Timumachtikan Nawat, a virtual Nahuat school in El Salvador, is organizing a special project this summer. We plan to take local students to Santo Domingo de Guzman, a small town in Sonsonate where there is a community of native Nahuat speakers. The objective is to spend the day with the elders, recording audio of Nahuat words to upload to Wiktionary for the newly launched Nahuat language Wikipedia page. There are only 39 Nahuat speakers left in the town, all of whom are elders. This project will help us preserve the language and their voices for future generations, while also bringing visibility to our language revitalization efforts on a global platform.

The funds raised will go directly to compensating seven Nahuat-speaking elders for their time and buying lunch for everyone involved in the day's activities. This is more than just a courtesy, historically, outsiders have often taken from the Nahua community without proper compensation. We want to ensure that the elders are respected and fairly treated for their invaluable contributions.

The History

Nearly 100 years ago, tens of thousands of indigenous people were massacred in El Salvador. Their language, culture, and dress were outlawed, and we nearly lost all connections to our indigenous identity. A few brave Nahuas safeguarded the language and taught it to their children. Those children are now the elders who are teaching it to us today.

The Future

By donating to this cause, you become part of the language revitalization efforts, help us reconnect to our indigenous roots, and safeguard Nahuat for future generations. By showing up for the elders, we send the message that they are not forgotten and that they are not alone. Together, we can help honor their legacy and all they have sacrificed to pass on Nahuat to the next generation.