Zapotec peoples facts for kids
| Bën za | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Total population | |
| c. 400,000–650,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Mexico 400,000–650,000 (central and mountainous areas of Oaxaca) |
|
| Languages | |
| Zapotec, Spanish, English, Albarradas Sign Language | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity: Roman Catholicism, traditional beliefs | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chatinos |
The Zapotec people are an amazing indigenous group mainly living in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. You can also find Zapotec communities in nearby states. Today, there are about 400,000 to 650,000 Zapotec people. Many of them speak one of the traditional Zapotec languages.
Long ago, before Europeans arrived, the Zapotec civilization was one of the most advanced cultures in Mesoamerica. They even had their own Zapotec writing system! Over the years, many Zapotec people have moved to the United States, especially to places like Los Angeles and the Central Valley in California. They keep their culture alive by forming their own community groups there.
There are four main groups of Zapotec people, based on where they live:
- The istmeños, who live in the southern Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
- The serranos, who live in the northern mountains of the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca.
- The southern Zapotec, who live in the southern mountains of the Sierra Sur.
- The Central Valley Zapotec, who live in and around the Valley of Oaxaca.
Contents
Understanding the Zapotec Name
The Zapotec people call themselves Bën Za. This beautiful name means "People of the clouds." Imagine living in the mountains, close to the clouds!
For a long time, people thought the name "Zapotec" came from the Nahuatl word tzapotēcah. This word meant "inhabitants of the place of sapote," which is a type of fruit. However, newer studies suggest it might be a mix of words. It could come from "za" (cloud) and "pochteca" (merchant), possibly meaning "cloud merchants."
A Glimpse into Zapotec History
Historians believe the Zapotec people settled in the Central Valley of Oaxaca a very long time ago. This was around 500 to 300 BCE, during a time known as the Monte Alban I period. During this period, the Zapotecs created a strong system to govern the people in their region.
The Monte Alban periods are divided into five stages, lasting from 500 BCE until the year 1521 CE. Archeologists have found evidence that people lived in the Monte Alban area, which was "the first city in ancient Mesoamerica," as far back as 1150 BCE. These discoveries help us understand how Zapotec civilization fit into the larger history of Mesoamerica.
Early Zapotec Life: Formative Period
The Formative stage lasted from about 500 BCE to 200 CE. This includes the Monte Alban I and II periods. During this time, people started living in permanent settlements. They also began to farm for their food, which was a big change from moving around.
Growth and Development: Classic Period
From 200 to 900 CE, during the Monte Alban III period, the Zapotec civilization entered its Classic stage. This was a time when their social and political structures grew stronger. Religious activities also became very important in their society's leadership.
Later Years: Militaristic Stage
Later, from about 900 to 1521 CE, came the "Militaristic stage" (Monte Alban IV–V). During this time, military power became more important, a common trend in many Mesoamerican societies. States often became involved in wars.
Zapotec Culture and Traditions
Zapotec Languages
The Zapotecan language family is quite large! It includes over 60 different ways of speaking Zapotecan. It's also related to the Chatino language. One of the most widely spoken versions is Isthmus Zapotec. You can hear it on the Pacific coast of Southern Oaxaca's Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
Zapotec Beliefs and Religion
Today, most Zapotec people are Catholics. However, some of their ancient beliefs and customs are still part of their lives. For example, they sometimes bury their loved ones with special items, a practice from long ago. Some images of local Catholic saints even look like the old Zapotec gods. For instance, San Pedro looks a lot like Cocijo, the Zapotec rain god.
The first missionaries who came to the Zapotec lands were Bartolomé de Olmeda and Juan Díaz. Juan Díaz was sadly killed by the local people because he tried to remove their traditional idols.
While the Virgen de Guadalupe is very important in most of Mexico, the Virgen de Juquila is a special Catholic figure for many Zapotec people in Oaxaca. They often go on a yearly trip to visit her statue during celebrations from December 7 to December 9.
In ancient Zapotec society, religion and government were closely linked. A Zapotec leader had to be trained in religious practices before taking power. They built large temples called yo hopèe, which meant "house of the vital force." Priests performed important religious ceremonies there.
The Zapotecs believed in a "pè," or life force, that lived in nature, like wind and breath. This was seen as the spirit of all living things. Priests, called Copa pitào, were usually chosen from noble families and received special training. Even common people could become lower-ranking priests. The highest religious leader was the ouija-tào, or "great seer," who was very respected.
The Zapotecs had many gods, each connected to different parts of the natural world.
- Pitao Cozobi was the main god for the Valley Zapotecs, linked to corn and farming.
- Cocijo was the god of rain and lightning, similar to the Toltec god, Tlaloc.
- Pitao Cozaana was the creator of people and animals, and the god of ancestors.
- Pitao Hichaana was the goddess of people, animals, and children, also seen as the Mother goddess.
- Pitao Pezelao was the god of the underworld, death, and the earth.
- Copijcha was the Sun god and god of war.
- Pitao Xicala was the god of love, dreams, and happiness.
The Role of Zapotec Women
Zapotec women have always played very important roles in their families and communities. They help keep cultural traditions alive and organize social life. Over time, Zapotec women have grown even prouder of their indigenous heritage.
Women's Changing Roles in Society
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, as Oaxaca became more connected to the rest of the world, Zapotec women's roles changed. They moved from mainly household duties to more economic activities. Women became key figures in local markets as merchants and weavers. Meanwhile, men's involvement in some types of trade decreased. These changes helped create a strong family structure where women often held central positions.
Women's Contributions to Family and Work
Zapotec women are central to their households as wives, mothers, and daughters. Raising children and managing the home, including cooking and cleaning, are important duties. Many women also work to help support their families financially. They balance their traditional home tasks with earning money.
In the past, during farming times, men mostly handled planting and harvesting. However, women also helped with weeding and gathering crops. If no men were available, women would even help with planting. Much of women's labor involved providing food for male workers and helping with extra tasks during busy harvest times.
Today, Mexico's economy has changed from farming to services and manufacturing. This has dramatically shifted ideas about women and work. Women now see ways to earn money for their families in the market. They can do this while still managing their important home tasks, which have no monetary value. As men often migrate for other job opportunities and farming decreases, women have become key in the textile industry, especially for tourists. Weaving and factory work are now common for many Zapotec women in Oaxaca.
The clothing industry began around 1960. Women, who had woven for centuries, started making and designing ready-made shirts and trousers. They sold these in local and global markets. This industry has greatly helped Zapotec women earn wages. They use various methods, from individual piecework to weaving cooperatives, and some have started small businesses.
Women's growing involvement in the market is changing their role in society. Their status as workers or merchants affects how they are seen in the community. Merchants often have a higher social standing because they control the market.
Even though women are vital to the textile industry, it is often still considered "women's work." Because of this gender division, the work might be valued less than men's work. Local industry is not always seen as a grand business in the Zapotec community because women mostly control it.
Zapotec industrial products, like textiles and clothing, are sold in places like the U.S. consumer market. This connects the local economy of Oaxaca to the global marketplace. Zapotec women are making goods that are bought and sold all over the world.
Zapotec Women in Social Movements
The Coalición Obrera Campesina Estudiantil del Istmo, or COCEI, is a political and social group started in 1974 in Juchitán, Mexico. This group continues a long history of Zapotec resistance to outside control. For example, a Zapotec woman bravely stood up to a Spaniard in the 1600s. Today, COCEI is a symbol of Zapotec identity and tradition. At least half of COCEI's leaders are women. They organize political events and protect marketplaces run by Zapotec women who sell their goods independently.
Zapotec communities also continue to fight for human rights. In the early 2000s, Mexico allowed more mining on indigenous lands. This led Zapotec communities to organize against these projects and protect their communal land. Zapotec women were very important in teaching their communities about the effects of these mines. This shows how Zapotec women play a big part in movements to protect their culture, rights, and land in Oaxaca.
Special Roles in Zapotec Society
In some Zapotec communities, there are people who express their gender in ways that are different from typical ideas of men and women. These individuals are called Muxes. The word "Muxe" comes from the Spanish word for "woman." In places like Juchitán, Mexico, Muxes are often described as confident and respected.
Muxes often realize from a young age that their interests are more connected with femininity. They come to identify themselves as neither women nor men in the usual sense. There are different ways Muxes identify, some may feel a strong desire to live as a woman.
Muxes are generally seen as holding respected positions in Zapotec society. They are often known for taking on important caregiving roles in their households, such as looking after elderly parents. The presence of Muxes shows that feminine qualities are highly valued in Zapotec society. This also highlights the strong role women play in these indigenous communities.
Famous Zapotec People
- Benito Juarez: Born in Oaxaca to Zapotec parents, Benito Juarez was a very important leader in Mexico. He was a liberal politician and led a major reform movement. He became the first president of Mexico who was of Indigenous origin.
- Andrés Henestrosa: A Zapotec scholar who studied the Zapotec language and culture. He later became a politician.
Importance of the Zapotec People
The Zapotec people are a living link to an ancient and highly advanced civilization that developed writing, built magnificent cities, and created a complex society. Their resilience in maintaining their languages, traditions, and unique social structures, even after centuries of change, is truly inspiring. The Zapotec remind us of the incredible diversity and strength of Indigenous peoples around the world.
Images for kids
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Zapotec children listening in their language.
See also
In Spanish: Pueblo zapoteco para niños
- Indigenous peoples of Oaxaca
