MEXICO AND ITS DIVERSITY

There are more than 56 indigenous villages in Mexico, located in 32 Free and Sovereign States and one Federal District, which make up the Mexican Federation. Mexico’s multicultural character, recognized by its Constitution, is a living example of diversity and the survival of its languages is proof of how difficult it is to annihilate freedom of expression.

We have sought to include writers in original or prevailing indigenous languages to participate in the Congress of the Americas. This is an enormous challenge. For example, in the State of Oaxaca alone there are 16 villages, each with its own language and identifying customs. This is the state called Huaxyácac in Nahuatl, which means "the nose (or the top) of the guaje" [guaje is the seed pod of a tree common to the Oaxaca area]; called Luhulaa or "place of the guajes" in Zapotec; called Ñuhundúa or "land of the guajes" in Mixtec;  Huac Huim or "In the view of the guajes" in Mixe; Nicuhui or "At the top of the guajes" in Chinantec; Naxhintze or "Pile of guajes" in Mazatec; Nahanduva or "Wooden trumpet" in Cuicatec; and in Chocho, it is called Cuncháa or "Head of Authority."

Both Aristotle, in Rhetoric, and Sophocles, in Antigone, highlight the importance of the unwritten voice. It has been this Ancient Word of our natural founders that has survived in memorable poetic pieces.

With the support of all PEN Centers, the Congress of the Americas will be a universal meeting that will try to return dignity and fertility to these languages and their creative voices.