Reclamation of the Mochica language and culture: Use of didactic material and teacher training in the Lambayeque Region / Recuperación de la lengua y cultura mochica: uso de material didáctico y formación de docentes en la región Lambayeque

Learning and using Mochica in the Lambayeque Region through the implementation of the didactic material Apeñ Muchik - Learning Mochica

In the Lambayeque region, Mochica is a dormant language that forms part of the area's cultural heritage. However, there are very few accessible resources or initiatives that promote its teaching within local communities. This lack of support hinders the transmission of the language and the strengthening of cultural identity among the descendants of its ancestral speakers.

To address this educational need, the book Apeñ Muchik - Learning Mochica (Eloranta & Chávez, 2025) was created. Designed as a didactic tool for teaching the Mochica language, the book adopts a playful and engaging tone, featuring illustrations based on Lambayeque’s cultural elements, inviting readers to color as they learn.

This innovative project seeks to connect the regional education system with practical and accessible tools like Apeñ Muchik. In doing so, it not only promotes Lambayeque’s cultural identity, but also encourages the sustainable use of educational materials rooted in local heritage.

The project promotes the learning and use of the Mochica language in Lambayeque through the implementation of Apeñ Muchik in educational institutions. This pedagogical work will be complemented by teacher training workshops and educational activities involving students and their families, fostering a community-based approach to language revitalization.

Mochica language, linguistic reclamation, cultural reclamation, Mochica pedagogical material