Norte Tepehua in Mexico

The Norte Tepehua have only been reported in Mexico
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Tepehuan are an indigenous people living in Mexico’s northern state of Durango. Their name means “mountain dweller” or “mountain people.” Their language is divided into three groups. One of these is Norte Tepehuan.
During the days of the Aztec Empire, the Tepehuan controlled much of what is now northern Mexico. The Spanish Empire conquered the Aztecs, then began moving north. Eventually they used Mexico’s northern region for ranching and mining. Tepehuan contact with the Spaniards stared with Roman Catholic missionaries, both Jesuit and Franciscan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Norte Tepehuan are farmers. They grow crops and raise livestock. They especially value horses for transportation and burros as pack animals. A smaller number of them are involved with local trade or the lumber industry.
They have a strange marital custom where the groom brings the bride back to his parent’s home. They live together until the anger of family leaders dies down. Inheritance follows a patrilineal pattern unless there are no sons. In that case, daughters get the family inheritance. Norte Tepehuan families are usually nuclear, but sometimes a widowed parent or grandparent lives with them.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Norte Tepehuan have blended Roman Catholicism and indigenous practices. They associate God the Father with their sun god and Jesus with the moon god. The Catholic saints have roles much like minor gods. They associate Mary with the Virgin of Guadalupe. Some Tepehuan subgroups celebrate Holy Week much like other Roman Catholics. Many of their beliefs have pre-Christian roots such as the elote. This is a first fruits celebration that involves thanksgiving to the gods. Shamans are called upon to “bring god down” to earth in attempts to protect themselves from sickness and witchcraft.


What Are Their Needs?

The Norte Tepehuan need Christ-centered spiritual lives.


Prayer Points

Pray for a Christ-centered revival among all three Tepehuan subgroups that will bless them abundantly.
Pray for Christ loving Norte Tepehuan disciples to show others the way to victory in Jesus.
Pray for the Lord to bless their crops in such a way they understand he alone is worthy of thanksgiving and worship.


Scripture Prayers for the Tepehuan, Norte in Mexico.


References

https://indigenousmexico.org/durango/indigenous-durango-land-of-the-tepehuanes/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tepehu%C3%A1n
https://www.everyculture.com/Middle-America-Caribbean/Tepehuan-of-Chihuahua-History-and-Cultural-Relations.html
https://read.dukeupress.edu/hahr/article/50/3/603/152648/The-Tepehuan-of-Chihuahua-Their-Material-Culture


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tepehuan, Norte
People Name in Country Tepehuan, Norte
Natural Name Norte Tepehua
Pronunciation NOR-tay teh-pay-WAHN
Alternate Names Northern Tepehuan; Tepehuan, Northern
Population this Country 7,600
Population all Countries 7,600
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 14034
ROP3 Code 107464
Country Mexico
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 37  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Chihuahua state: Baborigame area; Sinaloa state: Choix municipality, border area.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Mexico
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 37  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Chihuahua state: Baborigame area; Sinaloa state: Choix municipality, border area..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
10.00 %
Ethnic Religions
90.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tepehuan, Northern (7,600 speakers)
Language Code ntp   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tepehuan, Northern (7,600 speakers)
Language Code ntp   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tepehuan, Northern
Photo Source Thelmadatter - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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