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Mixtec

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An ancient Mixtec funerary mask from Monte Alban, on display at the Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca.

The Mixtec People

The Mixtec people are an ancient group from Mexico. They live mainly in a place called La Mixteca, which is in the states of Oaxaca, Puebla, and parts of Guerrero. Their culture, known as the Mixtec civilization, was very important long ago, starting around 1500 BCE.

The Mixtec area has three parts: the Mixteca Alta, which is dry and higher up; the Mixteca Baja, which is lower, hot, and dry; and the Mixteca Costa, which is wet and tropical. People have found signs that Mixtec families lived in the Alta area for a very long time.

Today, many Mixtec people still live in Mexico, and some have moved to places like the United States. They have their own languages, which are part of the larger Oto-Manguean language family. The word Mixtec means "cloud people" in an old language called Nahuatl.

Mixtec artists were very good at working with stone, wood, and metal. They made beautiful things like jewelry and special masks. One famous mask is made of turquoise, a blue-green stone. The Mixtec also made special books called Codices, which told stories and family histories with pictures.

The Mixtec people have a rich history and many traditions that continue today. They are known for their skill in art and their strong sense of community.

Images

Traditional Mexican dancers performing the Jarabe Mixteco during the Guelaguetza festival in Oaxaca.
Ancient Mesoamerican artwork showing Lord 8 Deer 'Jaguar Claw' meeting with Lord 4 Jaguar 'Face of the Night'.
A colorful turquoise mosaic mask from ancient Mixtec-Aztec culture, on display at the British Museum.
Archaeological site of Zaachila - Explore the historic Tomb 1 in Oaxaca, Mexico.
An ancient Mixtec screen fold book made from deer skin, displayed at the British Library.
A map showing the region of La Mixteca, home to the Mixtec people.
An ancient page from the Codex Bodley showing symbols and names of indigenous rulers.
An ancient piece of Mixtec gold jewelry decorated with turquoise, from Mexico.
The Avenue of the Dead with the Pyramid of the Sun in the background at Teotihuacán, an ancient city in Mexico.
An ancient illustration from a Mixtec manuscript showing traditional Mesoamerican art and storytelling.
Jarabe Mixteco
8 Deer Claw of Jaguar, Unifier of the Mixteca, receives the visit of 4 Jaguar

Related articles

Mexico
Puebla

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Mixtec, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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