A Glossary for Anthropological Research Referring to Indigenous Peoples of Mexico and Central America

Abstract

Mexico and the countries of Central America are rich with the traditions, cultures, and languages of their indigenous peoples. In Mexico alone, over 25 million people self-identify as indigenous, representing approximately 21% of the population and 62 recognized indigenous languages. In Guatemala, almost 40% of the population is indigenous, with 23 recognized indigenous languages. The other countries—Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Belize—have variable number of surviving indigenous peoples, cultures, and languages. This glossary attempts to briefly introduce the large number of indigenous languages and ethnic groups in this region, together with additional terms that may be useful in conducting anthropological research in Mexico and Central America.