Oaxaca
The name comes from the nahuatl name Huaxyacac. This name was imposed by the Aztec conquerors during the XVth century. 2 great civilization lived in this region before the Spanish conquerors arrived, the Zapotecos and the Mixtecos.
The Zapotecos left in the city of Montealban a fabulous trace if their culture. The city was constructed between the years 500 b.c. and 100 b.c. and it acquired an important status among the region. The city gradually lost its influence from the year 800 a.d. until 1325 a.d. when it was invaded by the Mixtecos.
Mixtecos and Zapotecos fought for the control of the region, and during the XVth century a third culture became part of this fight, the Aztec or Mexica. Zapotecos and Mixtecos tried to avoid the Aztec control over the commercial routes towards Chiapas, Yucatan and Guatemala.
Today, Oaxaca is one of the poorest regions in Mexico. Oaxaca is one of the main sources of emigrants in the country, particularly towards the U.S. and larger urban areas in Mexico. This sociological phenomenon can be appreciated in the Oaxacan culture, and example is the "Mixtecan song" or "Cancion Mixteca", which is one of the most famous songs of the region.
"Mixtecan Song"
"How far I am from the soil where I was born,
an inmense nostalgia invades my soul
and seeing me so alone and sad, like a leave in the wind
I´d like to cry, I'd like to die of this feeling"
Today, Oaxaca is the region in Mexico with the largest ethnic and linguistic diversity in the country, 18 of the 62 different ethic groups live in the state: Mixtecos, Zapotecos, Triquis, Mixes, Chatinos, Chinantecos, Huaves, Amuzgos, Mazatecos, Zoques, Nahuas, Cuicatecos, Chontales, Chocholtecos, Ixcatecos, Tacuates, Tzotzsiles and Afromestizos.
The Zapotecos is the largest ethic group in Oaxaca, folllowed by the Mixtecos. These cultures together represent more than 50% of the indigenous dialects spoken in the region.
The Oaxacan richness in terms of diversity can also be appreciated in its food. among some of the most popular dishes, the traveller can find: the Tlayudas, Tamales, the Oaxaca Cheese, the Tasajo, the Mezcal and the Mole Oaxaqueño.
Oaxacan Art has also acquired international recognition. The manufacture of Alebrijes and "Black Oaxacan Pottery" has become a national Mexican symbol.
Oaxaca's historical center and Montealbán are considered world heritage sites by the UNESCO.
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