Practical Information

The Matagalpa Indian language

Matagalpan was the name given by etnonologist Daniel G. Brinton to the language of these Indians who had inhabited the central highlands plateau of Nicaragua.

German MD  Karl Berendt (nationalized American in 1856)  had obtained from Victor Jesus Noguera, old curate priest of Matagalpa, a list of 97 words of the Indian language known till then as "Popoluca". He inherited this document to the American linguist friend Daniel G. Brinton, who did research works for the Philadelphia Philosophical Society (Where still can be found). Brinton analized this list and found no relation to the rest of Nicaraguan Indian languages (Chorotega, Nahua, Marribio, Mosquito or Sumo)  Then in 1895 he realized he has found a complete new Indian language naming it "Matagalpan", because Matagalpa was the major historical Indian town in the area.

The Matagalpa Indians are believed to be the same Indians named "Chontales" by the Spanish Chronists ( Fernandez de Oviedo in 1580s). They inhabited in the Nicaraguan highlands, from 1,500 feet up to 5,000 feet elevation over sea level, geographically starting in south El Salvador, southwest of Honduras and the Central plateau of Nicaragua. Late Scientists believe  Matagalpa language belongs to the Macro-Chibcha language group, also spoken by Costa Rican and Colombian Indians.

This language may have desapeared in about 1875, but according to local people it is still is spoken by few people in remote high mountains peaks like Azancor, Musum, Pancasan in the province of Matagalpa.

The Matagalpa langaage is known for the usage of terms like: güina=people, li=river, cayan=mountain, apan=rock.

Some words still in usage are: Chuisli=little river, Boluka=chicken or turkey, Dapan= cotton tree. Some 500 toponimies of the Matagalpa language may still be in use in the area (and names of rivers, ranges, valleys, like: Palacagüina, Esteli, Molagüina, Samulali, Cushmacayan= cerro zopilota, Moropotente. Ucumulali= rio grande, etc.)  Eddy Kuhl. Director of Academy of Geography and History of Nicaragua,