Nahuatl, Guerrero in United States

Introduction / History

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 Guerrero 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. A small number of Guerrero Nahuatl have migrated to the United States as migrant workers.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In the United States, Guerrero Nahuatls socialize with others from Mexico, both indigenous and Latinos. They become more like the Latinos as time progresses. Sometimes their families suffer when a Guerrero man is away from southern Mexico for months at a time.
Like all other peoples, rural Nahuatl look to elders for wisdom and advice. Their families include a father, a mother, and children. Girls look after small children while their mothers do their chores. The Nahuatl don't consider it a complete marriage until they bear children.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Like most indigenous peoples of Mexico, the Guerrero 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.

What Are Their Needs?

Like people everywhere, the 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.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to bless Guerrero Nahuatl 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 Guerrero 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 Guerrero Nahuatl disciples to make more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project