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Not all Mexican citizens speak only Spanish. Besides the dozens of indigenous languages, in several areas of Mexico like Chihuahua, Campeche, Zacatecas, Quintana Roo, there are people who speak Plattdeutsch. There are different varieties of this language in Germany, Holland, Ukraine, Canada, Mexico. The one that is spoken in Mexico has a base of Prussian grammar and vocabulary from Dutch, some Scandinavian roots, Russian, Ukrainian, English and Spanish. This is an example of this language spoken in Chihuahua. There are thousands and thousands of Pattdeutsch speaking people in this region and they speak 3 languages, because they also speak Spanish and English, and sometimes they learn standard German in elementary school. No, a German-speaking person cannot understand this. Fortunately, this video has Spanish subtitles.
Mennonites arrived in Mexico primarily from Canada in 1922, seeking land and religious freedom. They settled in the northern states of Chihuahua, Durango, and Zacatecas, and established tight-knit, self-sufficient communities. Today, there are well over 100,000 Mennonites living in Mexico.
Mennonites in Mexico have a unique culture that combines traditional Mennonite beliefs and practices with some influences from the local Mexican culture. They have maintained their distinctive dress, language, and religious practices, while also adapting to the local environment and incorporating some elements of Mexican culture into their own.
One of the most significant contributions of Mennonites to Mexican society is their agricultural expertise. They are skilled farmers who use traditional techniques such as horse-drawn plows and hand tools. They have introduced new crops to the region and have also developed innovative farming techniques that conserve water and protect the environment.
Mennonites in Mexico have also made significant contributions to the local economy. They have established successful businesses in areas such as dairy farming, cheese production, and woodworking.
However, Mennonites in Mexico also face challenges, such as maintaining their traditional way of life in an increasingly modern and globalized world. Some members of the community have left to seek better economic opportunities in Canada, while others have moved to South American countries to stay away from the comforts of modern life.
These families often have ten or more children. It is said that they could double their population in Mexico every 8 years.
They also sing in Spanish, they have a Chihuahua accent.
You can follow Marcelita Enns and Itali Heide on Instagram to find out more about their lives in this region in Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico.
https://www.instagram.com/dietsche_mejal/
https://www.instagram.com/italiheide/
Originally published on 20190716. Latest update 20230502.
