The Zapotec, who refer to themselves as Binnizá (“people of the clouds”), are an Indigenous civilization native to the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. Archaeological evidence traces their roots back over 2,500 years to the early Formative period (circa 500 BCE), with major urban centers such as Monte Albán and Mitla reflecting a sophisticated society renowned for its architecture, writing system, and political organization.
The Zapotec language family comprises numerous dialects spoken across the Valley of Oaxaca and surrounding regions, making it one of the most linguistically diverse Indigenous groups in Mexico. Today, approximately 400,000 to 500,000 speakers remain, according to the 2020 INEGI census, with active language use in rural and urban communities.
Zapotec cosmology is deeply connected to natural cycles, sacred mountains, and ancestral deities. Their worldview integrates agricultural rites, calendrical systems, and ritual ceremonies aimed at sustaining cosmic harmony. Central to their beliefs is the notion of duality and balance, expressed through rituals honoring the sun, the moon, and earth spirits.
Cultural traditions include complex textile weaving, ceramic arts, and wood carving, alongside vibrant festivals such as the Guelaguetza, a celebration of community, dance, and reciprocity. The Zapotec have a rich oral tradition, preserving myths, histories, and ethical teachings through storytelling.
The Mexican Library’s Zapotec (Binnizá) section preserves linguistic records, ethnographic research, historical documents, and multimedia archives. These resources aim to support academic study, cultural revitalization, and educational outreach, highlighting the enduring contributions of the Binnizá people to Mexico’s cultural heritage.
Bibliography and References
Academic journals on Mesoamerican linguistics and Zapotec history.
INEGI (2020). Censo de Población y Vivienda — Zapotec language speakers data.
Ethnologue (2023). Zapotec language family profile — dialects and distribution.
Blanton, Richard E. (1994). Monte Albán: Settlement Patterns and Political Evolution of the Ancient Zapotec.
Joyce, Arthur A. (2014). Zapotec Civilization: How Urban Society Evolved in Mexico’s Oaxaca Valley.
INALI (2021). Lenguas indígenas de Oaxaca: Zapotec.
Spores, Ronald. (1993). The Zapotecs: Princes, Priests, and Peasants.
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage — Guelaguetza Festival.
Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) Zapotec archaeological and ethnographic studies.