Potslom, a collection of short stories published on the occasion of the Dual Year Mexico-Germany 2016-2017, is intended to draw the reader’s attention to Mexico’s linguistic and literary richness. The twelve stories selected for this book have translated from the original languages, Maya, Mayo, Mazateco, Mexicano, Purépecha, Tepehuano, Triqui, Tsotsil, and Zoque, into Spanish, German and English.
The authors, whose works are included in Potslom, exemplify the complex and multifaceted literature written in indigenous languages. Readers can explore different narrative forms and at the same time are invited to become familiar with and gain insight into the variety of mindsets, beliefs, languages, and cultural expressions of the Mexican people.
“Through the twelve narratives included in Potslom, we recreate ourselves in an ambience of plastic descriptions, drifting between real events and imaginary ones”.
– Sandra Sabanero, Mexican writer.
Triqui from San Miguel Copala, Santiago Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca. A university student from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) engineering department in Mexico City, he has recently published an audiobook in Triqui in cooperation with the university: "Culebra, voz de colores."
Maya from Dzan, Dzan, Yucatán. Works in the Institute for the Development of the Maya Culture (Indemaya) and has written books on medicine, the use of language, and tales.
Náhuatl from Huiziltepec, Eduardo Neri, Guerrero. Host of the radio program "Ixkaki" broadcast by Radio & Television Guerrero (RTG).
Purépecha from the Turícuaro indigenous community, Nahuatzen, Michoacán. Intercultural communications student at Michoacán's Indigenous Intercultural University.
Náhuatl from Atzacoaloya, Chilapa de Álvarez, Guerrero. Linguistics teacher at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies in Social Anthropology (CIESAS) and professor at the Intercultural University of Huehuetla, Puebla.
Maya Tsotsil from Romerillo, Chamula, Chiapas. Linguistics teacher at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies in Social Anthropology (CIESAS).
Zoque from Tectuapan, Pichucalco, Chiapas. Graduate in management and promotion of the arts at the Chiapas University of Arts and Sciences (UNICACH)
Maya from Tizimín, Tizimín, Yucatán. Writer and translator of poetry and tales in Maya; graduate in Anthropological Science, specialized in linguistics and literature. National Award for Indigenous Literature Endino Jiménez (2005), for the work U k’á jsajil u ts u’ noj k’áax (Tales from the heart of the mountain).
Tepehuano from Baborigame, Guadalupe and Calvo, Chihuahua. Indigenous teacher and translator of indigenous languages.
Yoreme from the La Constancia community, El Fuerte, Sinaloa. Communal and spiritual leader.
Mazateco from Mazatlán Villa de Flores, Oaxaca. Indigenous art and painting specialist.
Manuel Cabrera was born in Mexico City in 1986. He studied graphic design at the Universidad Iberoamericana, architecture at Westhill University, and completed a master's degree in public image at Colegio de Imagen Pública. He currently works for the Ten Group as a lifestyle manager for SwissCard AMEX Centurion and as a freelance designer and illustrator.