The Central Chatino are a pre-Columbian indigenous people whose communities of origin are located in the Southern portion of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The people are hardworking and friendly. The Chatinos have close cultural and linguistic ties with the Zapotec people, whose languages form the other branch of the Zapotecan language family. Chatinos call their language cha'cña, which means "difficult word." It is recognized as a national language in Mexico.

The Chatino in Raleigh/Durham/Cary, NC report that a significant portion of Chatino people groups in Mexico have now moved to the area, including more than half the population of some towns. Many are working in Chinese restaurants, as hotel maids, and in tobacco and other farming work.

The Central Chatino practice a mix of Catholic rituals and traditional pagan religious practices that originated long before contact with the Spanish. They believe in many gods, and worship the rain and thunder. They also believe in the "keytone", or animal spirit, that accompanies a person. They practice witchcraft and divination. While some Central Chatino have been evangelized, there is still a need for Christian work among them, and they are closely related to other people groups who are unreached.

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