Zapotecs, the People who Come from the Clouds, the Binnizá
Zaachila, Betaza, Juchitán, and Tehuantepec
Guelaguetza
The Guelaguetza festival is held in the capital of Oaxaca on the "Mondays 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!
Zapotecos de Valles Centrales – Zaachila (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
The Zapotecs are the people who come from the clouds, the "Binnizá." Their language has different variants.
Zapotecs from the Central Valleys – Zaachila
Zaadxil or Zaachila has a history of over three millennia of settlements.
The feather dancer
The feather dance of the central valleys alludes to the conquest and is made up of nine dancers and two sides: that of Hernán Cortés and that of Moctezuma.
Zapotecos de Valles Centrales – Zaachila (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
The plume symbolizes the ultimate power and is a reminder that God is present above us.
Its preparation takes two months per piece, it weighs around seven kilos, and it has a brass base, with a reed center or core.
The mirrors allude to the stars.
The rattle symbolizes the command center of the warriors. The base of the scepter is traditionally made of deer bone.
The dancers' clothing, as with the religious images, is made of brocade.
Zapotecos de la Sierra Norte – Betaza (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Zapotecs from the Sierra Norte – Betaza
In the Sierra Norte, the field is worked: coffee, banana, chili, corn, or watermelon, depending on the altitude.
The land of brotherhood. Betaza
The pozontle is imbibed. To make it, the cocoa is ground with dough and mixed with unrefined cane sugar.
Zapotecos de la Sierra Norte – Betaza (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
The woman's outfit consists of a wide, long, white, folded skirt, a huipil made of manta, a red wool belt, and a white cotton rebozo.
Zapotecos de la Sierra Norte – Betaza (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
The men's clothing consists of breeches and a manta shirt with a black hat known as "el Piloncillo" (donkey belly), huaraches, and a jute net.
Zapotecos de la Sierra Norte – Betaza (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Collective work is part of the culture, whose objective is to serve the people and the locality. It consists of cooperating in kind or with work to build and repair the surroundings.
Zapotecos del Istmo – Juchitán y Tehuantepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
The colors of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Juchitán and Tehuantepec
In the Isthmus "Las Velas" are celebrated: religious festivals celebrating the patron saints of the communities or neighborhoods. In them we can observe the syncretism of Zapotec and Spanish customs.
Zapotecos del Istmo – Juchitán y Tehuantepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Zapotecs of the Isthmus – Juchitán and Tehuantepec
The Zapotec women of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec wear a short huipil and an embroidered petticoat or skirt. Some communities have their own particularities, such as the way they embroider, their drawings, and their technique. The one in the photograph is a ceremonial outfit.
Zapotecos del Istmo – Juchitán y Tehuantepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
It is made of velvet, embroidered with silk, pearl, or mercerized cotton threads.
Zapotecos del Istmo – Juchitán y Tehuantepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
The bottom of the skirt has a starched lace ruffle. Since colonial times, the nao or merchant ships that arrived at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec traded in embroidery and fine silks, hence their incredible resemblance to the shawls of Manila.
Zapotecos del Istmo – Juchitán y Tehuantepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Fish jewelry
They can carry up to 100 grams of gold between necklaces called "ahogadores" made of ancient coins, bangles, bracelets, and rings.
Zapotecos del Istmo – Juchitán y Tehuantepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Gold necklaces
This jewelry is the result of the hard work and heritage of several generations.
