Tepehuan, Norte in Mexico

People Name:	Tepehuan, Norte
Country:	Mexico
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	7,500
World Population:	7,500
Primary Language:	Tepehuan, Northern
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	10.00 %
Evangelicals:	1.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Central American Indigenous, other
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Tepehuan are an indigenous people living in Mexico’s northern state of Durango. Their name means “mountain dweller” or “mountain people.” Their language is divided into three groups. One of these is Norte Tepehuan.
During the days of the Aztec Empire, the Tepehuan controlled much of what is now northern Mexico. The Spanish Empire conquered the Aztecs, then began moving north. Eventually they used Mexico’s northern region for ranching and mining. Tepehuan contact with the Spaniards stared with Roman Catholic missionaries, both Jesuit and Franciscan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Norte Tepehuan are farmers. They grow crops and raise livestock. They especially value horses for transportation and burros as pack animals. A smaller number of them are involved with local trade or the lumber industry.
They have a strange marital custom where the groom brings the bride back to his parent’s home. They live together until the anger of family leaders dies down. Inheritance follows a patrilineal pattern unless there are no sons. In that case, daughters get the family inheritance. Norte Tepehuan families are usually nuclear, but sometimes a widowed parent or grandparent lives with them.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Norte Tepehuan have blended Roman Catholicism and indigenous practices. They associate God the Father with their sun god and Jesus with the moon god. The Catholic saints have roles much like minor gods. They associate Mary with the Virgin of Guadalupe. Some Tepehuan subgroups celebrate Holy Week much like other Roman Catholics. Many of their beliefs have pre-Christian roots such as the elote. This is a first fruits celebration that involves thanksgiving to the gods. Shamans are called upon to “bring god down” to earth in attempts to protect themselves from sickness and witchcraft.

What Are Their Needs?

The Norte Tepehuan need Christ-centered spiritual lives.

Prayer Points

Pray for a Christ-centered revival among all three Tepehuan subgroups that will bless them abundantly.
Pray for Christ loving Norte Tepehuan disciples to show others the way to victory in Jesus.
Pray for the Lord to bless their crops in such a way they understand he alone is worthy of thanksgiving and worship.