The Mixteca Region is a region in the state of
Oaxaca
Oaxaca, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Oaxaca, is one of the 32 states that compose the political divisions of Mexico, Federative Entities of the Mexico, United Mexican States. It is divided into municipalities of Oaxaca, 570 munici ...
,
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
, part of the broader
La Mixteca area which covers parts of the states of
Puebla
Puebla, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Puebla, is one of the 31 states that, along with Mexico City, comprise the Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 217 municipalities and its capital is Puebla City. Part of east-centr ...
,
Guerrero
Guerrero, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Guerrero, is one of the 32 states that compose the administrative divisions of Mexico, 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into Municipalities of Guerrero, 85 municipalities. The stat ...
and
Oaxaca
Oaxaca, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Oaxaca, is one of the 32 states that compose the political divisions of Mexico, Federative Entities of the Mexico, United Mexican States. It is divided into municipalities of Oaxaca, 570 munici ...
.
The region includes the districts of
Juxtlahuaca,
Silacayoapam,
Huajuapan,
Coixtlahuaca,
Teposcolula,
Tlaxiaco
Tlaxiaco () is a city, and its surrounding Municipalities of Oaxaca, municipality of the same name, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is located in the Tlaxiaco District in the south of the Mixteca Region, with a population of about 17,450.
The ...
and
Nochixtlán. The largest cities are
Huajuapan and
Tlaxiaco
Tlaxiaco () is a city, and its surrounding Municipalities of Oaxaca, municipality of the same name, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is located in the Tlaxiaco District in the south of the Mixteca Region, with a population of about 17,450.
The ...
.
According to the 1990 census the region had 556,256 people over the age of five, of which 227,680 spoke
Mixteco.
Handicrafts
The Mixteca produce diverse handicrafts including cups, masks, cotton and wool textiles such as towels, blankets, blouses, bags, belts, petticoats, embroidered shirts, cotton and wool shawls, reed baskets, furniture, candles, ceramics of different clays for different purposes, saddlery, rockets, knives, iron, grinding stones, brooms and fine palm hats. Women make the textiles and pottery in their free time.
Men are involved in blacksmithing, carpentry, cutlery and harness making, working at home.
Children begin to learn craft work about six years.
Because of its importance in the regional economy, the craftsmanship of palm products deserves a special reference.
Palms are used to make hats, mats, purses, toys, brooms, handbags and so on.
Social Organization
The Mixtec family is basically nuclear and patrilineal, although migration has influenced the family structure as men often spend long periods away from home.
Municipal authorities serve for one year only.
Judicial offices are held by the trustees and mayors, who serve as prosecutors and judges.
Farmlands are organized into
ejidos and municipal properties, and smallholders have autonomy within these properties.
The Council of Elders is important in some villages, although in others it has practically disappeared.
See also
Achiutla
The thumb is the first Digit (anatomy), digit of the hand, next to the index finger. When a person is standing in the medical anatomical position (where the palm is facing to the front), the thumb is the outermost digit. The Medical Latin Englis ...
Pre-Columbian spiritual and cultural center.
References
Regions of Oaxaca
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