Latin | ||
Continent | North America | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 37 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Durango state: Mezquital municipality, Alacranes, Curachitos de Buenavista, San Agustin de Buenaventura, San Diego, Tepalcates, and Tepetates II (Berenjenas); Nayarit state: Acaponeta municipality, El Duraznito, La Laguna, Mesa de las Arpas, and Santa Cruz. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Mexico |
Region | America, Latin |
Continent | North America |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 37 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Durango state: Mezquital municipality, Alacranes, Curachitos de Buenavista, San Agustin de Buenaventura, San Diego, Tepalcates, and Tepetates II (Berenjenas); Nayarit state: Acaponeta municipality, El Duraznito, La Laguna, Mesa de las Arpas, and Santa Cruz.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Language | Nahuatl, Western Durango (1,000 speakers) |
Language Code | azn Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Nahuatl, Western Durango (1,000 speakers) |
Language Code | azn Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Nahuatl, Western Durango |
Primary Language: Nahuatl, Western Durango
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2017) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Text / Printed Matter | Online Bible text (Scripture Earth) |
Primary Religion: | Christianity |
Religion Subdivision: | Independent |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 2.00 %) |
75.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
22.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
3.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Christian Segments ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Anglican |
0.0 %
|
Independent |
50.0 %
|
Orthodox |
0.0 %
|
Other Christian |
0.0 %
|
Protestant |
20.0 %
|
Roman Catholic |
30.0 %
|