Mixtec culture

The Mixtec culture was a rich and ancient civilization that lived long ago in a mountainous area called La Mixteca. Their ancestors called themselves Ñuu savi, meaning "people or nation of the rain." This culture started around the 12th century BC and lasted until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Their homeland is today part of the Mexican states of Puebla, Oaxaca, and Guerrero.

The Mixtecs shared many traditions with their neighbors, the Zapotec people, and both called themselves "people of the rain or of the cloud." Over time, they built cities and towns. They were part of a wide network of trade and culture across Mesoamerica, creating beautiful objects that have been found far away.

One famous Mixtec leader, Eight Deer Jaguar Claw, helped unite many areas under his rule. Later, the Mixtecs worked together with the Zapotecs to protect their lands from outside powers. When the Spaniards arrived, some Mixtec leaders chose to work with them, while others fought to keep their independence.

La Mixteca

Main article: La Mixteca

The Mixtec people lived in a place called La Mixteca, a big area in southern Mexico. It covers parts of three states today: Puebla, Guerrero, and Oaxaca.

La Mixteca has different areas. One part is called Highland Mixteca, with high mountains and valleys. Another part is Lowland Mixteca, which is warmer and lower. These areas are separated by rivers and hills.

Geographic location

The Mixtec region has three main zones:

• Lowland Mixteca: in the northwest of Oaxaca and southeast of Puebla.
• Highland Mixteca: in the northwest of Guerrero and west of Oaxaca.
• Coastal Mixteca: along the coast, shared by Oaxaca and Guerrero.

Mythology

Mixtec mythology has many ideas shared with other cultures in Mesoamerica. Like the Mexica and the Maya, the Mixtecs believed they lived in the time of the "Fifth Sun." They thought the world had gone through many creations and destructions before their time.

In the beginning, the earth was chaotic, with spirits flying in the air. These spirits had special names: One Deer-Jaguar Serpent and One Deer-Puma Serpent. They are like the "Two Gods" in other myths, representing balance in the universe. These two divinities separated light from darkness and earth from water. They created four gods who would bring forth other gods and humans, who were made from corn.

The Mixtecs believed they were descendants of the sons of the Apoala tree. One of these sons defeated the Sun and won the land for the Mixtec people. Their main god was Dzahui, the god of rain and protector of the Mixtec nation. Another important figure was Nine Wind-Coo Dzahui, a hero who taught them about farming and civilization.

History

The Mixtecs are one of the oldest groups in Mesoamerica. Their language is part of the Mixtec language group, related to Zapotec and Otomi. Evidence shows people lived in La Mixteca as far back as the fifth millennium B.C. Agriculture began around the third millennium B.C., with crops like chili, corn, beans, and squash. By the Middle Preclassic period, towns grew and connected through trade.

The Mixtecs did not form one large country but were made of many small states linked together. Their history from the Preclassic and Classic periods is not well known. However, during the Postclassic period, the city of Tututepec, founded by Eight Deer Jaguar Claw, grew powerful and ruled a large area. Most of La Mixteca peacefully agreed to Spanish rule after the 1520s.

Preclassic Period

From the 16th century B.C., small farming villages appeared in La Mixteca. These early communities were part of changes happening across Mesoamerica. They traded with other regions and showed influences from cultures like the Olmecs. Social structures began to form, with some people having more power than others.

By the Middle Preclassic period, larger towns like Monte Negro and Huamelulpan appeared. These towns grew into important centers. Mixtec societies began to organize into small states led by powerful leaders. The Mixtecs shared similarities with nearby Zapotec people but remained independent.

Classic Period

The Classic Period, from the 1st to the 9th century, saw more cities and specialized trades across Mesoamerica. Mixtec states changed over time, with new centers gaining power. Society became more organized, with clear social classes and religious practices.

In Lowland Mixteca, Cerro de las Minas became a major city with unique architecture and writing. Other sites showed Mixtec influence. By the 7th century, many cities faced challenges and were abandoned, though some places like Tilantongo continued to be occupied.

Postclassic Period

The Postclassic period, starting around the 8th century, is the best-known time for the Mixtecs because of surviving records. Populations grew, especially in Highland Mixteca, forming small states that often fought each other.

Mixtecs had strong ties with Zapotecs and others through trade and marriage. One famous ruler, Eight Deer Jaguar Claw, united many Mixtec states through clever alliances and military success. After his death, the kingdom split back into smaller states.

Colonization of the Costa Region

For a long time, Zapotec people lived along the coast of Oaxaca. Mixtecs arrived later, around the 10th or 11th century C.E., and took control from the Zapotecs in some areas. The city of Tututepec grew quickly and became very important.

Chiefdom of Eight Deer

Between the 11th and 12th centuries C.E., Eight Deer Jaguar Claw brought many Mixtec states together under his rule. He was born into a non-ruling family but gained power through wars and smart alliances. He took over many lands and made many marriage ties to keep his kingdom strong. After he died, his kingdom broke apart into smaller states again.

Mexica Conquest

After Eight Deer's death, Mixtec states often fought among themselves. By the 15th century, the powerful Mexica tried to take over La Mixteca. They succeeded in many areas but faced strong resistance, especially along the coast and in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

Spanish Conquest

Main article: Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire

When the Spaniards arrived in 1519, some groups welcomed them, hoping for freedom. After the fall of Mexico-Tenochtitlan in 1521, the Spaniards turned to the Mixtecs. Most Mixtecs made peace with the Spaniards, allowing them to keep many of their traditions. Only a few areas, like Tututepec, resisted the Spanish conquest.

Society

Kinship system

The Mixtecs had a special way of naming family members called a Hawaiian-type kinship system. In this system, a person used the same name for their father and all their uncles, and the same name for their mother and all their aunts. Women could also hold important positions of power.

Social classes

Mixtec society was organized into different levels, with some people having more power and wealth than others. At first, there were small differences between people. Over time, some became leaders and nobles, while others worked the land or served the nobles. The nobles often married among themselves to keep their power, and other people had fewer rights.

Political organization

The Mixtecs were divided into many small states, each controlling its own area. These states often competed with each other for power. Leaders formed alliances through marriages, sometimes marrying closely within their families to keep their status strong.

Militarism

The Mixtecs were skilled warriors who made their own weapons to defend their lands. They fought mainly with other nearby groups. Their weapons included bows and arrows, spears, and special clubs. Warriors wore animal skins or helmets for protection and to look frightening in battle.

Economic activities

The Mixtec people were good farmers. They grew important crops like maize, beans, chili, and squash to feed their communities. They also grew cotton and cocoa where the climate allowed. Because their land was mountainous and often dry, they built special terraces on slopes to help their crops grow better and save water.

In addition to farming, the Mixtecs raised animals like the guajolote and xoloitzcuintle for meat. They also cared for the cochineal, a small bug that lives on nopal cactus, to make a red dye. The Mixtecs were also part of big trade networks, sharing things they made or grew, like minerals and pottery, with other groups.

Culture

Main article: Mixtec

Language and writing

The Mixtecs spoke many types of the Mixtec language before the Spanish arrived. These languages were related but hard to understand between groups. Over time, the languages changed, especially as people moved.

The Dominican friars helped create a written form of the Mixtec language. They made books and guides to help people learn. The Mixtecs also had their own way of writing using pictures, called a pictographic writing system. These pictures were kept in special books called codices.

Writing

Main article: Mixtec writing

The Mixtecs made their own writing using pictures and symbols. Early writing can be seen in old stone carvings. Later, they mixed pictures with symbols. This writing helped them remember their history and beliefs.

Religion

The Mixtecs believed in many spirits and forces of nature. They thought the world was created and destroyed many times. They worshipped the rain god Dzahui, who was very important to them. They also honoured an old fire god in some areas.

The Mixtecs had special priests who led ceremonies. These priests were respected for their knowledge.

Arts

Mixtec art was often used for religious purposes or by leaders. They made beautiful pottery, especially later on. Their pottery was thin, red or brown, and had detailed designs. They also made small carved objects from bone, wood, and stone.

Clothing

The Mixtec woman

Mixtec women wore special clothes. They had embroidered blouses and skirts with ribbons. They also wore shawls and necklaces, and styled their hair in braids with ribbons and flowers.

The Mixtec man

Mixtec men wore trousers and shirts made of blankets. They also had special belts and hats, and wore sandals called huaraches.

Metallurgy

Main article: Metallurgy in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica

Metallurgy began late in Mesoamerica. The Mixtecs learned to work with metals like copper and gold later on. They made tools and beautiful jewellery. Gold was very special to them and was often combined with turquoise in their designs.