La CULTURA MIXTECA explicada: origen, religión, arte, características, tradiciones
Summary
TLDRLa cultura Mixteca, una de las más importantes de Mesoamérica, se caracteriza por su larga historia y maestría artesanal, especialmente en metales y piedra. Durante el periodo Postclásico, su influencia se extendió por el sur de México, hasta el llegada de los conquistadores españoles. Aunque nunca se unificaron políticamente, dejaron importantes testimonios en sus códices, que nos informan sobre sus mitos y eventos históricos. Hoy, los Mixtecos son una minoría indígena en México, con una presencia también en Estados Unidos y Canadá, manteniendo parte de sus tradiciones y costumbres.
Takeaways
- 🏺 La cultura Mixteca fue una civilización prehispánica de gran importancia en Mesoamérica, con una de las historias más largas de la región.
- 🌟 Su momento de mayor esplendor fue durante el periodo Postclásico, extendiendo su influencia por el sur de México hasta la llegada de los conquistadores españoles.
- 🏙️ Los mixtecos nunca formaron una unidad política que integrara todos sus asentamientos, a diferencia de otras culturas mesoamericanas.
- 🛠️ Se destacaron por su maestría en las artesanías, especialmente en el trabajo con metales y piedra, llegando a ser considerados los artesanos más famosos de México.
- 📚 Fueron autores de una serie de códices que nos permiten conocer sus mitos y eventos históricos.
- 🌧️ Su región, llamada La Mixteca o 'país de la lluvia', se localizaba en los estados actuales de Oaxaca, Guerrero y Puebla, con un perfil montañoso.
- 📏 Se divide en la Mixteca Alta y la Mixteca Baja, con características geográficas y de asentamientos distintas.
- 📅 La cultura Mixteca es considerada una de las más antiguas de Mesoamérica, con presencias desde el quinto milenio a.C.
- 📉 El declive de la cultura comenzó después de la división del reino creado por Ocho Venados, lo que debilita su fuerza militar ante ataques aztecas y españoles.
- ⛪️ Al principio, la llegada de los españoles fue bien recibida por algunos reinos mixtecos, quienes vieron en la alianza una estrategia para recuperar su libertad.
- 👥 Hoy, los Mixtecos son la cuarta minoría indígena de México por número de componentes, con una presencia extendida también en Estados Unidos y Canadá.
Q & A
¿Qué cultura prehispánica es considerada una de las más importantes en Mesoamérica?
-La cultura Mixteca es considerada una de las más importantes en Mesoamérica.
¿Cuál fue el periodo en que la cultura Mixteca alcanzó su mayor esplendor?
-La cultura Mixteca alcanzó su mayor esplendor durante el periodo Postclásico.
¿Cómo se dividía geográficamente la región ocupada por la cultura Mixteca?
-La región ocupada por la cultura Mixteca se dividía en la Mixteca Alta, que incluía el noroeste de Guerrero y el occidente de Oaxaca, y la Mixteca Baja, que incluía el suroeste de Puebla y el noroeste de Oaxaca.
¿Qué características destacaban los Mixtecas en el ámbito de las artesanías?
-Los Mixtecas destacaban por su maestría en la obra con metales y piedra, siendo considerados los artesanos más famosos en México.
¿Cuáles fueron las principales actividades económicas de la cultura Mixteca?
-Las actividades económicas de la cultura Mixteca estaban basadas en la agricultura, la cría de animales domésticos, la producción de carmín a través de la cría de cochinelles y el comercio de bienes y artesanías.
¿Cómo se describe la religión de la cultura Mixteca?
-La religión de la cultura Mixteca era animista y politeísta, con un panteón compuesto por deidades que representaban fuerzas de la naturaleza, y creían en el espíritu humano y en la vida después de la muerte.
¿Qué papel tenían los sacerdotes o chamanes, llamados Yaha Yahui, en la sociedad Mixteca?
-Los Yaha Yahui, o sacerdotes, tenían un papel muy importante en la sociedad Mixteca, siendo considerados capaces de transformarse en animales y poseer poderes sobrenaturales.
¿Cuáles fueron algunos de los dioses principales de la cultura Mixteca?
-Algunos de los dioses principales de la cultura Mixteca incluían a Dzahui, el dios de la lluvia; Cohuy, el dios del maíz; Yozotoyua, el dios de los comerciantes; Huehueteotl, el dios del fuego; Tonatiuh, el dios del sol; y Mictlantecuhtli, el dios de la muerte.
¿Cómo se organizaba la estructura social de la cultura Mixteca durante el Postclásico?
-Durante el Postclásico, la cultura Mixteca seguía un sistema de parentesco llamado hawaiano, que permitía la sucesión de derechos a través de ambos padres y favoreció la participación de las mujeres en posiciones de poder.
¿Qué cambios ocurrieron en la cultura Mixteca después de la conquista española?
-Después de la conquista española, los Mixtecas fueron forzados a abandonar sus costumbres y creencias, y muchas localidades desaparecieron o sus habitantes fueron reubicados, lo que llevó a una transformación en su organización social y cultural.
¿Cómo se ha preservado la cultura Mixteca hasta el día de hoy?
-A pesar de la presión por la migración y la asimilación, parte de las tradiciones Mixtecas se ha preservado, manteniendo festivales, el juego de pelota y una estructura familiar que refleja el antiguo sistema de parentesco.
Outlines
🏺 La Civilización Mixteca: Su Aplomo y Artesanía
La cultura Mixteca fue una civilización prehispánica de gran importancia en Mesoamérica, con una de las historias más largas de la región, aunque su evolución en los periodos Preclásico y Clásico es poco conocida. Se expandió por el sur de México en el Postclásico hasta la llegada de los conquistadores españoles. Los Mixtecas no formaron una unidad política, pero se destacaron por su maestría en las artes y oficios, especialmente el trabajo con metales y piedra, y por sus códices que documentan sus mitos y eventos históricos. La Mixteca, su territorio, se caracterizó por ser montañoso y se dividió en alta y baja, con influencias que se extendieron a lo largo de Oaxaca, Guerrero y Puebla.
🌾 La Economía y Sociedad Mixteca
La economía de los Mixtecas estaba basada en la agricultura, con cultivos como el maíz, frijol, calabaza y chile, y una red de intercambio que se desarrolló en el Preclasic. A pesar de la escasa información sobre el Clásico, el Postclasic fue un momento de esplendor. Sin embargo, la división del reino de Ocho Venados y las luchas internas llevaron al debilitamiento y eventual declive de la cultura ante los ataques aztecas y españoles. Los Aztecas exigían tributos a los Mixtecas derrotados, y solo la región de Tututepec logró mantener su independencia y aliarse con los Zapotecas.
📚 Los Códices Mixtecos y su Legado Cultural
Los Mixtecas desarrollaron un sistema de escritura influenciado por los Zapotecas, que combinaba elementos pictográficos y logográficos, y tenía un carácter tonoal. Sus códices, hechos sobre cuero de ciervo, documentaban eventos importantes y genealogías de familias, mostrando maestría artesanal. Además, la cultura Mixteca incluía una variedad de lenguas y dialectos, con el Protomixteco como su antecesor y la influencia de la colonización en su evolución. La religión era animista y politeísta, con un panteón de deidades de la naturaleza, y se practicaba el sacrificio humano como parte de rituales religiosos.
🎉 Las Tradiciones y Festivales Mixtecos
Hoy en día, los Mixtecos son la cuarta minoría indígena de México y han emigrado a ciudades grandes y a países como Estados Unidos y Canadá debido a la pobreza. A pesar de la pérdida de algunas costumbres, como el sacrificio humano, han preservado festivales importantes como el de los Muertos y el juego de pelota, y mantienen una estructura familiar basada en el sistema de parentesco hawaiano, que influye en la herencia y en la participación de las mujeres en la sociedad.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Mixteca
💡Preclasicismo
💡Postclasicismo
💡Artesanía
💡Códices
💡Agricultura
💡Religión
💡Yaha Yahui
💡Conquista española
💡Mixtecos actuales
Highlights
La cultura Mixteca es considerada una de las más importantes de Mesoamérica y tiene una de las historias más largas de la región.
La época de mayor esplendor de la cultura Mixteca fue la Postclásica, cuando su influencia se extendió por el sur de México hasta la llegada de los conquistadores españoles.
Los Mixtecas nunca formaron una unidad política que integrara todos sus asentamientos, a diferencia de otras culturas.
Los Mixtecas eran famosos por su maestría en las artesanías, especialmente en el trabajo con metales y piedra.
La región ocupada por la cultura Mixteca, llamada La Mixteca, se caracteriza por su perfil montañoso y está ubicada en los estados de Oaxaca, Guerrero y Puebla.
La cultura Mixteca se divide en la Mixteca Alta y la Mixteca Baja, con características de asentamientos distintos.
La primera presencia de la cultura Mixteca en la Mixteca se remonta al quinto milenio a.C.
La base de la economía mixteca era la producción agrícola, con cultivos como el maíz, frijoles, calabaza y chile.
La década posterior a la división del reino creado por Ocho Venados marcó el inicio del declive de la cultura Mixteca.
El Imperio Azteca comenzó una campaña de conquista contra los reinos Mixtecos a finales de la Postclásica.
La llegada de los conquistadores españoles no fue inicialmente rechazada por los Mixtecas, quienes vieron en ellos una oportunidad para recuperar su libertad.
Los Mixtecos son la cuarta minoría indígena más grande de México, con una presencia también en Estados Unidos y Canadá.
El idioma de la región durante la Preclasic era el Protomixteco, precursor de las lenguas Mixtecas que se conservan.
El sistema de escritura Mixteco combinó elementos pictográficos y logográficos y tenía un carácter tonoal.
Los códices Mixtecos son documentos importantes que preservaban la historia, creencias religiosas y genealogías de las familias.
La base de la alimentación de los Mixtecos eran los productos cultivados, especialmente frijoles, calabazas y maíz.
La economía Mixteca estaba basada en la agricultura, con intercambios de granos y artesanías a gran escala.
La religión Mixteca era animista y politeísta, con un panteón de deidades que representaban fuerzas de la naturaleza.
Los sacerdotes o chamanes Mixtecos, llamados Yaha Yahui, tenían gran prestigio por ser creídos con habilidades sobrenaturales.
Las ciudades Mixtecas, como Mitla, Tututepec y Tilantongo, eran centros ceremoniales importantes.
Los Mixtecos actuales han preservado parte de sus tradiciones, incluyendo festivales y el juego de pelota.
El sistema de parentesco Mixteco, conocido como hawaiano, permitía derechos de sucesión de ambos padres y favorecía la participación de las mujeres en posiciones de poder.
La sacrificación humana era una práctica ritual y religiosa en la cultura Mixteca, aunque ha desaparecido con el tiempo.
Transcripts
The Mixtec culture was a pre-Columbian civilization considered one of
the most important in Mesoamerica. Its history is also one of the longest
among the various cultures of the region, although little is known about its evolution
during the Preclassic and Classic periods. This civilization had its moment of greatest
splendor during the Postclassic period, when its influence spread throughout
the south of present-day Mexico, and lasted until the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. Unlike
other cultures, the Mixtecs never came to form a political unit
that integrated all their settlements. One of the best-known characteristics of
the Mixtecs was their mastery of crafts. Their skill led them to be considered
the most famous artisans in Mexico, thanks especially to their work with metals and
stone. In addition, they were the authors of a series of codices that have allowed us to know their myths
and historical events. Geographic location
The region occupied by the Mixtec culture was baptized with its name: La Mixteca.
In their language, the term means "country of the rain". Geographically it was located
in the south of Mexico, in the current states of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Puebla.
This area is characterized by its mountainous profile. The Mixtecs occupied two distinct areas:
the upper, comprising northwestern Guerrero and western Oaxaca, and the lower, comprising
southwestern Puebla and northwestern Oaxaca. Geographic division
The boundaries of the regions occupied by the Mixtecs are quite imprecise. Most
historians, however, agree on dividing its area of influence according to the
characteristics of the main settlements. Already in colonial times, the chroniclers distinguished
between the upper Mixteca and the lower Mixteca. In addition, many specialists link
the so-called Mixteca de la Costa, between the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca, to the above.
Origin and history The Mixtec culture
is considered one of the oldest origins of Mesoamerica. The
first signs of their presence in the Mixteca date back to the fifth millennium BC. C., although it
was not until agriculture was developed in the area that its culture began to take shape.
The first stable settlements in the region were established around the third millennium BC.
C. Its base was agricultural production, especially crops such as corn,
beans, squash and chili. Two thousand years later, during the
Preclassic, the settlements grew and began to create a network of exchange.
There is very little information on the history of this culture during the Preclassic and Classic periods.
The Postclassic, when they lived their moment of greatest splendor, is a much better known period
. Decline The
archaeological remains found allow us to affirm that the decline of the Mixtec culture began after
the division of the kingdom created by Eight Deer. When their domains disintegrated,
the old disputes and confrontations between each lordship reappeared . The result was
the weakening of their military strength against Aztec and Spanish attacks.
Aztecs The powerful Aztec empire
began a campaign of conquest against the Mixtec kingdoms at the end of the Postclassic.
When they managed to defeat one, they were forced to pay tribute to the Aztec emperor, usually
pieces made of metal and precious stones. The only territory that resisted these attacks was
Tututepec, which managed to maintain its independence and, in addition, allied itself with the Zapotecs to prevent the
conquest of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Spanish conquest
The arrival of the Spanish conquerors was not, initially, unwelcome by the
Mixtecs. For the kingdoms under Aztec rule, allying with the newcomers seemed like a
good strategy to regain their freedom. Thus, many voluntarily declared themselves
vassals of Castile and, thanks to that, they retained some privileges. Those
who did not want to ally with the Spanish were militarily defeated without too much difficulty.
However, the Spanish soon began to force the Mixtecs to abandon their customs
and beliefs. Later, as a consequence of the reductions, many localities disappeared
and their inhabitants relocated. Present
Today, the Mixtecos are the fourth indigenous minority by number of components in Mexico.
Factors such as poverty have forced the members of this people to abandon their
traditional territories. Most of them have emigrated to large Mexican cities,
although there is also evidence of their presence in the United States and Canada.
General characteristics of the Mixtec culture The first thing that stands out about the Mixtec culture is
its great duration. Historians have dated its presence in Mesoamerica to the Preclassic period,
around the 15th century BC. C. and lasted until after the arrival of the Spanish conquerors
. Language
The language of the region during the Preclassic was Protomixtec,
the antecedent of the Mixtec languages that are still preserved. Already in the Postclassic,
it is estimated that the inhabitants of the Mixteca region spoke three different variants.
Experts say that all three variants shared the same base and
that the difference lay in their use. Thus, nobles spoke one of the varieties,
another was used in everyday life, and the third only among merchants.
The colonization of the Coast by Mixtec peoples in the 10th century AD. C. was the beginning of
a differentiation between the Mixteco spoken in the highlands and its coastal variety.
This knowledge about the Mixtec language comes, for the most part,
from the work carried out by the Dominican friars in charge of evangelizing
Oaxaca. It was they who established a phonetic script of this language.
In addition, Antonio de los Reyes and Francisco de Alvarado, also friars, wrote the
first written grammar in the variant of the language spoken in the upper Mixteca.
Writing The
Mixtec writing system was highly influenced by the Zapotecs, although it did not reach the level reached by the Maya.
This system combined pictographic and logographic elements to record their ideas
or convey messages. In addition, it was a writing with a tonal character, which implies
that each word varied its meaning depending on the way it was pronounced.
Most of the remains of writing that have been found collected the narration of
some important events, as well as the name of its protagonists. However,
the most outstanding writings made by this culture were its famous codices.
Mixtec codices The Mixtec codices are
a series of documents that the members of this culture used to preserve their history,
explain their religious beliefs or record the genealogy of their families.
Important characters appeared in them, such as Eight Deer, with information about their marriages or
the military conquests they starred in. In addition to their testimonial importance,
these codices are also a great example of the mastery of Mixtec artisans. The
basis of the codices was deer skin, cut into long strips about 12 meters
long and about 30 centimeters wide. To file them they were folded as if they were a folding screen.
Food
The basis of the food of the Mixtec peoples were the products they grew,
especially beans, pumpkins and corn. Almost all of these foods were grown
around the settlements. To these products they added, less frequently,
meat from hunting, as well as some plants that they collected. After the conquest, in the
16th century, they incorporated elements such as sugar cane, bananas, wheat or lime into their diet.
Economy Like the rest of the
Mesoamerican cultures, the main base of the Mixtec economy was agriculture. Likewise,
they also exchanged grains and handicrafts with towns in their region or even further afield.
Agriculture The agricultural production of the
Mixtecs depended on the topography of the territory and on the rest of the environmental conditions.
For this reason, the type of cultivation varied depending on the area of the Mixteca,
since the environments were quite different. As was the case in almost all of Mesoamerica, the
most important product they cultivated was corn. Along with this cereal they also harvested significant
amounts of beans, chili and pumpkin. In some areas, if conditions permitted, they
developed crops of less common species such as cotton or cocoa.
Other activities Domesticated animals
were not too many. In this sense, the turkey and the xoloitzcuintle stood out,
which they used as a source of meat in the diet. Another economic activity in the Mixteca was the
raising of cochineal. This parasite was highly valued for obtaining a dye called
carmine, of an intense red color. This industry continued in the area
until the 19th century, when artificial dyes displaced natural ones.
Finally, the Mixtec culture also developed a certain commercial activity, under the form
of exchange. The most common products in these exchanges were the food they grew,
the aforementioned cochineal and some handicrafts. Soon, in addition, they began to trade in metals.
Religion Mixtec beliefs had several points
in common with other Mesoamerican religions. It was an animistic and polytheistic religion,
with a pantheon made up of deities that represented forces of nature.
On the other hand, the Mixtec culture affirmed that human beings had a spirit
and that there was life after death. This led them to honor their ancestors.
Priests Within the Mixtec social hierarchy,
its shamans or priests were among the most powerful classes. Called Yaha Yahui,
these religious figures enjoyed great prestige because they were believed to be
capable of transforming into animals and to have supernatural powers.
Main gods As noted above, the
Mixtec gods represented various forces of nature. The patron of this culture was Dzahui,
god of rain, who headed his pantheon. Other deities below Dzahui were Cohuy,
god of maize; Yozotoyua, god of merchants; Huehueteotl, god of fire; Tonatiuh, Sun god;
or Mictlantecuhtli, god of death. In addition to these gods, the Mixtecs also
worshiped Quetzalcoatl and Huitayuta. Main cities of the Mixtecs The Mixtec
cities did not usually have a large size. In most cases,
they were small villages near the fields. Among the most
important were Tilantongo, Milta and Tututepec, all ceremonial centers.
Mitla
The name of this town in the Mixtec language was Ñuu Ndyi, which means Place of the Dead.
It was located in the current Mexican state of Oaxaca, specifically on Mount Albán.
Even today remains of several important temples can be seen, as well as those of
some palace. Tututepec
The lordship of the same name was one of the four major kingdoms of the
Mixteca region and was located on the Coast. The name of the city and the manor comes
from the Nahuatl Tototepec, whose meaning is Hill of the Birds. Its moment of greatest splendor was
experienced when Eight Deer became its ruler and, from there, he began his campaign
to expand his domains and create the largest political unit in all of Mixtec history.
Tilantongo Tilantongo was the denomination
of the most important political center of the upper Mixteca during the Postclassic. Its history is
reflected in some of the codices produced by this culture. Between the 11th and 12th centuries,
this city was linked to Eight Deer, who established the capital of his extensive kingdom there.
Customs and traditions The Mixtec people who live in Mexico today
have preserved part of their traditions. However, some of them come from the mixture
between their traditional customs and the subsequent Spanish influence. Likewise, the
ancient codices and oral histories allow us to discover some aspects of his life that have disappeared today.
Festivals Although it is difficult to know
if this was the case in the past, the truth is that today the Mixtecs give great importance to
festivals. Thus, celebrations for births, funerals or marriages are frequent. In these
festivities, being elected mayordomo is a great honor. Another tradition deeply rooted in the culture of all of
Mexico is the Day of the Dead. Although experts do not think that this festival
has a single origin, it is believed that the Mixtecs may have contributed to its preservation.
Mixtec Ball Game As with many other
Mesoamerican cultures, the Mixtecs practiced, and still do, their own version of the ball game.
Kinship system The family is one of the pillars of the Mixtec culture
. One of the functions of the codices was to collect the genealogy of each related group,
which affected the inheritance system. During the Postclassic, the Mixtec culture followed
a kinship system that experts call Hawaiian. Through this type of
family organization, each individual acquired succession rights from both
parents. In addition, women saw their participation in high positions of power favored.
Today, that ancient system can still be glimpsed in the transmission of
land from father to son. Interpersonal relationships
There are not many historical data on this aspect, but the current Mixtec people give
great importance to social relationships. Even greetings are considered
indispensable. In fact, the reputation and consideration of each individual as a member
of society is closely linked to how they behave with other people.
Human sacrifice One of the
ancient traditions that has obviously disappeared is human sacrifice. For the Mixtec culture,
these sacrifices had a ritual and religious character. Numerous skulls have been found that
come from this custom, as well as remains of animals also used in these ceremonies.
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