Indigenous people in Mexico celebrated the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on Friday with a colorful parade along Mexico City's iconic Paseo de la Reforma avenue, showcasing their commitment to preserving their traditions and languages.
Participants from diverse indigenous communities in the parade wore traditional costumes and presented traditional music and dance.
Mexico is a country with a rich tapestry of cultural and linguistic diversity. The 68 indigenous languages spoken in the country are not just for communication; they hold immense cultural significance, embodying traditions, knowledge, and the identity of their speakers. This wealth of languages positions Mexico as one of the most culturally rich countries in Latin America.
Minerva Sanchez Alva, the parade organizer, is one of the 1.7 million Nahua people in Mexico who speak Nahuatl. She said the event showcased their dedication to preserving indigenous languages.
"Today we're celebrating the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, and we continue speaking our language so that it does not die," she said.
Numerous indigenous languages in Mexico face extinction, with only a few speakers remaining. This risk not only endangers linguistic diversity but also erodes distinct cultural identities and historical stories held within these languages.
Mexico's indigenous languages are invaluable cultural treasures, making their preservation crucial for both the speaking communities and Mexico's collective memory and identity.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 1994 to designate August 9 as the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
According to the UN, there are an estimated 476 million indigenous peoples in the world living across 90 countries, making up less than 6 percent of the world's population. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world's estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.
Int'l Day of World's Indigenous Peoples celebrated in Mexico with parade
Int'l Day of World's Indigenous Peoples celebrated in Mexico with parade
Grassroots officials and students who teamed up with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the voluntary tree planting activity in Beijing on Thursday morning said afterwards they would commit more energy to protecting their country's natural heritage and greening efforts.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, was accompanied by other Party and state leaders as they joined residents and local officials on the bank of the Yongding River in Beijing’s Fengtai District to plant saplings.
Xi waved to the crowd as he arrived at the site before picking up a shovel to help plant saplings of several different types of tree.
Xi took time to ask students from local schools about their studies, life and participation in labor and sports.
"We came here today to participate in this tree planting activity. What surprised us was that President Xi also took part. He worked alongside us, digging and building up the soil around the saplings. He has always been concerned about our lives and studies, and he encouraged us to work and study hard," said Lyu Shuochen, a student from the Fifth Primary School in Fengtai District.
"President Xi is very knowledgeable and understanding. He also encouraged us plant more trees to improve the air quality and the environment," said Gu Weichen, another student from the school.
During the event, Xi also talked with local grassroots officials, discussing the importance of preserving the nation's natural heritage.
"Every year, [the general secretary] takes part in the tree planting activity in the capital. He shovels the soil and waters the trees, which are truly touching. As environmental builders, we are determined to work together to make areas along the Yongding River greener and make the water clearer, so that local people can safely enjoy the riverside and truly understand the significance of ecological preservation," said Ding Hongwei, deputy director of the Fengtai District Yongding River Management Office.
"For us, participating in the tree planting activity with the general secretary is a vivid practical lesson in grassroots governance. Today, the general secretary also stressed that [environmental efforts should focus on] improving quality, boosting industry and benefiting the people. For us as community workers, it means we must deeply engage in the grassroots affairs. We need to strive for growth and do practical things to provide support for the residents and the people around us," said Qian Cheng, Party secretary of Tianlun Jincheng community in Beijing's Fengtai District.
"In addition to building the capital into a garden city, we also integrate the concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature into our daily life and work. We hope to create a better environment for everyone," said Lin Qiaoling, a Party committee member in Caoqiao Village, Yuquanying Subdistrict in Fengtai District.
Encouraged by Xi, the environmental champions at the site pledged to actively engage in public welfare activities, joining forces to contribute to the building of a Beautiful China and making the country even greener.
"President Xi told us while we were watering the saplings that watering the trees is like nurturing us children. I will follow what President Xi said. I want to become a teacher to educate and nurture others, and sow the seeds for them to grow their talents," said Wang Nanbixuan, another student from the school.
"As a primary school student in the capital, I am committed to planting more trees, working harder, and adding more green spaces to make our capital even more beautiful," said Chang Yuyang, another student from the school.
"With the personal involvement and leadership of the general secretary, the greening efforts in the capital will reach a new level, and citizens will be able to more directly enjoy the results of ecological civilization development," said Ding.
"As the general secretary said, we will continue working, one generation after another, to improve the greening efforts for the people, and contribute our own strength to ecological preservation in the capital and the whole country," said Lin.
Planting trees with President Xi inspires new generation of environmental champions
