Google
 

Info in Spanish from the Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples (Mexico)

Info from the Summer Institute of Linguistic Study, include comments about the culture.

Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México
Info del districto de Jamiltepec
Info del districto de Zacatepec
Info del districto de San Juan Colorado
Info del districto de Pinotepa Nacional
Info del districto de Pinoepea de Don Luis
The Mixtec are divided into three groups generally the highlands of Oaxaca but also including Puebla, Coastal region and from Guerrero. These galleries represent those from the coast region of Oaxaca. I have visited this region frequently over the years when I was a handicrafts buyer, however during that time I did not carry a camera. The coastal region of Oaxaca was a lot wilder then, than it is now. The trip from Oaxaca City to Puerto Angel took 13 hours in a pickup in 1971 and sometimes longer if the road was washed out. Recent trips have seen a loss of traditional dress however there are still a number of older people and also active weaving in the region. Recently I saw (2005) weavers’ collectives from San Luis and San Juan Colorado at handicrafts shows in Mexico City.
MIXTECOS / ÑUU SAVI - The Mixtec call themselves the Ñuu Savi which means the "people of the clouds". They live primarily in the State of Oaxaca, with some in the States of Guerrero, and Puebla. They are one of the largest groups in Mexico with more than 500000 people. There are 189 municipalities located in the districts of Silacayoapan, Huajuapan, Juxtlahuaca, Coixtlahuaca, Nochixtlán, Teposcolula, Tlaxiaco, Putla y Jamiltepec there are 14 other districts with a minor presence in other areas. There are many different ecologies ranging from high mountain to coastal plains. Historically the Mixtec are divided into Alta ( 1700 meters) and Baja and Coastal regions . These textile galleries will divide the Mixtec into these regions plus a separate one for the Mixtec of Guerrero. According to the 1990 census about 400000 people still spoke Mixtec, according to the Summer Institute there are at least 25 dialects including Cuicatecos and Trique, and Amusgo.

The Mixtec are believed to have begun habitation of the region 6000 BC and began developing there towns around 700 BC. The period between 300 AC to 1000 AC cities and ceremonial centers were built along with the development of state religion and the organization of the state by city, town and village. There are 96 know archeological sites in the region. There was contact between the Mixtec and Xochicalco and Teotihuacán (the great ceremonial centers of commerce and culture in central Mexico). The Mixtec had a system for writing that are some of the best preserved they include the codices Víndobonensis, Nuttall, Bodley, Selden, Rollo Selden, Teozacualco y Nativitas.

Click to enlarge!