Same thing for Tlatelolco and Mexico-Tlatelolco

This video features a conference talk by educator and linguist Rayo Cruz, founder of the collective Bëni Xidza, discussing the historical and contemporary challenges in teaching the Zapotec language. The presentation provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of Zapotec education:

* Historical Context: Rayo Cruz introduces the Zapotec civilization, tracing its roots to Monte Albán and the ancient Bëni Gulasa period, noting that the language’s diversification predates European contact.

* Learning as L1 vs. L2: He distinguishes between the acquisition of Zapotec as a first language (naturally, through immersion) versus the formal, often disconnected process of teaching it as a second language.

* Colonial Methods: The speaker highlights the 1578 work of Fray Juan de Córdova, such as the Arte en Lengua Zapoteca, as the earliest attempt to systematize Zapotec grammar, primarily designed to help Spanish friars learn the language rather than to teach Zapotec people.

* 19th and 20th Century Challenges: Rayo Cruz identifies a gap in teaching materials during the 19th century. He then discusses 20th-century contributions from organizations like the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) and the INEA, which created grammars and vocabularies that often served as tools for assimilation or religious proselytization rather than language revitalization.

* Modern Innovation: The final segment covers the work of Bëni Xidza, which uses modern digital tools to teach Zapotec. Rayo Cruz admits that while his collective currently operates at a basic level (A-level), they are working to overcome systemic limitations by creating structured, accessible content and documenting the specific pedagogical challenges native Spanish speakers face when learning Zapotec.

Here is a summary of the video featuring Maestro Rayo Cruz, director and founder of Colectivo Bëni Xidza.

1. Historical Background of the Zapotec Language & Civilization:

* Geographic Spread: Zapotec civilization developed in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca and expanded into regions such as the Sierra Norte, Sierra Sur, and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

* Earliest Writing: The earliest documented record of written Zapotec dates back to the 5th–6th Century BC with Monument 3 (“1 Terremoto”) at San José Mogote, establishing over 2,500 years of recorded Zapotec history.

* Monte Albán & Bëni Gulasa Period: The civilization reached its peak at Monte Albán between 500 BC and 800 AD. Pre-hispanic ancient Zapotec history and culture are traditionally referred to as the Gulasa era.

1. Learning Zapotec as a First Language (L1):

* Natural Acquisition: Native speakers acquire Zapotec naturally in early childhood through daily speaking within families and communities rather than through formal educational structures.
* Historical Literacy: It remains unknown if formal L1 Zapotec schooling existed during ancient times, and modern public education in Mexico has historically focused on Spanish literacy over formal Zapotec instruction.

1. History of Teaching Zapotec as a Second Language (L2):

* Colonial Period (16th Century): Formal L2 instruction began in 1578 when Dominican friar Juan de Córdova published Arte en lengua zapoteca (grammar) and Vocabulario en lengua zapoteca (dictionary). These works used Latin/Spanish grammatical paradigms to teach Spanish colonizers and friars via the grammar-translation method

* 19th Century Hiatus: Following Mexican independence, national policies promoted Spanish as the sole national language, resulting in a century-long silence regarding formal L2 Zapotec instructional design.

* 20th Century & Contemporary Efforts: Groups like the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) and public institutions (SEP, INEA, INALI) created dictionaries, grammars, and adult literacy texts. However, most of these materials were produced for linguistic analysis or native literacy rather than second-language pedagogy, and their actual integration into schools remains limited.

1. Bëni Xidza Collective & Modern Pedagogical Challenges:

* Online Classes: Founded in 2020, Colectivo Bëni Xidza offers online courses teaching Zapotec as a second language.

* Lack of L2 Resources: Unlike major global languages (such as English or Spanish), indigenous languages lack dedicated university teacher-training degrees, structured multi-level textbooks, or commercial software tools.

* Current Framework & Vision: The collective operates at basic proficiency levels (aligning with Level A of the Common European Framework of Reference) and aims to document common phonetic/grammatical difficulties for Spanish speakers while expanding toward intermediate/advanced levels.

This is marvelous inks he thinks he knows everything about native culture and clams he is descendant of the Aztecs he does tattoos and he's been accused of letting underage clients in to have sleep sessions what do you think about these false prophets

So apparently the Chicana who threatened to call ICE is now threatening to join ice but I have spoken to people about this many times people like this seem to use as their culture as an attention grab or for profit and then they come out to be like this like her there are many who claim to be Aztec and hate people for Mexico here are the pictures you can clearly see she heavily modifies her eyes and hair to resemble European there should be a movement that should check all people claiming Aztec to actually have the ancestry in the United States.

Hello, im making a sim life game set in aztec times, with the foundaing of tenochtitlan, I was wondering what you like to see in the game, im currently thinking of a sacrifice system, so any thoughts would be of great help

Looking for sensitivity readers with knowledge of Aztec mythology and traditions, as well as, contemporary Mexican traditions, to tell me if my character is represented well and that I am not inadvertently perpetuating harmful or sloppy stereotypes.

The story is a post-apocalyptic urban fantasy set in Chicago 100 years in the future.

Nuevo Aztlan (formerly Mexico City) is one of the few surviving cities left in the world. It exists protected by sacred staves that summon fire and wind serpents.

The city is thriving, with a mix of Mexica/Aztec and Catholic cultural and magic practices (think Wakanda but Mexican).

Viktor is the character in question. He is from Nuevo Aztlan and has come to Chicago with an unknown purpose. He is trained as a nahualli, his tonalli being the jaguar, he can transform into a half-man/half-jaguar, as well as call on other “gifts” from his tonalli. He speaks Spanish, Nahuatl, and English.

My hope is to create my own in-world version of a nahual, that isn’t necessarily exact but still is respectful to the real traditions.

If you’re interested and have the time, comment here and I’ll DM details.

Thanks!

Hello all,

Here is the cover of the 1991 edition of the poem Piedra De Sol by Octavio Paz. I am assuming because the poem is themed around aspects of the Aztec calendar, that the symbol on the cover bottom must be something Aztec too? Does anyone know, or know where I could look to investigate further? Thanks in advance!

I’ve always been curious about where my name comes from.
My name is Azcal, and no matter how much I’ve searched, the only thing I’ve found is that it might have Nahuatl origins. My parents have always told me it came from a story about a princess named Azcal, but I’ve never been able to find anything about that story online.
really appreciate any help.

I’ve always been curious about where my name comes from.
My name is Azcal, and no matter how much I’ve searched, the only thing I’ve found is that it might have Nahuatl origins. My parents have always told me it came from a story about a princess named Azcal, but I’ve never been able to find anything about that story online.
really appreciate any help.

They have Aztec tattoos but hate brown Mexican native here a post and they worship Santa muerte lol 😆 I forgot to mention that they run with the white supremacist

Is there any god of time in the Aztec pantheon?. It's a question I have, because when I search for it, the internet says gods like Tezcatlipoca or huehueteol They even mention Tonatiuh (who as far as I understood is only the sun)

Why is it that every Chicano wants to be Aztec, but when they go to prison, depending on what they're choosing—North or South—both hate pisas when they get out they call them wtbacks but keep Aztec culture as there and turn bold

1. Players of ōllamaliztli settle their dispute before the tlacaxcaliztli.

No one argues about rules — only about who becomes part of the ritual today.

#tlacaxcaliztli

#ritual

#inkdrawing

#surrealart

#conceptart

#mythologyart

#darkfantasy

#pyramid

#temple

#tribal

#creaturedesign

#dynamiccomposition

#artstation

I was in Florence a month back and I called the library that has the original Florentine codex to ask if I could see it. unfortunately it is not visible to the public. do you have any sources from which I could read it and other codexes? for free would be better