Andres Henestrosa

If you asked me what’s the definition of a hero I will tell you that it’s a person that has done something for his community or country, that’s why I chose Andres Henestrosa. He was born in November 30, 1906 in Ixhuatán, Oaxaca. He started studying at Juchitán, Oaxaca at age of 15; he could only speak his native language which is Zapotec.

Andres Henestrosa (http://salvatierra.freeservers.com/ Secciones.htm)

Henestrosa moved to Mexico City and he learned Spanish excellently at the National Teacher’s school. He started to study law In the Jurisprudence National School but he didn’t graduate. He also studied at the Philosophy and Literature Faculty of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

In 1927 his teacher Alfonso Caso suggested Henestrosa to write down all the Zapotec myths, legends and fables and his first book was published in 1929 (The Men Scattered by Dance).

Henestrosa always contributed in many ways to the Zapotec Culture. He also joined the "Indianismo" which was a literary movement. Henestrosa also made a Zapotec–Spanish dictionary and that’s why I admire him, because he showed people what the Zapotec Culture is like. He was an excellent teacher and he was the first to make the Zapotec-Spanish dictionary - indeed he won an award named Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor in 1993 and this award is the highest award bestowed by the Mexican government.

Andres Henestrosa (http://www.alianzatex.com/ imagenesnotas/andres%20henestrosa.jpg)

Andres Henestrosa Morales died in January 10th of 2008. He was a great person and an excellent teacher. Thanks to his tenacity and his courage he has to be respected in all México.