The Ma Hñäkihu Hñähñu organization, made up of speakers of this native language in Buncombe County, reported that, as of May 3, they will begin to dictate Hñähñu language and culture classes for those who want to regain contact with their indigenous roots or want to reconnect with their culture.
In the area of the city of Asheville and Buncombe County, it is estimated that there are about 200 people who speak Hñahñu, an indigenous language also known as Otomi, spoken mainly in various regions of central Mexico.
"Well, there may be about 80 or 100 families in total," he assures. Enlace Latino NC Abel González, who together with Graciela Pérez are in charge of the Hñähñu course.
With a focus on young people
Although the project has existed for 4 years and teaches language courses to children, it organizes a annual festival and focuses on promoting Otomi culture, this time they have decided to focus on transmitting the culture and language to young people between 10 and 22 years old.
“We want to focus on young people, who are largely unfamiliar with their parents' culture, their language, and where they come from,” Abel said.
"We want to create a commitment between parents and young people, a commitment from parents to teach their language, to speak it at home, to pass it on to their children. And also a commitment from young people to learn their parents' language, to have this small return to the language, to the Hñähñu culture," he explained.
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Personalized hñähñu : free course
The course will last 10 weeks and is free to access. The first session will focus on sealing the commitment among adult speakers to transmit their knowledge to young people and their predisposition to learn more about the culture where they come from.
The sessions will then focus on learning the basics of language and culture. "It's all about reconnecting with our roots because many families leave this in the past and don't pass it on to their children."
That is why the objective of organization Ma Hñäkihu Hñähñu It is to revive the love and pride for your ancestral language and culture.
Hñähñu classes will be held on Fridays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at the La Esperanza building, located at 528 Emma Road, Asheville.
From the organization, they highlighted that those who want to register or obtain more information can contact (828) 458-6734.
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Hñähñu, a Native American language
Hñähñu is an indigenous language of Mexico, part of the Otomanguean family. It is spoken mainly in the states of Hidalgo, Mexico, Querétaro, Puebla and Guanajuato.
This language has a rich oral tradition and is known for its tonal structure and use of nasalization.
Despite modern challenges such as cultural assimilation and migration, Otomi remains a crucial part of the identity and cultural heritage of its speakers.
The Hñähñu language has existed for 6,500 years, a fact that makes it the oldest language in Mesoamerica.
According to data from the National Institute of Indigenous Languages of Mexico (INALI), there are approximately 285,000 Otomi speakers in Mexico.
Additionally, a significant number of Otomi migrants reside in the United States, although the exact numbers of speakers there are difficult to determine due to the lack of specific studies on this population abroad.
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