Documentation of Nahuat Knowledge of Natural History, Material Culture, and Ecology in the Municipality of Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico

The Endangered Language Documentation Programme (ELDP) provides grants worldwide to for the linguistic documentation of endangered language and knowledge. Grantees create multimedia collection of endangered languages. These collections are preserved and made freely available through the Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR) housed at the library of SOAS University of London.

This project focuses on three interrelated domains of endangered cultural knowledge and linguistic expression: • nomenclature, classification and use of plants in Nahuat communities in the municipality of Cuetzalan, Puebla, Mexico; • the creation of objects of daily use from regional flora; • traditional ecological knowledge. It builds upon experiences and trust Amith has developed after three years of lexicographic work: two native speakers have advanced skills in digital recording, transcription, and ethnographic description; three partnering Indigenous collectives will facilitate work in scores of communities throughout the municipality and are building a cultural center to utilize project results in education and outreach. Primary investigator: Jonathan Amith

Project Details


Location: Mexico, Mexico, Philippines, Central America, South-Eastern Asia, Mexico, Asia, Americas, United States of America Organiser(s): Endangered Languages Documentation Programme Project partner(s): Gettysburg College Funder(s): Arcadia Funding received: £131,032.00 Commencement Date: 01/2009
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