Zapotec peoples

The Zapotec are an Indigenous people from Mexico.

They call themselves the Bën, which means "People of the clouds." Most Zapotec people live in the state of Oaxaca. Some live in the mountains or in the valleys. Many have also moved to the United States. You can find Zapotec communities in California. They live in the Central Valley and Los Angeles. They have between 400,000 and 650,000 people today. Many speak their own Native Zapotec languages.

Zapotec life has many different parts. There are four main groups of people. Some live in the southern Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Others live in the northern Sierra Madre mountains. Some live in the southern Sierra Sur mountains. The last group lives near the Valley of Oaxaca.

In the past, the Zapotec had a very advanced culture. They lived in the Central Valley of Oaxaca long ago. They built a famous city called Monte Alban. This was the first city in ancient Mesoamerica.

Archaeologists found signs of people living there by 1150 BCE. Between 500 BCE and 200 CE, they lived in steady settlements. They practiced farming to feed their people. From 200 to 900 CE, their society grew much stronger. They built complex systems for ruling their lands. Later, between 900 and 1521 CE, warfare became more common.

Religion was a huge part of Zapotec history. They believed in many different gods. One god was Pitao Cozobi, who looked after corn and farming. Another was Cocijo, the god of rain and lightning. They also had Pitao Pezelao, the god of the underworld.

Priests were very important in their society. These priests were called Copa pitào. Some priests came from noble families. Others were chosen from common people. They performed rites in large temples called yo hopèe. These temples were "houses of the vital force."

Today, many Zapotec people follow the Catholic faith. However, they still keep many old traditions. For example, they might bury the dead with valuable items. Some Catholic saints even look like old Zapotec gods.

Zapotec women play a very important role in their communities. They are often the leaders in local markets. Many women are skilled weavers and merchants. They make beautiful clothes to sell to people everywhere. This work helps their families earn money. Women also manage the home and care for children. This balance of work helps keep their culture alive.

Zapotec culture connects the ancient past to the modern world. Their history of farming and weaving continues today. Even as people move to new places, they stay connected. They use their traditions to stay strong in new lands.