Why should we know the Otomangues of Oaxaca?

Throughout Mexico, many linguistic families exist, among them the Otomangues. The indigenous communities that speak the Otomangue language cover the state of San Luis Potosí to Oaxaca, resulting in great cultural diversity.

Likewise, the Otomangues, although united by their kinship and languages, are very different from one another. For example, some Otomangues live in arid valleys like the Otomí. In contrast, others inhabit the tops of the great mountains of the sierras.

In this post, you will meet two members of this diverse family; the Mixtecs and the Mazatecs. Both are neighbors of the Otomangues and are found in various parts of Oaxaca. Their culture has transcended borders, and many foreigners come to Mexico to immerse in their ancient customs and learn about their worldview and history.

Travel through Mexico and learn about indigenous communities, languages, traditions, and culture.

The Mixtecs and archeology

The history of the Mixtecs is one of the few that are well documented. For this reason, we know much of their history and the instruments used by their ancestors. Likewise, knowing the present-day Mixtecs allows us to discover their thoughts and the love they have for their past and archaeological relics.

Did you know that Mixtec culture employed writing based on symbols and images, with which they documented historical events?

The Mazatecos and mushrooms. 

Tradition talks about the famous mushrooms used by the Mazatecos during their ceremonies and rituals. However, they turned out controversial at some point in the last century. Due to their history, that goes along with hallucinogenic mushrooms (such as peyote or hikuri for the Wixárikas). However, Mushrooms speak about the relationship that men have with the elements of nature.

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These two examples help to learn a little more about the Otomangues and nearby communities that inhabit the states of San Luis Potosi and Oaxaca. Hence, sharing their history and daily life makes it an authentic experience of millenary adventure worth knowing.

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