In this article, we'll be unlocking the secrets of the ancient and fascinating Mixtec culture.
By the end of this article, you'll have a thorough understanding of the Mixtec culture, and what makes it so unique and special.
So, let's get started and unlock the secrets of the Mixtec culture!
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What is Mixtec?
The Mixtec was an ancient civilization in Mesoamerica.
They had their own writing system and many Mixtec kingdoms competed with each other.
Now there are about 800,000 Mixtec people living in Mexico and in the United States.
The Mixtecs are indigenous people from Mexico who have many names for themselves and their language.
They call their homeland La Mixteca, which means "the land of the rain".
Also, they built important cities and were known as some of the best artisans and goldsmiths in the area.
Mixtecs in the colonial era
The Mixtecs had their own language and culture during colonial times.
Then, Spanish conquered them in the 16th century.
The Mixtec people resisted Spanish rule until they were conquered by the Spanish and their allies.
They had similar social and political structures to other indigenous people, but didn't focus much on economic matters.
Some Mixtecs traded goods with Spaniards, but by the late 1700s, Spaniards had taken over most of the trading.
Some Mixtecs also worked for Spaniards or invested in their businesses.
Geography of Mixtec
The Mixtecs are ancient people from Mexico who lived in three different regions:
- The Mixteca Alta (the Highland Mixtec)
- The Mixteca Baja (the Lowland Mixtec)
- The Mixteca Costa (the Coastal Mixtec)
The Mixtec have an important sacred place called the Colossal Natural Bridge in the Coixtlahuaca Basin.
Language, codices, and artwork
The Mixtec people spoke different languages, including Cuicatec and Triqui.
They wrote their history and genealogies in deerskin in a special form called Codices.
They were also very skilled at making jewelry and mosaics out of gold and turquoise.
They gave these things as gifts and used them in ceremonies and funerals.