They integrate two manuscripts in indigenous languages ​​into the memory of the Unesco world

Two manuscripts in extinct indigenous languages, protected by the National Library of Mexico of the UNAM, are part of the Unesco world memory program.

This is a confessional in Barbeña and an opate vocabulary considered the only colonial dictionary of this language, said Martha Elena Romero, coordinator of this library, who also explained that both documents of the colonial period are key to the conservation of the linguistic and cultural legacy of the Republic. These indigenous languages ​​were spoken in the north of the country, when California was still part of the territory during the colony. The confessional contains prayers of the Christian doctrine, which was prepared by Juan Cortés in 1798 during the Santa Barbara mission, in California.

The research in charge of Rosas thesis, a specialist in the study of indigenous languages, determined that the confessional was carried out within indigenous communities and shows cultural and religious contact between the European world and the American native; Testimony of linguistic displacement, which in some cases implied its extinction.

Elena Romero explained that the second manuscript is the Art of the Teguima Language and Vocabulary of the Ocher Languageprepared by Natal Lombardo (1685-1698), which not only has writings in opate, which is extinct and was spoken in Sonora.

The Unesco world memory program preserves and guarantees access to the documentary heritage of humanity, recognizing its importance against threats such as looting, wars and lack of resources.