Mam people facts for kids
 |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 865,884 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Guatemala |
842,252 |
 Mexico |
23,632 |
| Languages | |
| Mam, Spanish | |
| Religion | |
| Catholic, Evangelical, Maya religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Ixil, Tektitek | |
The Mam are a group of native people who live in the western mountains of Guatemala and in southwestern Mexico. They speak a language called Mam.
Most Mam people, about 617,171 of them, live in Guatemala. They are found in areas like Huehuetenango, San Marcos, and Quetzaltenango. In Mexico, about 23,632 Mam people live mainly in the Soconusco region of Chiapas.
The Mam People's History
Long ago, before Europeans arrived, the Mam were part of the amazing Maya civilization. Their main city and capital of their kingdom was called Zaculeu.
Many Mam people today live in and around the modern city of Huehuetenango. The city of Quetzaltenango, also known as Xela, was originally a Mam city. Many more Mam families live in small villages high in the mountains of northern Guatemala. They work hard to keep their old traditions alive.
Language and Culture
Many Mam people speak two languages. They speak Spanish and also their native Mam language. The Mam language is part of the larger Maya language family. For many, Mam is their first language, the one they learn at home.
