Otomi people

The Otomí ( proper name Hñähñü ) are an indigenous people in Mexico.

The Otomi language belongs with the languages ​​of the Chichimeca Jonaz, Mazahua, Pame, Ocuilteco and Matlatzinca to the Oto - Pame languages ​​, in turn, to the Otomangue languages ​​( along with Amuzgo, Chinantekisch, Mixtec, Popoloca, Tlapanekisch and Zapotec ). The Hñähñu of the Mezquital Valley (Valle de Mezquital ) speak variant NHA: Nhu and the Otomi south of Querétaro variant NHA: NHO, together approximately 300,000 people (including approximately 5 to 6 percent Monolingual ), most in the states of Hidalgo ( Valle de Mezquital ), México, Puebla, Querétaro, Tlaxcala, Michoacán and Veracruz. Although the Otomi language is one of the most widely spoken indigenous languages ​​in Mexico, it is (like many languages ​​of Mexico) highly endangered because it is learned by only a few children.

The Otomi were neighbors of the Mexica ( Aztecs ) and were regarded as brave warriors. Otomi warriors were hired by both the Aztecs and by their enemies, the Tlaxcalans, as mercenaries. The Tlaxcalans should have first sent Otomí - mercenaries in the fight against the Spanish conquistadors, and only after their defeat their alliance with the Spaniards closed.