ABSTRACT
This article studies the topic of storytelling and mental representation among Totonac Indians today. The Totonac Indians live in the state of Veracruz and in the northern part of the state of Puebla in Mexico. They are agriculturalists. The Totonac language is spoken by approximately 120,000 persons. Because of the absence of a larger social structure the Totonac communities undertook to safeguard their language and culture separately in different communities. These communities, which appear homogeneous from the outside, have an intricate inner organization that is indispensable to their survival in the mestizo Mexican environment. This article is based on data gathered in fieldwork (1982, 1985/86, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995) mainly in two villages (Coahuitlan and Plan de Hidalgo) in the state of Veracruz (Lammel and Nemes 1988; Lammel 1994, 1995, 1997).
