Zapotec Culture

We explain what the Zapotec culture was, its religion, economy and characteristics. Also, what were their contributions.

What was the Zapotec culture?

Zapotec culture It was one of the oldest and most important pre-Columbian civilizations in Mesoamerica. It inhabited the highlands of the Oaxaca Valley in the Preclassic and Classic periods (between 500 BC and 900 AD), and came to cover areas of the current Mexican states of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Puebla.

Unlike other Mesoamerican indigenous peoples, the Zapotecs did not have legends about their migratory path. Instead, they believed in its direct origin from heaven, so called themselves “the cloud people.” perhaps also in reference to their settlement on high-altitude lands.

In historical terms, the Zapotecs began as agricultural societies in the valley of Oaxaca, were influenced by the Olmecs and developed an important urban culture centered on the city of Monte Albán. The name “Zapotec” derives from the word in the Nahuatl language tzapotecatl, which according to some scholars means “people of the sapote” (in reference to a type of fruit from the region).

Other Mesoamerican cultures were: Teotihuacan culture, Toltec culture, Mayan culture, Olmec culture, Totonac culture, Aztec culture, Mixtec culture.

Location of the Zapotec culture

The Zapotecs settled in the valley of Oaxaca about two hundred kilometers south of current Mexico City. In their beginnings they forged close commercial ties with the Olmec civilization of the southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Its capital was Monte Albán located about ten kilometers from the current city of Oaxaca. The city of Monte Albán turned out to be a strategic point, because from there you could see the central valleys (a set of three river valleys) and this fact facilitated the defense of the city and the territorial control of its surroundings. Additionally, the region was conducive to the development of agriculture, especially corn, and irrigation methods were developed.

In the capital, stepped pyramid-shaped structures and other monuments were built that functioned as sacred or ceremonial buildings, tombs and markets. Its architectural style had influences from the Olmec and Teotihuacan cultures.

Furthermore, the Zapotecs They developed several important settlements that were divided into three groups: those in the valley, those in the mountains (in the north) and those in the south (close to the isthmus of Tehuantepec). They managed to dominate these lands through military conquest.

Around 700 AD. C. Monte Albán entered into decline and the era of splendor of the Zapotec culture ended. In 900 AD. C. the Zapotec city of Mitla (in the valley of Oaxaca) became the most important of this culture, notable for its architecture with ornate buildings arranged around plazas.

Characteristics of the Zapotec culture

Among the general characteristics of the Zapotec culture The influence they received from the Olmecs stood out the first great Mesoamerican civilization. For example, in art with the use of precious stones, in architecture with pyramid-shaped buildings and in religion with the worship of multiple gods.

The social organization of the Zapotecs was hierarchical and more complex compared to that of the Olmecs. However, in both civilizations religion occupied a central place in government. The social structure was organized as a pyramid with the following strata:

• Ruling priests. They were the most powerful sector, made up of priests with religious and political power who governed the different cities.
• Elite. It was the sector made up of high warriors, nobles or chiefs and government officials.
• Merchants. They were the sector that, due to its commercial activities, had a certain prestige that differentiated it from the majority of the population.
• Artisans and farmers. They were the majority sector of the population, made up of farmers, weavers and potters, among others.
• Slaves. They were the lowest sector, made up of prisoners of war or people arrested for committing crimes. They were used in various jobs or to be sacrificed as an offering to the gods.

The Zapotec culture was characterized by its great warriors. Peasants and slaves were forced to go to war and were led by noble warriors. Several stelae from the early periods of occupation of Monte Albán, known as “dancers,” represented defeated and subdued enemy leaders.

In 700 AD. C. the power of the Zapotec capital of Monte Albán declined. The cause is not known, since there are no traces of violence or war. From there, the city of Mitla became the main center of the Zapotecs.

During the Spanish conquest, the pyramidal society of the Zapotecs was almost completely reduced to tribute-paying peasants. Currently, Zapotec inhabitants predominate in some rural areas of southern Mexico with a culture that unifies modern, colonial and pre-Hispanic characteristics.

The most famous Mexican of Zapotec origin was Benito Juárez, born in the town of Guelatao, in the mountain range that today bears the name of Sierra Juárez. He was president of Mexico from 1858 to 1872. Other renowned Zapotecs are the writers Víctor de la Cruz, Víctor Terán, Natalia Toledo Paz and Mario Molina Cruz.

Economy of the Zapotec culture

The Zapotec economy It was based on the cultivation of corn, beans, pumpkin, chili, cocoa and cotton and in hunting, fishing and gathering wild fruits.

The Zapotecs were characterized by innovative practices to increase the efficiency of agriculture. For example, developed artificial terraces on the slopes of the valleys in a staggered manner which were watered by extensive canals that fed from natural springs and helped maximize the use of the soil.

These advances made it possible to supply internal and external consumption, since the Zapotecs marketed their products, both agricultural and artisanal (ceramics and fabrics) with nearby towns.

Gods of Zapotec culture

Like other Mesoamerican cultures, The Zapotecs were polytheistic, that is, they believed in several gods. Their religious practices stood out for the worship of gods linked to nature and agriculture. Some of these gods were also part of the pantheon of other Mesoamerican cultures.

Their offerings and sacrifices were mainly dedicated to the following gods:

• Cocijo. God of rain and storms.
• Copijcha Tlatlauhaqui. God of the Sun.
• Pitao Cozobi. God of corn.
• Coqui Bezelao. God of the dead.
• Coqui Xee. God of creation.
• Xonaxi Quecuya. Goddess of earthquakes and death.
• Xipe Totec. God of spring and vegetation.

The Zapotec religion It was also based on ancestor worship and in the belief in an afterlife where dead relatives lived. In the Monte Albán area, more than two hundred underground tombs were found, many of them with vaults and antechambers and decorated walls that denote the wealth of the city and the individuals. buried.

The tombs show signs of having been opened regularly, which shows the concern of the Zapotecs for the cult of their ancestors.

Customs of the Zapotec culture

Among the customs of contemporary Zapotec culture, which combines pre-Hispanic and colonial traditions, the following stand out:

• the day of the dead. It is one of the celebrations of the religious calendar of the Zapotecs and consists of making offerings to the deceased so that they intercede with the lords of the “beyond” in favor of fertility and the agricultural cycle, or as a way of remembering the beings dear ones. Unlike other parts of Mexico, the Day of the Dead of the Zapotec culture is not celebrated on November 1 and 2 but from October 30 and 31.
• The guelaguetza. It is a Zapotec celebration in which indigenous traditions are combined with the Catholic cult of the Virgin of Carmen. It takes place in the city of Oaxaca and is one of the largest festivities in the state of Oaxaca, also called the “Mondays of the Hill” festival.
• The dance of the feather. It is a traditional dance that is part of the guelaguetza. It emerged in colonial times in order to represent the conquest of the central valleys by the Spanish and was used as a means of evangelization. The dance is performed by two groups: one represents the Spanish and the other the Mesoamerican peoples.

Zapotec language and writing

The Zapotecs spoke a language from the Otomangue language family from which the current Zapotec language comes, which also has multiple variants.

developed their own writing system based on hieroglyphic signs which they used to make inscriptions on stones, buildings and tombs. It was one of the first writing systems in Mesoamerica. In addition, they developed a numerical system represented by dots and bars, and diagrammed a calendar of two hundred and sixty days with hieroglyphs.

Contributions of Zapotec culture

The Zapotec culture was influenced by the Olmecs. However, the Zapotec civilization adapted inherited knowledge and achieved a sophisticated level in architecture, art, writing and engineering.

Among his main contributions to later civilizations are:

• The expansion of corn cultivation.
• The advanced irrigation system.
• The making of funerary urns, carved stones and other sculptural works.
• The monumental architecture, influenced by the Olmec and Teotihuacan styles.
• The creation of your own writing system.
• The creation of a number system.
• Creating a calendar.

References

• Britannica, Encyclopaedia (2023). Monte Alban. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/
• Cartwright, M. (2013). Zapotec Civilization. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/
• López Austin, A. & López Luján, L. (2001). The indigenous past. Economic Culture Fund-El Colegio de México.
• Manzanilla, L. & López Luján, L. (coords.) (2001). Ancient History of Mexico. 4 vols. National Institute of Anthropology and History.
• Marcus, J. & Flannery, K. V. (2001). The Zapotec civilization. Economic Culture Fund.