While Spanish is the official language of Mexico, its many Indigenous cultures still thrive and speak their own languages within their communities. One of these languages is Mazateco, one of the 162 indigenous languages spoken in the state of Oaxaca, but what makes it unique is that it is composed entirely of whistles. This short video details the complexity of this tonal language and gives viewers an insight into the lives of its speakers. Although the Mexican education system makes it difficult for Indigenous languages to thrive, Mazateco remains in use, strongly connected to its speakers’ identity, ancestral heritage, and relationship with the natural world.

RELATED CONTENT:

Sylbo, The Last Speakers of the Lost Whistling Language

Aotearoa: Reclaiming Maori Language and Identity in New Zealand 

How the Loss of Native American Languages Affects our Understanding of the Natural World