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Walter Boelsterly Urrutia, MSc.
Director of the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City
"Potslom draws from age-old traditions to narrate the stories of how myths and rituals from different ethnic groups emerged across biodiversified regions and habitats. Our environment is the most important source of inspiration for all of us. In this collection of stories, it becomes a leitmotif that guides us to the origins of our world. More than a rich and balanced literary experience, this book conveys a way of life."
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Dr. Lino Santacruz Moctezuma
Founder of Álamos Publishing
"It was especially appealing to me to have the opportunity to present stories in nine different indigenous languages: Mayan, Mayo, Mazatecan, Mexicano, Purépecha, Tepehuán, Trique, Tsotsil, and Zoquean. The book includes languages from communities in seven states of the Mexican Republic. In their thematic and stylistic diversity, the narratives show some of the cultural richness that exists throughout the country.
Álamos Publishing was created to build bridges between societies and cultures. Founded on the occasion of the Mexico-Germany Dual Year, the publisher's declared goal is to strengthen and promote culture, constructive dialogue, tolerance and, above all, mutual respect."
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Dr. Paola Encarnación Sandoval
El Colegio de México
"The stories from Potslom offer a contemporary, unassuming narrative – far away from the stereotypes commonly associated with indigenous culture. In this narrative, there is no need to make claims or offer justifications. It is based on its own tradition which, in this book, not only addresses Spanish-speaking readers, but also appeals to English and German-speaking audiences."
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Dr. Carmen Gómez Mont Araiza
Information and Communication Technologies for Education (TICE), Mexico City
"The richness of this book lies in the mentality and thought structure presented by the authors and narrators, which is very different from what we would expect in the Western narrative tradition. This unanticipated approach to storytelling opens up new horizons and transcends thought patterns. The 68 different languages spoken in Mexico include some 348 dialects. This diversity attests to the country's cultural richness – which is gradually declining. When a single language becomes extinct, a way of thinking, a culture, and a world view disappear forever."
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Dr. Beatriz Marín Ochoa
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
"The map and timeline presented in this book reflect the Mexican identity, culture, and linguistic diversity. The dates show how old some of these languages are. Seven of the nine languages in this book date back to the pre-Christian era. Purépecha emerged in 2500 BC. Tepehuán has existed since 1700 AD. These stories convey a linguistic identity that should be preserved as part of Latin American culture."
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Eugenio Camarillo López
Author from the Triqui community in the state of Oaxaca
"The idea to write in a language that is incorrectly described as 'indigenous' (the Western term for our mother-tongue) was aimed at coming closer to contemporary customs in Mexico, where it is becoming more common to write the language. This presents oral tradition in written form. On the South American continent, the written form was not traditionally relevant. Great value was placed on the spoken word, but a piece of paper was worthless. The spoken word emanates authority and is used to formulate agreements within the communities. But in today's globalized world, the spoken word must be transformed into legal terms. I learned my language through spoken words; nowadays it is taught in writing. As a so-called indigenous population, we have been Hispanicized and dominated, robbed of our knowledge and deprived of our diversity. "
