The Zapotecan Indians of Southern Mexico by G. W. CAVINESS.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 22, 1913

The Zapotecan Indians of Southern Mexico

By G. W. CAVINESS.

It is well known that when Mexico was discovered there were a number of different tribes of Indians, and although most of them have amalgamated more or less with the Spaniards, yet some of the tribes retain much of their tribal characteristics.

In the state of Oaxaca, especially in the southern part, there still exists a remnant of the Zapotecan tribe, said to number about one hundred thousand. They are civilized, but retain the use of their primitive language in the family, though in business and in the schools the Spanish is used.

They live in villages, and the land round about the village is held in common. Each family chooses a location in the village and builds a house, which is very primitive indeed. Poles are set in the ground at the corners and at convenient distances apart along the sides, and on these are placed beams which support the thatched roof made of palm-leaves. The walls, formed of small poles and twigs interwoven, are plastered with mud and then whitewashed. Usually there is no floor but the earth. Here they live; but each one goes outside the village and chooses a small patch of ground which he clears up and cultivates. This is his as long as he uses it, but he has no permanent title.

As a rule, the people are rather tall, strong, and well-built. Since their country is in the hot lands, their clothing is rather scanty and simple. The men wear cotton trousers and shirt, go barefoot, or perhaps wear sandals. The women also dress simply, though in the city of Tehuantepec they have a special costume consisting of a blouse, very high-colored, which leaves the arms entirely bare; the upper part of the skirt is usually of dark colors, but from the knee down it is pure white. The head-dress reminds one of a peacock’s tail, except that it also is pure white. It is spread out over the head, standing out in all directions about a foot, in a semi-circle. It is a sort of bonnet with a stiff ruffle. The whole dress gives the wearer a striking appearance. This is said to be the dress of the belles of the place, so of course is not worn by all.

The people, as a rule, are honest and serious, and religiously inclined. I have never seen people who would sit and listen to the preaching of the gospel with greater interest and attention. They seem to drink in every word, and at the close of the sermon nearly every one, whether a church-member or not, will give assent with a hearty “Amen.”

This people generally lead the simple life, and while they can not be called progressive, yet they do take considerable interest in education, some of them being quite well informed. In their own language they have scarcely any books, and the prediction is made that the language will die out in the near future. They are not much given to amusements. The principal entertainment, which doubtless they received from the Spaniards, is cock-fighting.

Their furniture is very rude and simple. The beds are pieces of tent cloth, each stretched between two poles, on crossed legs like a sawhorse; this, with pillow and sheet, is all one needs. The rest of the furniture consists usually of a few chairs, a table, and a few boxes set up on benches, in which they keep their clothes. While these articles of furniture are simple-looking objects, yet when one attempts to lift them, he finds they are very heavy. On asking what they are made of, he is told Caoba (mahogany). At times pieces of wood used as fuel for cooking will be found to be of this material. Think of using mahogany for cooking beans and tortillas!

From September to March the weather is pleasant, but the rest of the year it is warm. In some places, they tell me, it is even necessary to wrap the body in a wet sheet in order to be able to sleep.

Although these people appear so sober and even stoical, yet they are tender-hearted and affectionate. When one comes into close relationship with them, they are found capable of warm affection. Nowhere in the republic is the fraternal embrace given with a more hearty good will. Our work has made a good beginning in this tribe. We have four companies and about fifty or sixty believers, about forty of whom are baptized. There does not seem a more promising field in all the republic than this tribe presents. May the Lord raise up men and means that soon all the honest-hearted among them may hear the message God is sending the world in these last days.

G. W. CAVINESS.