Tz'utujil Maya
Atitlán, Guatemala
Language History
Tz'utjil is an Eastern branch of the Proto-Mayan language tree, which dates back to before 1000 BC. It is spoken in several towns around Lake Atitlán, which can be found in the state of Solola, in South West Guatemala.
**See map below**
It is the most closely related to the Mayan K'iche and Kaqchikel languages, which are also spoken in Solola, surrounding the Tzútujil area. These languages have a few similar grammar components, but are different in pronunciation and words. You can also see that K'iche and Kaqchikel cover much wider geographical regions.
**See map bottom right**
Though this language tree, and all others on the internet, show that Tzútujil derived from Quichean, some say that Tzútujil existed before Quichean did.
Fables and Mythology
The Tz'utjil and the K'iche languages are particularly close and share a story about how the two languages formed and split apart (Each language's version is different).
The Tz'utujil speakers say that the story is a lot like Disney's Pocahontas, but with Central American indigenous groups rather than Native American groups. In the school systems that exist around Lake Atitlan, children are taught that an indigenous Princess fell in love with a Chief. They learn that in real life, the Chief was a politician. The Princess' people thought that the Chief kidnapped her, and a war began, causing later seperation and the rift between the languages.
Mayan Mythology is deeply routed in their culture. Some of the characters and stories can be found here
The picture to the left is part of a mural inside of a resturaunt in San Juan, one of the towns surrounding Lake Atitlan. This type of art work is typically found in the Tz'utujil region.
Guatemala History that Affects the Mayans
I believe that understanding the Guatemalan Mayan history in general, is essential when learning about one of these indigenous Mayan languages. For that reason, I have included a little bit of that information here. Please know that this is just the highlights! Guatemalan history is rich, beautiful, and complicated.
Guatemalan indigenous groups have a long and sad history of oppression. One of these first recorded events occured in the 1500's when Pedro de Alvarado, second in command to Spanish conquerer Hernán Cortés, began his colonization of Central America. His endeavours are especially important to these languages, as they began in the Solola region. Alvarado took up arms with the Cakchiquel tribes and together they fought Cakchiquel's rivals, the K'iche, killing over 72 thousand. The Tz'utujil language and it's people existed during this time. I am sure that they were also invovled and their language affected; there is little to no mention of them during this historical event, likely because they are so small. In 1530, Alvarado turned against the Cakchiquel people and slaughtered them, continuing on to other towns. He eventually reached the Mayan capital, Itza, in northern Guatemala. By this time it was 1697 and the Spanish reigned over Guatemala.
From the late 1600's to the early 1900's, the Guatemalan indigenous Mayans were killed and passed along between Mexican conquerers, Spanish conquerers, and French conquerers. Even some of the larger indigenous groups conquered the smaller ones, hoping to gain more power, and wealth. This in particular, caused a great deal of hurt, revolt and bloodshed. Each of the indigenous regions was valuable for its agricultural resources and exportation. The Mayans that lived peacefully were forced to work in harsh conditions.
This indigenous struggle continued, and the Guatemalan civil war began in 1960. Guatemalan indigenous groups no longer wanted to be treated cruely, and mandated to give their harvest to the government. Guerilla attacks, organized by indigenous people, began on Guatemala City, the capital. The government retaliated brutally. This war ended in 1996 and its effects are still felt. Over 200 thousand indigenous people were killed. It was later found out (This year! In 2015!) that some government officials continued the mass murder of indigenous people, even after The Historical Clarification Commission (Truth Commission) was signed to ensure peace. This genocide led to the 2015 rebellions and internal conflict in Guatemala.
Still, Guatemalan Mayans are often stigmatized and degraded, especially in Guatemala City. They are often pressured away from speaking their native Mayan tongue.
Language Today
Tz'utujil has been recognized as an indigenous Mayan endangered language, though now it is back on the uprise with 17,000 monolinguals. Ethnologue.com says that Tz'utujil is now in the Purple language category (Status 4: Educational). This means that the language has been developed and sustained by institutions outside of the home and the community.
Tz'utujil is being taught in schools again, like many other Mayan languages in Guatemala. Most Tz'utujil children go to school until the fifth grade to learn basic math, reading, and writing skills. After that, a lot of them end their school career and help their parents manage the fields, the business or the home. Older children that do continue to go to school, only attend in the mornings so that they can help their families in the afternoon.
In addition to Tz'utujil being taught in schools, a local library has begun to offer public readings of Tz'utujil books, and elders in the community share their stories with the youth.
A facebook group was also created so the speakers could use Tz'utujil with one another. This is a closed group, so it is free of any negative feedback that they might otherwise receive. This online community has helped the youth to connect with others and encourage them in their Mayan identity and language.
This video explains why some locals believe that their language is dying. It is also about the San Juan Library, Biblioteca Comunitaria Rija'tzuul Na'ooj, and what they are doing to bring back Tz'utujil languae and culture within their community.