Chinanteco, Valle Nacional in Mexico

People Name:	Chinanteco, Valle Nacional
Country:	Mexico
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	600
World Population:	600
Primary Language:	Chinantec, Valle Nacional
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	95.00 %
Evangelicals:	50.00 %
Scripture:	Unspecified
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Zapoteco
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Chinanteco refers to a group of Oto-Manguean languages spoken in Veracruz and Oaxaca in southern Mexico. They are mutually unintelligible, so some linguists consider them to be separate languages rather than dialects. One of these is Valle Nacional.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Valle Nacional Chinanteco grow corn, beans, cassava and yams for their own consumption. They raise chickens for their meat. For cash crops they grow tobacco and coffee. The women make beautiful embroideries for sale. They are phasing out weaving and handicrafts.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Valle Nacional Chinantecos are solidly Roman Catholic, but many of them maintain the rituals of their traditional beliefs. For example, they do homage to the corn and mountain gods and goddesses. They have a strong Christian presence, however.

What Are Their Needs?

The Valle Nacional Chinantecos need a steady income and food supply. They are vulnerable to the whims of nature.

Prayer Points

Pray for an abundant harvest for the Valle Nacional Chinantecos as proof of God’s power and goodness.
Pray for Chinanteco Christian believers to disciple others in the ways of Christ.
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will give them openness to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to do a deep work in Chinanteco churches in the coming years.