Mexico City, Mexico - August 09, 2024

Indigenous people in Mexico celebrated the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on Friday with a colorful parade along Mexico City's iconic Paseo de la Reforma avenue, showcasing their commitment to preserving their traditions and languages.

Participants from diverse indigenous communities in the parade wore traditional costumes and presented traditional music and dance.

Mexico is a country with a rich tapestry of cultural and linguistic diversity. The 68 indigenous languages spoken in the country are not just for communication; they hold immense cultural significance, embodying traditions, knowledge, and the identity of their speakers. This wealth of languages positions Mexico as one of the most culturally rich countries in Latin America.

Minerva Sanchez Alva, the parade organizer, is one of the 1.7 million Nahua people in Mexico who speak Nahuatl. She said the event showcased their dedication to preserving indigenous languages.

Numerous indigenous languages in Mexico face extinction, with only a few speakers remaining. This risk not only endangers linguistic diversity but also erodes distinct cultural identities and historical stories held within these languages.

Mexico's indigenous languages are invaluable cultural treasures, making their preservation crucial for both the speaking communities and Mexico's collective memory and identity.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 1994 to designate August 9 as the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

According to the UN, there are an estimated 476 million indigenous peoples in the world living across 90 countries, making up less than 6 percent of the world's population. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world's estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.

Shotlist:
Mexico City, Mexico - Aug 9, 2024:
1. Various of indigenous people dressed in traditional costumes, dancing in parade;
2. SOUNDBITE (Nahuatl, dubbed in English) Minerva Sanchez Alva, parade organizer:
"Today we're celebrating the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, and we continue speaking our language so that it does not die.";
3. Various of indigenous people dressed in traditional costumes, dancing in parade along Paseo de la Reforma avenue.

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