TUNAL

Tunal—meaning both "sun" and "spirit" in Nahuat, Black's critically endangered Indigenous language—is a multimedia project honoring ancestral memory, cultural resilience, and intergenerational connection. Rooted in the matrilineal homeland of Kuskatan (colonially known as El Salvador), the work documents the last remaining Nahuat speakers through large-format wet plate photography, recorded interviews, and ceremonial gatherings. Through these acts of documentation and collaboration, the project confronts colonial narratives of erasure while affirming the enduring presence, knowledge, and spirit of her people. These images are taken on the land, outdoors in hot and humid conditions — a challenge unique to this photographic medium. With the generous support of the CCA, Alexa was able to photograph several of her language teachers and family members.