Introduction / History

The Lenca people were conquered by the Spanish Empire in the 1520s. Forced labor and European diseases drastically reduced their population.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They were able to retain their communal land for farming; each Lanca family has a plot to work on. They use tradition tools like hoes. Like most people in this part of the world, the Lenca grow mostly corn, beans and squash. They also grow wheat, bananas, oranges, chiles, yucca and sugarcane. Because farmland is communal, there are few things for the younger generation to inherit. Others get paid as miners or as farm workers on banana or coffee plantations. They often come to town for fiestas and market day.

The Lenca language is dying. They are in the process of merging with the majority Spanish speaking culture.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Lenca are Roman Catholic, and they believe in God as creator. Their devotion is to the Virgin Mary and the saints. The saints are basically their ancient gods with new names. Since medical care is rarely available, the Lenca people depend on traditional curanderos, faith healers. This often involves the use of herbal remedies.

What Are Their Needs?

The Lenca people need to put Jesus Christ first in their devotional lives. He is the way, the truth and the life. As it stands, it appears he is secondary to devotion to saints.

Prayer Points

Pray for Lenca elders to discover Jesus and make him known to others in their communities.

Pray for medical clinics in Lenca villages that offer modern medicine.

Pray for Lenca disciples who will make other disciples.

Scripture Prayers for the Lenca in El Salvador.

References

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lenca

https://minorityrights.org/minorities/lencas/

https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/lenca