San Pablito Pahuatlán is a small village nestled in the Sierra Norte de Puebla mountains of Mexico. Its indigenous Otomi people are renowned for their centuries-old tradition of crafting amate paper, a delicate, fibrous sheet made from the inner bark of wild fig and mulberry trees.

The Otomi language is a Mesoamerican language spoken by about 1.5 million people in central Mexico. It belongs to the Oto-Manguean language family, which is distinct from the Uto-Aztecan languages spoken by most other indigenous groups in Mexico. Otomi has its own unique writing system, which developed before the arrival of the Spanish and was used to create codices on amate paper.

Making amate paper is a labor-intensive process that begins with the careful selection and harvesting of the bark. The inner bark is then soaked in water, beaten with a wooden mallet on a stone slab, and mixed with a natural adhesive made from the mallow plant. The resulting pulp is spread thin on a smooth surface, dried in the sun, and polished with a smooth stone to create the finished sheet.

Amate paper is not only beautiful but also incredibly strong and durable. It has been used for centuries for a variety of purposes, including writing, painting, religious ceremonies, and everyday household items. Today, amate paper is still made in San Pablito Pahuatlán, and it is a vital part of the Otomi people's cultural heritage.

Here are some additional details about San Pablito Pahuatlán and the Otomi language:

San Pablito Pahuatlán is located in the state of Puebla, about 120 kilometers from the city of Puebla.
The Otomi language is spoken by about 50,000 people in San Pablito Pahuatlán.
Amate paper is traditionally used for making codices, ceremonial figures, and decorative objects.
The Otomi people of San Pablito Pahuatlán are also known for their traditional music, dance, and cuisine.

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