Villa de Zaachila
Encyclopedia
Villa de Zaachila is a town and municipality
in Oaxaca
, Mexico
, six km from the city of Oaxaca
.
It is part of the Zaachila District
in the west of the Valles Centrales Region
. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was the main city-state for the Valley of Oaxaca after the fall of Monte Albán
, and the Zaachila Zapotecs were the prominent political force for much of the Valley of Oaxaca when the Spanish arrived. Since then, it has been mostly quiet, but political unrest has been prominent since 2006 and the municipality has two parallel governments.
Zaachila is famous for its Thursday open air markets, which spreads over much of the center of town and has been a tradition since pre-Hispanic times. It is home to a mostly unexplored archeological site and is known for a dance called the Danza de los Zancudos, or Dance of the Stilts.
The official name is Villa de Zaachila (Town of Zaachila). The name Zaachila is from the Zapotec language and means “large leaf of the purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
, where the deities of the underworld were venerated. Late in the 13th century, the ruler of the Zaachila city-state began to grow in power to dominate much of the surrounding valley. Starting from around 1400, there are five known rulers of the “Zaachila yoo” or “house of Zaachila.” These rulers are named Zaachila I, Zaachila II and Zaachila III, Cosijoeza and Coijopij. The names of the first three probably come from the fact that these lords depicted in codices without names or at least without legible names. The last two were alive during the Spanish Conquest and the last, Coijopij, is depicted in the Lienzo de Guevea in Spanish dress on a Spanish style throne
The territory of these Zapotecs was considered vulnerable since the Mixtec
’s eastern border was nearby. Another threat was the Aztec
s, who had made incursions trying to control the trade route to the Isthmus
.The city of Zaachila became key to defending Zapotec lands. Despite these threats, Zaachila extended its power over a large area, so that the entire valley came to be known by the city’s name. The history of the Zapotecs and Mixtecs is one of war, strategy and alliances. Most alliances between the Zaachila Zapotec and the Mixtec involved the common concern of keeping the Aztecs out of Oaxaca. Zaachila II defeated the Mixe
s and other peoples on the road to Tehuantepec but was in relative peace with the Mixtecs. Zaachila III fought the Mixtecs and the Aztecs, but lost the capital of Zaachila, moving to Tehuantepec.
The last two rulers of the Zaachila Zapotecs were Cosijoeza
and Cosijopii, who were father and son. Aztec pressure forced Cosijoeza to allow trade passage and the establishment of an Aztec military outpost in what is now the city of Oaxaca. Cosijopii allied with the Aztecs and Mixtecs against the Spanish, regaining the lost city of Zaachila, but ultimately was unable to resist the Conquest. Both Cosijoeza and Cosijopii were alive during the Conquest and both were baptized by the Spanish as Don Carlos Cosijoeza and Don Juan Cortez respectively. They continued to control the key town of Tehuantepec
after the Conquest
Since the 2006 Oaxaca protests
, Zaachila has had two parallel governments, which have confronted each other numerous times. In June 2006, APPO took over the municipal palace, being one of the first captured by the dissidents during the unrest in Oaxaca state. This act eventually evolved into the creation of a parallel government, a “people’s municipality,” headed by Miguel Angel Hernandez Vazquez. This council rejected the government of then municipal president Jose Coronel Martinez and still rejects the “constitutional” government of Noé Pérez Martinez, accusing them of repression, abuse of authority, nepotism and other charges. The town’s support is divided between the two governments and each government has control of different aspects of the town. The constitutional government has control of police and other services. The people’s government has control of business taxation, which raises about 6,000 pesos per month to provide services such as trash removal. However, the streets are dirty and there is no police presence in the ten neighborhoods of the town. Citizen’s patrols have been organized but nighttime is still dangerous. From its inception, the “people’s government” has received international support from countries such as Venezuela
, France, Spain, Germany, Canada and Costa Rica
. In 2007 the state legislature recognized the “closure of powers” of the constitutional government but has not recognized the APPO supported government.
There have been a number of confrontations between supporters of the two governments since 2006. The largest occurred in 2008, when there was a confrontation between APPO and supporters of municipal president Noé Pérez Martínez. The governor of Oaxaca, Ulises Ruiz Ortiz was scheduled to appear in the town on a tour but opponents of the visit began to block streets. Supporters of Perez Martinez countered, and the father of the municipal president was accused of firing a shot towards the crowd. However, most confrontation between the two factions has come in the form of graffiti and political posters.
Another legacy of the events of 2006 is Radio Zaachila(XHZaa 96.3FM). It is one of eight stations that began to illegally operate around that time. It has been supported by the Section 22 of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación
(Mexico’s teachers’ union). In 2008, the homes of Melesio Melchor Angeles and Jorge Aragon Martinez were shot at, with the attack against Melchor Angeles occurring at 2:30 in the morning while he and his family were inside. Both had been accused by municipal authorities of being involved in the altercation that prevented the visit of the governor. The Secratariat of Communication and Transportation conceded an operating license to Zaachila Radio in February 2010 and efforts are underway to get licenses for the other stations.
with passion play
s, processions and other religious events, and Guelaguetza
, with a staging of the story of Donaji. At weddings, it is traditional to send a musical band to fetch the bride and accompany her to the church. Writer Gerardo Melchor Calvo has written about the stories and customs of the municipality, based mostly on local oral tradition. The book is called "Historia de un pueblo. Relatos y costumbres de Zaachila" Some of the stories include "La Matlacihua", "El Perro Negro", "La Procesión" and "La Marrana.” There are also descriptions of local events such as the yearly horse races on 24 July.
The center of town has a large plaza with a kiosk, which is surrounded by the municipal palace, archeological site and the church, called “Nuestra Señora de la Natividad” (Our Lady of the Nativity) . It has a stationary municipal market
in which can be found regional foods such as barbacoa
, “chichilo,” mole verde
, turkey in mole with rice, carnitas
and empanadas, served with tepache
, atole
, mezcal
and hot chocolate; however, most shopping is done on Thursday, the town’s market day.
Just outside of the town is its railroad station, built in the early 20th century when the Ferrocarril Agrícola de Oaxaca (Agricultural Railroad of Oaxaca). It is the oldest rail line in the Valley of Oaxaca, which was ceded to the Ferrocarril Mexicano del Sur in 1918.
, or outdoor market, is Zaachila’s weekly main event, which attracts people from various parts of the Valley of Oaxaca, many of whom are Zapotec-speaking peoples from the rural areas. The stalls spread for blocks below the archeological site and the main church. This market tradition dates back to pre-Hispanic times and has changed very little since then. This market is divided into three sections. The first is called the by the Zapotec name “Logueguindan,” which means “plaza of the people of the hills,” and is mostly dedicated to firewood and charcoal for use during the week. This market is located at the entrance to the town, and much of this is from the ocote tree which has a distinctive odor. This firewood is obtained from the surrounding hills by native Zapotecs and sold by women, with many of the transactions occurring in the Zapotec language. In addition to firewood, they may offer fruits and vegetables as well. The wood market also sells farming implements such as yokes for oxen. To bring the wood home, there is a service where blue carts pulled by donkeys or horses carry purchases. Although the market has existed for many years, only recently has it been formally organized with an administrator.
The second section is dedicated to the sale of animals such as goats, pigs, sheep, cattle and others. The third section is on the main square proper with a variety of products from the region such as foodstuffs and local prepared foods such as “capirotadas,” snacks made with chickpeas, nut cakes, sweet breads, candies such as tamarind balls and more. Other highlights include the scarlet-red pitacaya fruit and a foamy tan drink called “tejate,” which is a corn based drink flavored with chocolate, rose petals or ground mamey
seeds, sweetened with brown sugar juice and honey. Baskets and pottery are sold for household use
is next to the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Natividad”, the remains of the pre-Hispanic center of Zaachila, which was the local capital when the Spanish arrived. At that time, it was considered to be a second Tenochtitlan, as it sat on an island in the middle of a lake, which was called Roaló.The site consists of mounds that define a ceremonial plaza. The extension of the site is not fully known because many of the mounds, plazas and other constructions are currently covered by modern structures, which have destroyed or modified mounds and other artifacts. There is also a large unexplored pyramid. Although largely un-excavated, two tombs were discovered at the site in 1962. These tombs are thought to belong to important Mixtec
persons, as they contained a number of interesting grave goods. The first of these tombs has an entrance decorated with feline heads and inside were found seven figures molded from stucco, six placed in pairs on the side walls of the main chamber. In the antechamber, there are depictions of owls and people along with the date of Five Flower. The objects found in these tombs are now on display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City
.
who asked the community build a church in his name. The apparition appeared each day until it was captured by the local people and enclosed in a small church. Guards were posted at the entrance with rifles and machete
s. However, the next day, it was discovered that the saint was no longer there, and he appeared again to the old man who had originally seen him, indicated that God had sent him to protect the village. Eight days remained until the feast of Saint Peter, and the saint asked that the villagers form pairs on stilts to dance. On the feast day, the men danced on stilts while the women surrounded them with candles and incense. They dancers arrived at the foot of a hill where an image of the saint was found, which was brought to the San Pedro neighborhood where a church was constructed for it.
José Mendoza is the captain of the Zancudo group of the San Pedro neighborhood, and has spent about forty years recruiting dancers and training them. This includes teaching how to make the stilts made from ocote wood. These stilts measure two meters long and have a “foot” fastened by wire and rope. Recruited dancers are boys from 12 to 14 years of age and are trained for two months after they make a pledge to Saint Peter. At first, the boys balance themselves with safety ropes on their stilts. Only males are permitted to dance, with some wearing women’s masks. Performances can extend for hours, during which small gifts are distributed among the spectators from baskets. The dancers are accompanied by musical groups, “chinas Oaxaqueñas” and “monos de calenda.” These dancers perform the strenuous performance on the feast day of Saint Peter as well as at the Guelaguetza of Oaxaca and other dance festivals in Mexico.
, San Pedro la Reforma, Hacienda de Tlanichico y Noriega, Trinidad Zaachila
, San Pablo la Raya and Manteón.
The municipal seat is surrounded by low mountains, ten of which are the most prominent. The two main rivers are the Verde and the Atoya. It has a temperate climate with most rains falling in June and July. Wild flora that can be found here includes pines, oaks, willows and other trees, as well as medicinal plants. Wildlife includes deer, foxes, coyotes, opossums, rabbits as well as a wide variety of birds and reptiles.
Much of the economy of the municipality is based on small-scale farming and livestock raising as well as commerce. Agriculture occupies the majority of the land but only 15% of the people. Crops grown here include fruit trees such as apples, peaches, pears, tejocotes, oranges and limes, grains such as corn and various vegetables such as beans and nopal
s. Most of the crops are irrigation with groundwater which is found close to the surface. Mining and industries employ 27% while commerce, tourism and services employs about 55%.
The municipality has had problems with the illegal trafficking of land, the victims of which are having problems obtaining basic services. One area particularly affected is a zone called Zaachila Segundo. Here about 700 lots, with a value of 50,000 pesos each, are in question. The problem extends from the current rapid growth of the town, whose population is expected to grow by 240% by 2030.About 18,000 inhabitants of the municipality do not have sufficient water, electricity or drainage services.
A more serious problem for the municipality is the open dump that was opened about thirty years ago to receive waste from the city of Oaxaca and 18 other municipalities. The dump contains about 650 tons of trash and has space for more, but it is located in a geologically vulnerable zone, and since its establishment, many neighborhoods have been built near it. This means that a number of communities are having health problems due to contaminated ground water and airborne bacteria.
This is only dump for the entire Oaxaca city area. It began illegally but was legalized in 1986. However, by this time, there had already been a number of complaints from the neighborhoods of Vicente Guerrero and Emiliano Zapata near the site. The problems with the dump were bad enough that even those who made money from sorting through the garbage asked for its closure.The need to build the landfill was announced in 2000. However, the dump still continues to operate the way it always has, with no processing of the waste and minimal efforts in containing pollution.
Municipalities of Mexico
Municipalities are the second-level administrative division in Mexico . There are 2,438 municipalities in Mexico, making the average municipality population 45,616...
in Oaxaca
Oaxaca
Oaxaca , , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 571 municipalities; of which 418 are governed by the system of customs and traditions...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, six km from the city of Oaxaca
Oaxaca, Oaxaca
The city and municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez, or simply Oaxaca, is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of the same name . It is located in the Centro District in the Central Valleys region of the state, in the foothills of the Sierra Madre at the base of the Cerro del Fortín...
.
It is part of the Zaachila District
Zaachila District, Oaxaca
Zaachila District is located in the west of the Valles Centrales Region of the State of Oaxaca, Mexico.The district includes the municipalities of San Antonio Huitepec, San Miguel Peras, San Pablo Cuatro Venados, Santa Inés del Monte, Trinidad Zaachila and Villa de Zaachila....
in the west of the Valles Centrales Region
Valles Centrales de Oaxaca
The Valles Centrales is a region in the heart of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.It includes the districts of Etla, Centro, Zaachila, Zimatlán, Ocotlán, Tlacolula and Ejutla...
. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was the main city-state for the Valley of Oaxaca after the fall of Monte Albán
Monte Albán
Monte Albán is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site in the Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán Municipality in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca...
, and the Zaachila Zapotecs were the prominent political force for much of the Valley of Oaxaca when the Spanish arrived. Since then, it has been mostly quiet, but political unrest has been prominent since 2006 and the municipality has two parallel governments.
Zaachila is famous for its Thursday open air markets, which spreads over much of the center of town and has been a tradition since pre-Hispanic times. It is home to a mostly unexplored archeological site and is known for a dance called the Danza de los Zancudos, or Dance of the Stilts.
The official name is Villa de Zaachila (Town of Zaachila). The name Zaachila is from the Zapotec language and means “large leaf of the purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
History
After the fall of Monte Alban, the Valley of Oaxaca was divided into a number of city-states. They shared a religious center, MitlaMitla
Mitla is the second most important archeological site in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, and the most important of the Zapotec culture. The site is located 44 km from the city of Oaxaca. in the upper end of the Tlacolula Valley, one of the three that form the Central Valleys Region of the...
, where the deities of the underworld were venerated. Late in the 13th century, the ruler of the Zaachila city-state began to grow in power to dominate much of the surrounding valley. Starting from around 1400, there are five known rulers of the “Zaachila yoo” or “house of Zaachila.” These rulers are named Zaachila I, Zaachila II and Zaachila III, Cosijoeza and Coijopij. The names of the first three probably come from the fact that these lords depicted in codices without names or at least without legible names. The last two were alive during the Spanish Conquest and the last, Coijopij, is depicted in the Lienzo de Guevea in Spanish dress on a Spanish style throne
The territory of these Zapotecs was considered vulnerable since the Mixtec
Mixtec
The Mixtec are indigenous Mesoamerican peoples inhabiting the Mexican states of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Puebla in a region known as La Mixteca. The Mixtecan languages form an important branch of the Otomanguean language family....
’s eastern border was nearby. Another threat was the Aztec
Aztec
The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a period referred to as the late post-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology.Aztec is the...
s, who had made incursions trying to control the trade route to the Isthmus
Isthmus of Tehuantepec
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec is an isthmus in Mexico. It represents the shortest distance between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, and prior to the opening of the Panama Canal was a major shipping route known simply as the Tehuantepec Route...
.The city of Zaachila became key to defending Zapotec lands. Despite these threats, Zaachila extended its power over a large area, so that the entire valley came to be known by the city’s name. The history of the Zapotecs and Mixtecs is one of war, strategy and alliances. Most alliances between the Zaachila Zapotec and the Mixtec involved the common concern of keeping the Aztecs out of Oaxaca. Zaachila II defeated the Mixe
Mixe
The Mixe or Mije is an indigenous group inhabiting the eastern highlands of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. They speak the Mixe languages which are classified in the Mixe–Zoque family, and are more culturally conservative than other indigenous groups of the region, maintaining their language to this...
s and other peoples on the road to Tehuantepec but was in relative peace with the Mixtecs. Zaachila III fought the Mixtecs and the Aztecs, but lost the capital of Zaachila, moving to Tehuantepec.
The last two rulers of the Zaachila Zapotecs were Cosijoeza
Cosijoeza
Cosijoeza or Cocijoeza was the fourth ruler of the Zapotec kingdom of Zaachila from 1487 until his death in 1529. He led an alliance of Zapotecs and Mixtecs against the armies of the Aztecs....
and Cosijopii, who were father and son. Aztec pressure forced Cosijoeza to allow trade passage and the establishment of an Aztec military outpost in what is now the city of Oaxaca. Cosijopii allied with the Aztecs and Mixtecs against the Spanish, regaining the lost city of Zaachila, but ultimately was unable to resist the Conquest. Both Cosijoeza and Cosijopii were alive during the Conquest and both were baptized by the Spanish as Don Carlos Cosijoeza and Don Juan Cortez respectively. They continued to control the key town of Tehuantepec
Tehuantepec
Tehuantepec is a city and municipality in the southeast of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is part of the Tehuantepec District in the west of the Istmo Region. The area was important in pre Hispanic period as part of a trade route that connected Central America with what is now the center of...
after the Conquest
Since the 2006 Oaxaca protests
2006 Oaxaca protests
The Mexican state of Oaxaca was embroiled in a conflict that lasted more than seven months and resulted in at least seventeen deaths and the occupation of the capital city of Oaxaca by the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca . The conflict emerged in May 2006 with the police responding to a...
, Zaachila has had two parallel governments, which have confronted each other numerous times. In June 2006, APPO took over the municipal palace, being one of the first captured by the dissidents during the unrest in Oaxaca state. This act eventually evolved into the creation of a parallel government, a “people’s municipality,” headed by Miguel Angel Hernandez Vazquez. This council rejected the government of then municipal president Jose Coronel Martinez and still rejects the “constitutional” government of Noé Pérez Martinez, accusing them of repression, abuse of authority, nepotism and other charges. The town’s support is divided between the two governments and each government has control of different aspects of the town. The constitutional government has control of police and other services. The people’s government has control of business taxation, which raises about 6,000 pesos per month to provide services such as trash removal. However, the streets are dirty and there is no police presence in the ten neighborhoods of the town. Citizen’s patrols have been organized but nighttime is still dangerous. From its inception, the “people’s government” has received international support from countries such as Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, France, Spain, Germany, Canada and Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
. In 2007 the state legislature recognized the “closure of powers” of the constitutional government but has not recognized the APPO supported government.
There have been a number of confrontations between supporters of the two governments since 2006. The largest occurred in 2008, when there was a confrontation between APPO and supporters of municipal president Noé Pérez Martínez. The governor of Oaxaca, Ulises Ruiz Ortiz was scheduled to appear in the town on a tour but opponents of the visit began to block streets. Supporters of Perez Martinez countered, and the father of the municipal president was accused of firing a shot towards the crowd. However, most confrontation between the two factions has come in the form of graffiti and political posters.
Another legacy of the events of 2006 is Radio Zaachila(XHZaa 96.3FM). It is one of eight stations that began to illegally operate around that time. It has been supported by the Section 22 of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación
Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación
The Mexican National Educational Workers Union is the largest trade union in Latin America, with over 1.4 million members. Formed in 1949, the SNTE is composed of local sections in each of Mexico's states...
(Mexico’s teachers’ union). In 2008, the homes of Melesio Melchor Angeles and Jorge Aragon Martinez were shot at, with the attack against Melchor Angeles occurring at 2:30 in the morning while he and his family were inside. Both had been accused by municipal authorities of being involved in the altercation that prevented the visit of the governor. The Secratariat of Communication and Transportation conceded an operating license to Zaachila Radio in February 2010 and efforts are underway to get licenses for the other stations.
The town
Zaachila has considerable cultural wealth with native music, dance, gastronomy and market days filled with flavors and colors, whose traditions have been preserved for generations. Many houses in this area still have wood stoves and/or a small fireplace in which food is cooked in the embers. The town is formed by ten neighborhoods called San Pedro, San Pablo, San José, San Sebastián, San Jacinto, Del Carmen, Soledad, La Purísima, La Virgen and Del Niño. Each has its own patron saint and corresponding festival. These festival are coordinated each year by formal committee which includes a president, secretary and other positions. Major celebrations celebrated by the whole town include Holy WeekHoly Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
with passion play
Passion play
A Passion play is a dramatic presentation depicting the Passion of Jesus Christ: his trial, suffering and death. It is a traditional part of Lent in several Christian denominations, particularly in Catholic tradition....
s, processions and other religious events, and Guelaguetza
Guelaguetza
The Guelaguetza, or Los lunes del cerro is an annual indigenous cultural event in Mexico that takes place in the city of Oaxaca, capital of the state of Oaxaca, as well as in nearby villages...
, with a staging of the story of Donaji. At weddings, it is traditional to send a musical band to fetch the bride and accompany her to the church. Writer Gerardo Melchor Calvo has written about the stories and customs of the municipality, based mostly on local oral tradition. The book is called "Historia de un pueblo. Relatos y costumbres de Zaachila" Some of the stories include "La Matlacihua", "El Perro Negro", "La Procesión" and "La Marrana.” There are also descriptions of local events such as the yearly horse races on 24 July.
The center of town has a large plaza with a kiosk, which is surrounded by the municipal palace, archeological site and the church, called “Nuestra Señora de la Natividad” (Our Lady of the Nativity) . It has a stationary municipal market
Traditional fixed markets in Mexico
Traditional fixed markets in Mexico go by a variety of names such as "mercados públicos" , "mercados municipales" or even more often simply "mercados"...
in which can be found regional foods such as barbacoa
Barbacoa
Barbacoa is a form of cooking meat that originated in the Caribbean with the Taíno people, from which the term "barbecue" derives. In contemporary Mexico it generally refers to meats or a whole sheep slow-cooked over an open fire, or more traditionally, in a hole dug in the ground covered with...
, “chichilo,” mole verde
Mole (sauce)
Mole is the generic name for a number of sauces used in Mexican cuisine, as well as for dishes based on these sauces...
, turkey in mole with rice, carnitas
Carnitas
Carnitas, literally "little meats", is a type of braised or roasted pork in Mexican cuisine.Pork carnitas is traditionally made using the heavily marbled, rich 'boston butt' or 'picnic ham' cuts of pork...
and empanadas, served with tepache
Tepache
The tepache is a drink made out of the flesh and rind of the pineapple, sweetened with brown sugar and cinnamon and sometimes beer. Tepache does not have a high quantity of alcohol, since it is left to ferment for only about three days. The alcohol comes mostly from the addition of a small amount...
, atole
Atole
Atole is a traditional masa-based Mexican and Central American hot drink. Chocolate atole is known as champurrado or atole...
, mezcal
Mezcal
Mezcal, or mescal, is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the maguey plant native to Mexico. The word mezcal comes from Nahuatl metl and ixcalli which mean 'oven cooked agave.'...
and hot chocolate; however, most shopping is done on Thursday, the town’s market day.
Just outside of the town is its railroad station, built in the early 20th century when the Ferrocarril Agrícola de Oaxaca (Agricultural Railroad of Oaxaca). It is the oldest rail line in the Valley of Oaxaca, which was ceded to the Ferrocarril Mexicano del Sur in 1918.
The tianguis
The Thursday tianguisTianguis
A tianguis is an open air market or bazaar that is traditionally held on certain market days in a town or city neighborhood in Mexico and Central America. This bazaar tradition has its roots well into the pre-Hispanic period and continues in many cases essentially unchanged into the present day....
, or outdoor market, is Zaachila’s weekly main event, which attracts people from various parts of the Valley of Oaxaca, many of whom are Zapotec-speaking peoples from the rural areas. The stalls spread for blocks below the archeological site and the main church. This market tradition dates back to pre-Hispanic times and has changed very little since then. This market is divided into three sections. The first is called the by the Zapotec name “Logueguindan,” which means “plaza of the people of the hills,” and is mostly dedicated to firewood and charcoal for use during the week. This market is located at the entrance to the town, and much of this is from the ocote tree which has a distinctive odor. This firewood is obtained from the surrounding hills by native Zapotecs and sold by women, with many of the transactions occurring in the Zapotec language. In addition to firewood, they may offer fruits and vegetables as well. The wood market also sells farming implements such as yokes for oxen. To bring the wood home, there is a service where blue carts pulled by donkeys or horses carry purchases. Although the market has existed for many years, only recently has it been formally organized with an administrator.
The second section is dedicated to the sale of animals such as goats, pigs, sheep, cattle and others. The third section is on the main square proper with a variety of products from the region such as foodstuffs and local prepared foods such as “capirotadas,” snacks made with chickpeas, nut cakes, sweet breads, candies such as tamarind balls and more. Other highlights include the scarlet-red pitacaya fruit and a foamy tan drink called “tejate,” which is a corn based drink flavored with chocolate, rose petals or ground mamey
Mamey
Mamey is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department*Parc naturel régional de Lorraine...
seeds, sweetened with brown sugar juice and honey. Baskets and pottery are sold for household use
Archeological site
The archeological site of ZaachilaZaachila
Zaachila was a powerful Mesoamerican city in what is now Oaxaca, Mexico, 6 km from the city of Oaxaca. The city is named after Zaachila Yoo, the Zapotec ruler, in the late 14th and early 15th century. It is now an archaeological site...
is next to the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Natividad”, the remains of the pre-Hispanic center of Zaachila, which was the local capital when the Spanish arrived. At that time, it was considered to be a second Tenochtitlan, as it sat on an island in the middle of a lake, which was called Roaló.The site consists of mounds that define a ceremonial plaza. The extension of the site is not fully known because many of the mounds, plazas and other constructions are currently covered by modern structures, which have destroyed or modified mounds and other artifacts. There is also a large unexplored pyramid. Although largely un-excavated, two tombs were discovered at the site in 1962. These tombs are thought to belong to important Mixtec
Mixtec
The Mixtec are indigenous Mesoamerican peoples inhabiting the Mexican states of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Puebla in a region known as La Mixteca. The Mixtecan languages form an important branch of the Otomanguean language family....
persons, as they contained a number of interesting grave goods. The first of these tombs has an entrance decorated with feline heads and inside were found seven figures molded from stucco, six placed in pairs on the side walls of the main chamber. In the antechamber, there are depictions of owls and people along with the date of Five Flower. The objects found in these tombs are now on display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
.
Dance of the Zancudos
The Dance of the Zancudos originated in the San Pedro neighborhood over 100 years ago and is one of the few places the dance can still be found. The origin of the Dance of the Zancudos is in a promise the inhabitants of Zaachila made to Saint Peter. The story behind it states that an old man encountered an apparition of Saint PeterSaint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
who asked the community build a church in his name. The apparition appeared each day until it was captured by the local people and enclosed in a small church. Guards were posted at the entrance with rifles and machete
Machete
The machete is a large cleaver-like cutting tool. The blade is typically long and usually under thick. In the English language, an equivalent term is matchet, though it is less commonly known...
s. However, the next day, it was discovered that the saint was no longer there, and he appeared again to the old man who had originally seen him, indicated that God had sent him to protect the village. Eight days remained until the feast of Saint Peter, and the saint asked that the villagers form pairs on stilts to dance. On the feast day, the men danced on stilts while the women surrounded them with candles and incense. They dancers arrived at the foot of a hill where an image of the saint was found, which was brought to the San Pedro neighborhood where a church was constructed for it.
José Mendoza is the captain of the Zancudo group of the San Pedro neighborhood, and has spent about forty years recruiting dancers and training them. This includes teaching how to make the stilts made from ocote wood. These stilts measure two meters long and have a “foot” fastened by wire and rope. Recruited dancers are boys from 12 to 14 years of age and are trained for two months after they make a pledge to Saint Peter. At first, the boys balance themselves with safety ropes on their stilts. Only males are permitted to dance, with some wearing women’s masks. Performances can extend for hours, during which small gifts are distributed among the spectators from baskets. The dancers are accompanied by musical groups, “chinas Oaxaqueñas” and “monos de calenda.” These dancers perform the strenuous performance on the feast day of Saint Peter as well as at the Guelaguetza of Oaxaca and other dance festivals in Mexico.
The municipality
As municipal seat, the town of Villa de Zaachila is the local governing authority for 25 other named communities, covering an area of 54.86km2. Just under half of the municipal population of 28,003 lives in the town proper, and about 2,317 people speak an indigenous language. The municipality borders the municipalities of San Raymundo JalpanSan Raymundo Jalpan
San Raymundo Jalpan is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of km².It is part of the Centro District in the Valles Centrales region.As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of ....
, San Pedro la Reforma, Hacienda de Tlanichico y Noriega, Trinidad Zaachila
Trinidad Zaachila
Trinidad Zaachila is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of km².It is part of the Zaachila District in the west of the Valles Centrales RegionAs of 2005, the municipality had a total population of ....
, San Pablo la Raya and Manteón.
The municipal seat is surrounded by low mountains, ten of which are the most prominent. The two main rivers are the Verde and the Atoya. It has a temperate climate with most rains falling in June and July. Wild flora that can be found here includes pines, oaks, willows and other trees, as well as medicinal plants. Wildlife includes deer, foxes, coyotes, opossums, rabbits as well as a wide variety of birds and reptiles.
Much of the economy of the municipality is based on small-scale farming and livestock raising as well as commerce. Agriculture occupies the majority of the land but only 15% of the people. Crops grown here include fruit trees such as apples, peaches, pears, tejocotes, oranges and limes, grains such as corn and various vegetables such as beans and nopal
Nopal
Nopales are a vegetable made from the young cladode segments of prickly pear, carefully peeled to remove the spines. These fleshy pads are flat and about hand-sized. They can be purple or green...
s. Most of the crops are irrigation with groundwater which is found close to the surface. Mining and industries employ 27% while commerce, tourism and services employs about 55%.
The municipality has had problems with the illegal trafficking of land, the victims of which are having problems obtaining basic services. One area particularly affected is a zone called Zaachila Segundo. Here about 700 lots, with a value of 50,000 pesos each, are in question. The problem extends from the current rapid growth of the town, whose population is expected to grow by 240% by 2030.About 18,000 inhabitants of the municipality do not have sufficient water, electricity or drainage services.
A more serious problem for the municipality is the open dump that was opened about thirty years ago to receive waste from the city of Oaxaca and 18 other municipalities. The dump contains about 650 tons of trash and has space for more, but it is located in a geologically vulnerable zone, and since its establishment, many neighborhoods have been built near it. This means that a number of communities are having health problems due to contaminated ground water and airborne bacteria.
This is only dump for the entire Oaxaca city area. It began illegally but was legalized in 1986. However, by this time, there had already been a number of complaints from the neighborhoods of Vicente Guerrero and Emiliano Zapata near the site. The problems with the dump were bad enough that even those who made money from sorting through the garbage asked for its closure.The need to build the landfill was announced in 2000. However, the dump still continues to operate the way it always has, with no processing of the waste and minimal efforts in containing pollution.