Mam language

The Mam are a Native American people of the highlands of western Guatemala.

Related Topics:
Native American - Guatemala

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In Pre-Columbian times the Mam were part of the Maya civilization, and their native language, still spoken as a first language by many, is in the Maya language family.

Related Topics:
Pre-Columbian - Maya civilization - Maya language

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The Pre-Columbian Mam capital was Zaculeu. Many Mam live in and around the nearby modern city of Huehuetenango. The city of Quetzaltenango was originally Mam. Many more Mam live in small hamlets in the mountains, keeping many of their native traditions.

Related Topics:
Zaculeu - Huehuetenango - Quetzaltenango

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There are at least two major divisions in the language: Northern Mam spoken in the province of Huehuetenango, and Southern Mam spoken in and around San Marcos. Because of a lack of literacy skills and interaction, the language can vary widely from village to village, even though the villages may be separated by just a few miles. None the less, all native speakers of the Mam language are typically able to understand one another, though perhaps with some difficulty.

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