Pech in Honduras

The Pech have only been reported in Honduras
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Pech (also called pejoratively Payas or Payitas by the Latinos) called themselves "Pech" which means "People" but only refers to their own race. They call other people "Pech-Hakua" which means "Other People."

Originally they lived on the Honduran coast of La Moskitia from where they were chased by the Spanish conquistadors and Miskitos. Thousands died and the others fled to the heart of the rainforest.


Where Are they Located?

Today there are about 1500 Pech people divided into 9 communities. 90% of them live farther inland in the district of Olancho, principally in the municipality of Dulce Numbre de Culmi and San Esteban. The remaining live in the districts of Colon, and Gracias a Dios.

The rivers marking the natural borders of the Pech territory are the Platano, Wampu, Grande, Tinto, Cuyamel, and Patuca. These rivers constitute an essential foundation for their agriculture, transportation, and commerce.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally the villages were organized and led by a tribal council from which the Casique (village chief) was the head. Today however, in the face of the political challenges facing the Pech, the communities have reorganized themselves with a political core more apt to be recognized by the Honduran Government. Each Tribal Council is now composed of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc. These bodies seem to have more power than the traditional Casique.

Today with increasing assimilation into Latino society and more intermarriage, the number of pure Pech people is decreasing rapidly. Of the remaining population, less than half speak their ethnic tongue fluently. With the loss of language, culture disappears rapidly. Unless steps are taken to support local efforts, the current generation might be the last of the Pech people.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Pech in Honduras.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Pech
People Name in Country Pech
Alternate Names Paya-Pech; Seco; Tawka
Population this Country 6,900
Population all Countries 6,900
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 14349
ROP3 Code 107958
ROP25 Code 306643
ROP25 Name Paya
Country Honduras
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Colón department: near Caribbean coast; Olancho department: Dulce Nombre de Culmi and Catamacas municipalities.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Honduras
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Colón department: near Caribbean coast; Olancho department: Dulce Nombre de Culmi and Catamacas municipalities..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 6.00 %)
70.00 %
Ethnic Religions
25.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Pech
Language Code pay   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Spanish
Primary Language Pech
Language Code pay   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Spanish
People Groups Speaking Pech

Primary Language:  Pech

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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