Tirineni tsïtsïki [English translation]

Cempasúchil1

is it really true

that you are all natural?

because we are purépechas, mother2;

we won't grow weary of sowing

the cempasúchil flower.

Happily, happily, mother;

we wait for light rain3,

because we are purépechas, mother;

we won't grow weary of sowing

the cempasúchil flower.

1. *Also known as the "Mexican marigold" [lat. Tagetes erecta // pr. sem.paˈsu.tʃil]. In Mexico the flower is often called "flor de muertos/flor del muerto" (flower of the dead) and is used for "Día de los Muertos" (Day of the dead) to decorate altars for the deceased and the home. The word literally means "twenty flower" and family members make a path with the petals from outside of their homes to their altars to guide the dead to them.2. lit. "little mother".3. lit. "little rain".

• Artist:Lila Downs