macehualli
The English word 'indigenous' is translated into Nahuatl as macehualli.
The term macehualli is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is born in, engendered in or native to a specific land or region.
Meaning: born or engendered in, native to a land or region (adj)
Did you know?
- In classical texts, macehualiztli is the act of 'redeeming' or 'saving', which shares the same linguistic root as macehualli.
- In many Nahuatl-speaking communities today, the term macehualli is rarely used to describe people, as it can carry a historical connotation of being 'of low status'.
- While macehualli means 'indigenous' or 'commoner', it was used in the Aztec social hierarchy to distinguish the working people from the nobility.
Example conversation
Citlali and José are discussing the local culture of their town.
- CitlaliCitlali, ¿tlein tiquitta inin tlalpan?Citlali, what do you see in this land?
- JoséNiquitta macehualli tlacayotl,I see indigenous culture,
- CitlaliInin tlalpan macehualli ca,This land is indigenous,
- JoséQuiza nican tlacatl macehualli cenca chicahuac.Perhaps the indigenous people here are very strong.
