Nahuas: Meet this Ethnic Group between the Mountains

Santa María Teopoxco

Guelaguetza Festival 2023 (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Guelaguetza

The Guelaguetza festival is held in the capital of Oaxaca on the "Monday of the Hill" in July.

This celebration brings together the different ethnic groups and mestizo cultures of the regions of Oaxaca to share their dances, traditions, and gastronomy with locals and visitors. Learn about them!

Nahuas – Santa Maria Teopoxco (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Nahuas (Santa María Teopoxco)

Residents say that, more than a century ago, most of the inhabitants died from an epidemic. 

Little by little the community was repopulated, but nowadays they fight against migration so as not to lose their roots.

Nahuas – Santa Maria Teopoxco (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

They themselves craft their traditional clothing. For the wool shawl, the yarn, which has to be very thin, is made first.

The huipil is made of manta, has to be white, and is adorned with red, green, and yellow ribbons. 

Nahuas – Santa Maria Teopoxco (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

The red symbolizes the cochineal grain, as there used to be many, the green symbolizes the cactus and the green of the town, and the yellow represents the pride of the woman.

They also wear a belt and a black wool skirt. The black "ojitos" shawl is for special occasions. 

Nahuas – Santa Maria Teopoxco (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

The men wear manta breeches, a striped manta shirt, and a manta tunic. 

This ethnic group is located between the mountains, a humid and cold but very fertile land. They are born in the hands of traditional midwives and their collective work generates great roots. 

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