Mixtec

The Mixtecs or Mixtecos are Indigenous peoples from Mexico, living mainly in a region called La Mixteca in the states of Oaxaca and Puebla, as well as parts of Guerrero. Their culture, known as the Mixtec civilization, flourished from around 1500 BCE until the Spanish arrived in 1523 CE.

The Mixtec area is split into three parts: the Mixteca Alta, which is dry and higher in elevation; the Mixteca Baja, which is lower, hot, and dry; and the Mixteca Costa, which is low and very wet with tropical weather. Archaeologists have studied the Alta the most, finding signs of people living there from very early times.

Before Europeans arrived, Mixtec kingdoms sometimes worked together and sometimes fought, even teaming up with nearby Zapotec kingdoms. Like many other Indigenous groups in Mexico, the Mixtecs were conquered by Spanish invaders in the 1500s. There were about 1.5 million Mixtecs back then, but today their numbers are around 800,000 in Mexico, with many also living in the United States. The Mixtec languages are part of the larger Oto-Manguean language family.

Nomenclature and etymology

The word Mixtec, or Mixteco in Spanish, comes from the Nahuatl language and means "cloud people." The Mixtecs have many names for themselves, such as ñuù savi or nayívi savi, which all mean "the land of the rain." Their historic homeland, called La Mixteca, is known in their language as Ñuu Savi, Ñuu Djau, or Ñuu Davi, depending on the local dialect. They also have different names for their language, like sa'an davi or tu'un savi.

Overview

In times before European explorers arrived, the Mixtec were one of the important cultures of Mesoamerica. Their ancient cities included places like Tilantongo, Mitla, and Monte Albán, which they shared with the Zapotec people. Mixtec artists were known for their skilled work with stone, wood, and metal.

Later, during the time of the Aztec Empire, the Mixtec faced difficulties as Aztec forces tried to control their lands. Eventually, the Mixtec were conquered by Spanish explorers and their allies in the early 1500s. Today, many Mixtec people have moved to different parts of Mexico and the United States, forming strong communities in places like California, New York City, and cities near the border such as Tijuana, Baja California, San Diego, California, and Tucson, Arizona.

Mixtecs in the colonial era

There is a lot of information written in the Mixtec language from the time when Spain ruled the area. Scholars have studied this to learn about how Mixtec society worked. While there are many records about land issues, there is less about trade. In the early days, Mixtec people continued to trade over long distances. By the 1700s, Spanish people mostly controlled trade, even though some Mixtec merchants could speak both Spanish and their own language.

Some Spanish people lived in Puebla and worked with Mixtec people. There were also records of Mixtec leaders renting land to Spanish people and more people working for pay instead of tradition. By the late 1700s, many leaders were involved in Spanish business ways and some even married people who were not Mixtec.

Geography

The Mixtec people live mainly in the western part of the state of Oaxaca, with some communities also in Puebla and Guerrero. Their homeland is divided into three areas: the Mixteca Alta in the mountains, the Mixteca Baja to the north and west, and the Mixteca de la Costa near the Pacific coast. For much of their history, the Mixteca Alta was the most important area, with the main cities of the Mixtec people located there. The Valley of Oaxaca was often a border area, sometimes controlled by the Mixtec and sometimes by their neighbors, the Zapotec.

An ancient cave in the Coixtlahuaca Basin, called the Colossal Natural Bridge, is a sacred place for the Mixtec.

Mixtec rulers

The Mixtec people had many leaders over the years who helped guide their communities. These leaders, often called rulers, played important roles in managing their lands and cultures. Their stories show how the Mixtec civilization grew and changed through time.

Language, codices, and artwork

The Mixtecan languages were spoken by around 300,000 people by the end of the 20th century. Many Mixtec speakers also knew Spanish. Some Mixtecan languages have different names, like Cuicatec and Triqui.

The Mixtec people are famous for their special books called Codices. These books used pictures to tell their history and family lines. They were written on deerskin and folded like books. One famous story from these books is about Lord Eight Deer, also called Jaguar Claw. He brought many parts of the Mixtec area together under his rule.

The Mixtec were also very skilled at making beautiful jewelry and decorations, especially with gold and turquoise. Their gold work was often given as tribute to the Aztecs. Turquoise masks were important for ceremonies, gifts to make friendships between leaders, and for special religious events.