May 30, 2014
In the early seventies, the traditional, somewhat isolated, weaving village outside of Oaxaca, Mexico was little known to the outside world, except for the intrepid traveler who made the effort to find it. At the time the village was relatively small, the roads unpaved, and services minimal. But the people had their weaving tradition and were producing pieces of high quality and originality. It was forty years ago, when I first visited the Teotitlan del Valle and fell in love with the weavings and the people. Little did I know how that visit would change my life.
High up in the mountains of south-central Mexico, Oaxaca is both the city and capitol of the state of the same name. Its history dates back more than five thousand years of continuous Zapotec culture. In spite of having been “discovered” by both visitors from other countries as well as from other parts of Mexico, the indigenous presence is still strong and thriving.
With a warm, pleasant but dry climate, Oaxaca is a center for various crafts, exemplified by its seven regions. Each of the regions has its own traditional dress which is still worn, especially for fiestas. The surrounding villages, too, are distinct, with specific crafts being done in many of them ranging from the beautiful black pottery in the taller (workshop) of Doña Rosa, to the popular greenware as well as some impressive figurative clay flower pots. Some of the villages, like Santa Domingo, are well known for their colorful and finely embroidered dresses and blouses, while other villages specialize in wood carvings or works of tin.
Most noticeable about a visit to this unique city is the sensory stimulation. Bright colors abound in markets and flowers are everywhere. Oaxacan cuisine has achieved much fame especially in the past decade and the rich aromas seem to permeate the air. Lately, too, many of the outdoor markets have gone beyond the traditional food and have come to include lighter fare and the many stalls featuring homemade desserts are virtually impossible to pass without buying several samples to take home. Chocolate and coffee are to be found in many shops, especially around the market and the mouth watering aromas are hard to ignore.
Always there seems to be music happening, from concerts in zocalo (the main plaza) to performances of folklorico dances.
There are many museums including the fine textile museum housed in a recently renovated and impressive building as well as an assortment of art museums including that of noted Oaxaca artist, Rufino Tamayo. From the small, delightful Bed and Breakfast of Casa de mis Recuerdos downtown to the elegant colonial style hacienda that houses the boutique hotel of Los Laureles with its exquisite décor and extensive landscaping just outside of the city in San Felipe del Agua, there are an abundance of accommodations with something for everyone.
There are more day trips to small and interesting Zapotec villages than can be listed (it’s nice to discover them on your own) as well as to the well known archeological sites of Mitla and Monte Alban, the latter built on the top of a mountain overlooking the entire valley of Oaxaca.
For many years, Zapotec weaving has taken its place among textile collectors as something of value and creativity. Along with the more recognized Navajo rugs of the Southwest in the U.S., these finely loomed Zapotec rugs trace their origins to the Spanish who brought the looms and the sheep to this continent. Since my first visit, I have acquired a major collection of Zapotec rugs, wall hangings and pillows to sell in my gallery, Starr Interiors, in the small art town of Taos in the mountains of northern New Mexico.
Now celebrating forty years of business and connection with the weaving village and its people, I has written my story along with a photographic accompaniment by my partner, John Lamkin. The book illustrates the strong personal connection of working with three generations of weaving families and the parallel journey shared. I feel that it illuminates the possibility of taking the road less traveled.
In this new mini-coffee table book, “Our Interwoven Lives with the Zapotec Weavers: An Odyssey of the Heart” we introduce the reader not only to a group of weaving families in the village, but to intimate insights of a relationship that transcends business. We explore the changes that have taken place over the past forty years as well as see some of the cultural characteristics that make this area so very special.
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Oaxaca, Oaxaca
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Oaxaca | ||
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| City & Municipality | ||
| Oaxaca de Juárez | ||
 A Street in downtown Oaxaca |
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Oaxaca
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| Coordinates: 17°04′04″N 96°43′12″W | ||
| Country | Mexico | |
| State | Oaxaca | |
| Founded | 1532 | |
| Municipal Status | 1879 | |
| Government | ||
| • Municipal President | Luis Julián Ugartechea Begué (PAN) (2011-) | |
| Area | ||
| • City | 85.48 km2 (33.00 sq mi) | |
| Elevation of seat | 1,555 m (5,102 ft) | |
| Population (2005)Municipality | ||
| • City | 265,006 | |
| • Seat | 258,008 | |
| Time zone | CST (UTC−6) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC−5) | |
| Postal code (of seat) | 68000 | |
| Area code(s) | 951 | |
| Website | (Spanish) /Official site | |
| Official name: Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán | ||
| Type: | Cultural | |
| Criteria: | i, ii, iii, iv | |
| Designated: | 1987 (11th session) | |
| Reference No. | 415 | |
| State Party: | Mexico | |
| Region: | Latin America and the Caribbean | |
It is nicknamed "la Verde Antequera" (the green Antequera) due to its prior name (Nueva Antequera) and the variety of structures built from a native green stone.[4] The name Oaxaca is derived from the Nahuatl name for the place, Huaxyacac, which was Hispanicized to Guajaca, later spelled Oaxaca. "de Juárez" was added in honor of Benito Juárez, who was a native of this state. The coat of arms for the municipality bears the image of the decapitated Donaji, who was an indigenous princess in the years immediately after the Conquest.[1]
Contents
History
The first Spanish expedition here arrived late in 1521, headed by Captain Francisco de Orozco, and accompanied by 400 Aztecs.[5] Hernán Cortés sent Francisco de Orozco to Oaxaca because Moctezuma II said that the Aztec's gold came from there.[6] The Spanish expedition under Orozco set about building a Spanish city where the Aztec
The establishment of the relatively independent village did not suit Hernán Cortes, who wanted power over the entire region for himself. Cortés sent Pedro de Alvarado, who proceeded to drive out most of the village's population. The original Spanish settlers appealed to the Spanish crown to recognize the village they founded, which it did in 1526, with land divided among the Spaniards of Orozco's expedition. However, this did not stop Cortés from driving out the population of the village once again and replacing the town council only three months after royal recognition. Once again, the original founders appealed to Spanish royal authority, this time to the viceroy in Mexico City, Nuño de Guzmán. This viceroy also sided with the original founders, and the town was refounded in 1529 as Antequera, in honor of Nuño de Guzmán's hometown. Francisco de Herrera convened the new, Crown-approved town council,[5] and the first layout of the settlement was mapped out by Juan Peláez de Berrio.[1]
In the meantime, Cortés was able to obtain from the crown the title of the Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, which contains the disputed village. This permitted him to tax the area heavily, and to have control of the territory that surrounded the village. The village was then in a position of having to survive surrounded by villages which answered to Cortés. These villages not only did not take orders from Antequera, they were hostile to it, mostly likely encouraged by Cortés.[5]
To counter this, the village petitioned the Crown to be elevated to the status of a city, which would give it certain rights, privileges and exceptions. It would also ensure that the settlement would remain under the direct control of the king, rather than of Cortés. This petition was granted in 1532 by Charles V of Spain.[1][5]
After the Independence of Mexico in 1821, the city became the seat of a municipality, and both the name of the city and the municipality became Oaxaca, changed from Antequera. In 1872, "de Juárez" as added to the city and municipality names to honor Benito Juárez, who began his legal and political career here.[1]
The 2006 Oaxaca protests began as a teachers’ protest, occupying the main square, or Zocalo, of Oaxaca city in May 2006. Increases in wages and employment benefits were announced a short time later, but an internal conflict in the local teachers’ union led to accusations that the bargaining had not really been in the teachers’ best interest. Work stoppage and occupation of the square continued from May 22 to June 1. At this point, radical groups joined in with the protest and the disorder grew, closing banks, access roads, the airport, access to stores and harassing the governor of the state in public appearances. Many of these groups merged with the teachers’ union to form the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO). The disruption turned into a siege that lasted five months.[2] Violence included the deaths of a number of people including Indymedia journalist Bradley Roland Will on October 27, 2006[7] and Roberto López Hernández and Jorge Alberto Beltrán on October 29, 2006 when over 10,000 federal police and army intervened.[8][9] The situation calmed in the second week of November when the Federal Preventative Police took over the city and disbanded the protests.[2]
Climate
Oaxaca has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw) with a wet season and a dry season. During the dry season, temperatures during the day remain warm with an average high of 27 °C (81 °F) in the coolest month, December, and an average high of 34 °C (93 °F) in April, just before the beginning of the wet season. Although daytime temperatures are warm, nighttime temperatures are cool with an average low of 9 °C (48 °F) in January . Due to its altitude of 1,555 metres (5,102 ft), the climate of Oaxaca is more mild than lowland areas with the same climate, resulting in cooler temperatures than lowland areas with the same climate. Precipitation is concentrated in the summer months with June being the wettest with an average precipitation of 172 mm (6.8 in).[10]| [hide]Climate data for Oaxaca (1951–2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 38.5 (101.3) |
38.0 (100.4) |
40.5 (104.9) |
41.6 (106.9) |
43.0 (109.4) |
40.0 (104) |
36.7 (98.1) |
36.5 (97.7) |
36.0 (96.8) |
35.5 (95.9) |
35.0 (95) |
34.0 (93.2) |
43.0 (109.4) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 27.6 (81.7) |
29.5 (85.1) |
31.9 (89.4) |
33.2 (91.8) |
32.4 (90.3) |
29.4 (84.9) |
28.5 (83.3) |
28.5 (83.3) |
27.8 (82) |
27.9 (82.2) |
27.7 (81.9) |
27.0 (80.6) |
29.3 (84.7) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 18.3 (64.9) |
19.8 (67.6) |
22.3 (72.1) |
24.0 (75.2) |
24.1 (75.4) |
22.8 (73) |
21.9 (71.4) |
21.8 (71.2) |
21.5 (70.7) |
20.8 (69.4) |
19.4 (66.9) |
18.3 (64.9) |
21.3 (70.3) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 9.0 (48.2) |
10.2 (50.4) |
12.7 (54.9) |
14.8 (58.6) |
15.9 (60.6) |
16.1 (61) |
15.2 (59.4) |
15.0 (59) |
15.3 (59.5) |
13.7 (56.7) |
11.1 (52) |
9.6 (49.3) |
13.2 (55.8) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 0.5 (32.9) |
1.0 (33.8) |
3.0 (37.4) |
4.0 (39.2) |
9.0 (48.2) |
9.0 (48.2) |
9.0 (48.2) |
9.0 (48.2) |
9.0 (48.2) |
4.5 (40.1) |
1.0 (33.8) |
0.0 (32) |
0.0 (32) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 3.3 (0.13) |
5.1 (0.201) |
13.1 (0.516) |
39.3 (1.547) |
86.4 (3.402) |
170.4 (6.709) |
116.3 (4.579) |
111.6 (4.394) |
135.6 (5.339) |
52.3 (2.059) |
9.3 (0.366) |
3.3 (0.13) |
746.0 (29.37) |
| Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 0.9 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 5.7 | 10.7 | 17.2 | 16.9 | 16.3 | 17.1 | 7.8 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 99.5 |
| % humidity | 47 | 42 | 41 | 42 | 46 | 57 | 57 | 57 | 60 | 56 | 52 | 48 | 50 |
| Source #1: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional[10][11] | |||||||||||||
| Source #2: Colegio de Postgraduados (humidity)[12] | |||||||||||||
Economy and tourism
The events of 2006 had a severe impact on the city's main generator of revenue: tourism.[2] The city is the primary attraction of the state, which also relies economically on tourism. Over the last 25 years, tourism grew to become be dominant factor of Oaxaca's economy.[13] 77% of the municipality of Oaxaca has employment related in some way to tourism. The attractions are the verdant landscapes of the Oaxaca Valley, and the architectural and cultural charms of the city itself.[13] The next largest economic sectors are mining and manufacturing, which employ 20% of the work force.[1]The city centre was included in a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO, in recognition of its treasure of historic buildings and monuments.[14] Tourist activity peaks in three seasons: Holy Week, summer (especially during Guelaguetza) and New Year. Many of the tourists who come during Holy Week and for New Year come from other parts of Mexico and include native Oaxacans returning to visit from their places of work. Most international visitors come in the summer.[2]
Notable sites
Plaza de la Constitución or Zócalo
The plaza is surrounded by various portals. On the south side of the plaza are the Portales de Ex-Palacio de Gobierno, which was vacated by the government in 2005 and then reopened as a museum called "Museo del Palacio 'Espacio de Diversidad'" Other portals include the "Portal de Mercadores" on the eastern side, "Portal de Claverias" on the north side and the "Portal del Señor" on the west side.[4]
The State Government Palace is located on the main square of Oaxaca City. This site used to be the Portal de la Alhóndiga (warehouse) and in front of the palace is the Benito Juárez Market. The original palace was inaugurated in 1728, on the wedding day of the prince and princess of Spain and Portugal. The architectural style was Gothic. The building currently on this site was begun in 1832, inaugurated in 1870 but was not completed until 1887. The inside contains murals reflecting Oaxaca's history from the pre-Hispanic era, the colonial era and post-Independence. Most of these were painted by Arturo Garcia Bustos in the 1980s.[1]
The Federal Palace is located across from the Cathedral and used to be the site of the old Archbishiop's Palace until 1902. Its architecture is "neo-Mixtec" reflecting the nationalism of the early 20th century and the reverence in which the Mixtec-Zapotec culture has been held in more recent times. The architectural elements copy a number of those from Mitla and Monte Albán.[1]
Northwest of the Zócalo is the Alameda de León, a garden area[4] that is essentially an annex of the main square. In 1576, viceroy Martín Enréquez de Almanza set aside two city blocks on which to build the city government offices, but they were never built here. One of the blocks was sold and the other became a market. Antonio de León, governor of the state of Oaxaca, lived in front of this market and decided to turn it into a park in the 1840s, making it a small replica of the Alameda Central in Mexico City. In 1885, a statue of León was added.[1]
Andador Macedonio Alcalá
The Macedonio Alcalá Tourist Corridor is a street paved with green cantera that was closed to traffic in 1985[15] and is now only open to pedestrian traffic. Along the street are notable places such as the original building to house the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez. The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (Museum of Contemporary Art) or MACO is located here as is the Plazuela (small plaza) Labastida and the Parroquia de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo (Parish of the Precious Blood of Christ).[4]Churches and religious buildings
The church and former monastery of Santo Domingo de Guzmán is located 4 blocks north of the Cathedral of Oaxaca. It was constructed between 1555 and 1666. It divides into two parts: the church and the former living/working areas of the monks. The front of the church is Renaissance-style, in the central relief, Saint Dominic and Hippolytus of Rome are holding up the church. After La Reforma around 1860, the church was converted into a stable, which caused serious deterioration of the building. It was returned to devotional use at the end of the 19th century. The living and working areas were converted into barracks and officers´ quarters. In 1994, work began to convert this area as the Centro Cultural Santo Domingo.[4]
The Church and ex-monastery of Del Carmen Alto belonged to the Carmelites who established themselves here in 1696. The complex began as a hermitage built over the teocalli of Huaxyacac, although in the late 17th century, much of this space was occupied by a jail and barracks. The project was financed by Manuel Fernandez Fiallo.[16]
Church and former monastery of St John of God (Templo y Exconvento de San Juan de Dios), Oaxaca's oldest church still standing, completed in 1703. This is where the first mass in Oaxaca was held in 1521.[1]
Ex monastery of San Catalina was built in the second half of the 16th century by Dominican monk Hernando de Carvarcos, who also was responsible for the Santo Domingo de Guzmán monastery. In 1862, the monastery became a jail and at the end of the 19th century, the southern part became the Municipal Palace. Since 1976, it has been a hotel, called Hotel Camino Real.[15]
Church of the Company of Jesus (Iglesia de la Compañia de Jesús), located to the southwest of the Zócalo, was built by the Jesuits in 1579 and consecrated to Francis Xavier and the Immaculate Conception.[16] The towers were destroyed by a series of earthquakes and never rebuilt. Inside the chapel is a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe with a prayer written in Spanish, English, Náhuatl as well as 12 other languages native to the state of Oaxaca, including 4 dialects of Zapotec.[4]
Museums and the arts
The Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Oaxaca, MACO) is housed in the so-called Casa de Cortés. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city and one of the most representative of non-religious buildings.[1] However, since it dates from after the death of Hernán Cortés, it could never actually have served as his house.[4] Although it has been modified somewhat over the years, it still conserves its basic layout with rooms surrounding three courtyards. The architectural style is basically Andalucian modified by Oaxaca traditions. The facade has two levels, and the doors and windows have lintels, and are protected by wrought iron railings. To the far left of the facade, there are two arched entrances that permitted entrance of carriages to the third courtyard. The main portal is Spanish Baroque and has three levels. In the first, there are two "tritóstila" columns that support the balcony which has wrought iron railings. On the second level two Solomonic columns flanking a window. The jambs of the window are decorated with circles and the lintel with inverted curves. At the top of the window is seal of the Jesuits. The third level contains a central niche with a sculpture of an archangel as well as the coats of arms of the Laso de la Vega and the Pinelo families. This group is flanked by Solomonic columns. The house was acquired by the state of Oaxaca and initially housed the Museo Historico Urbano de Oaxaca in 1986.[1] The museum was created with help from the state government, the José F. Gómez Foundation, painter Francisco Toledo and the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes. It permanent collection contains works by Rufino Tamayo, Toledo, Nieto, Aquinos and others.[18]
The Museo de los Pintores Oaxaqueños(Museum of Oaxacan Painters) is located north of the Alameda de León on Avenida Independencia in a former 18th century mansion. It is dedicated to local artists such as Rodolfo Morales whose work is on permanent display. The museum has also featured exhibitions by Felipe Morales, Rodolfo Nieto, Alejandro Santiago and Francisco Toledo.[4]
The Casa de Culturas Oaxaqueñas used to the Church and ex monastery Los Siete Príncipes dating from the 18th century. The only part still used for religious purposes is the small chapel. The complex was restored in the 1960s and in 1970, the Casa opened.[16] It houses the Instituto Oaxaqueño de la Culturas, which is a state government entity to promote culture and the arts.[15]
The Rufino Tamayo Museum (Museo Arte Prehispánico de Rufino Tamayo) or Museo Rufino Tamayo, has an important collection of pre-Hispanic art that the painter himself collected. He donated the collection, as well as the house that is now the museum to his home state (Oaxaca) in 1974.[4] This house, which was known as the Casa de Villanaza, was built in 18th century. It first housed the State Museum Archives, before becoming what it is today.[18] The museum exhibits over 1150 pieces from different Mesoamerican periods, including Mayan steles, ceramic dogs from Colima and stone faces from the Gulf of Mexico coast. The purpose of the museum is to show the aesthetic as well as the cultural value of these works.[4]
The Religious Museum of the Ex monastery of La Soledad is located next to the Basilica of la Soledad. It contains objects such as paintings, sculptures and vestments. It is located in the southwest portion of the old monastery.[15]
The Instituto de Artes Gráficos de Oaxaca (Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca) contains a large collection of graphic designs both present and past.[18]
The Casa de Juárez, is a museum devoted to the life of Benito Juárez.[1] It belonged to someone named Antonio Salanueva,[18] but Juárez lived here from 1818 to 1828 after arriving to Oaxaca city from his hometown of Guelatao.[1] It contains documents related to his presidency as well as furnishings designed to recreate the environment of that period. Its architecture is typical of homes built in this city in the 18th century and located on Garcia Vigil 609.[4] It also contains ordinary artifacts from that time period, some of which belonged to Juárez.[18]
Hemeroteca Publica de Oaxaca "Nestor Sánchez" (Nestor Sanchez Public Newspaper Library of Oaxaca) is located behind the ex-convent of Santo Domingo along with the Jardin Ethobotánico (Ethnobotanic Gardin) at the corner of Reforma and Constitución. These two occupy more than 2 hectares which used to be the gardens of the convent of Santa Domingo.[4]
Other cultural places of interest include the Alvarez Bravo Photography Center, the Oaxaca Stamp Museum, the Railway Museum of Southern Mexico (in the old train station) and the Planetarium located on the Cerro del Fortín.[4]
Monte Albán
Markets
Parks and gardens
Festivals and traditions
Guelaguetza
This rite was prohibited by the Spanish after the Conquest, who also destroyed the teocalli. In its place, they constructed the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmen, now known as Carmen Alto. The recently baptized Mixtecs and Zapotecs then replaced ceremonies to Centeótl with those to this manifestation of the Virgin Mary, at the same place, the Cerro del Fortín.[3]
This revised festival grew over time to be the largest and most anticipated for the town. In 1932, the city of Oaxaca realized its 400th anniversary and decided to combine these festivities with those of the Cerro del Fortín, adding traditional dances, music, regional cuisine and Margarita Santaella as the first Miss Oaxaca, in addition to the religious rites. The word "guelaguetza" is from Zapotec and means offering, sympathy, caring and cooperation. This first Guelaguetza was such a hit that organizers decided to repeat it every year at the Cerro del Fortin, on all the Mondays of July starting in 1953, becoming an amalgam of Oaxacan festivals from many parts of the state.[3]
Originally, the festival took place at the foot of the Cerro del Fortín, where the curve of the land makes for a natural theatre. Since 1974, many of the events, which have grown in number, have been moved to a number of different venues, included the then-inaugurated Guelaguetza Auditorium. This is a Greek-style venue with seats 11,400 people.[3]
One venue is the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, where regional band come to play, dressed in colorful costumes as part of the opening ceremonies. They march from here to the Oaxaca Cathedral, where they are joined by folk dance groups such as the China Oaxaqueñas, the Chilenas de Pinotepa Nacional and the Jarabes Serranos. Another major event, which takes place at the Jardin Socrates, is a beauty pageant for indigenous women from different regions of Oaxaca state. The winner represents the goddess Centeótl and presides over the festivities along with public officials. The Bamo-Stui-Gulal takes place at the Plaza de la Danza and represents the history of Oaxaca and the Guelaguetza itself. The Plaza is divided into four quadrants, each representing a different period in Oaxaca's history. One other event, hosted in the Auditorium is a reenactment of the Legend of Donají, which takes place at the time of the Conquest. On the streets of Oaxaca city, there are parades with children and giant paper mache puppets.[3]
Noche de Rábanos
The "Noche de Rábano" or Night of the Radishes is a traditional Oaxaca city tradition. Artisans show off designs done on large radishes, often decorated with other plant materials. The event only lasts a few hours but draws most of the city's population to the main square to look at the creations. It occurs each year on 23 December.[20]The event developed from a Dominican Christmas tradition, when they would have a large dinner on the night of 23 December. To decorate the tables, indigenous servants of the monks would carve radishes and adorn them with flowers and other plants. This led 23 December to the known as the Night of the Radishes. This led to a special market on this day selling the radishes along with two other popular Christmas plant materials, the Flor Inmortal (immortal flower) and corn husks. This market has grown into a major cultural event and now is sponsored by the city, which packs the main square on that day. The day also includes a competition where radish creations are judged by originality, technical skill and beauty.[20]
Donají
The story of Donají is that of a princess from pre-Hispanic Mitla. When she was born, a seer predicted that she would die for her country. When she grew up, her people, the Zapotecs, were involved in one of their many wars with the Mixtecs. One day, Zapotec warriors brought a prisoner, a Mixtec prince named Nucano, to Mitla. Taking pity on him, she took care of his wounds. When he healed, he asked her to let him go, which she did. The war continued with the Zapotec king and Donaji forced to abandon their capital of Zaachila. Peace negotiations were attempted but the Mixtecs did not trust the Zapotec king, taking Donají captive as insurance. This occurred during the Conquest, when the evangelization of the country had begun. Donají asked for baptism and was renamed Doña Juana de Cortés.[21]As feared, the Zapotecs broke the peace treaty, attacking Monte Albán as the Mixtecs slept. Donají was found in the Atoyac River, decapitated. Time passed. One day a Shepherd came to the place that Donaji was buried by the river. There was a fragrant lily flower growing. Fifteen days later, he returned to find the same flower, still fresh and fragrant in the same place as if a mysterious force was preserving it.[21] Her severed head serves as part of the coat of arms of the city of Oaxaca[1] and her story is reenacted every year at the Guelaguetza festival.[3]
Cinema
Every year in November, Oaxaca hosts the Oaxaca Film Fest.Food and drink
Other notable foods sold in markets include bars of chocolate (primarily used for making hot chocolate), traditional breads, and chapulines (fried grasshoppers with chile). Street foods include tlayudas, which are large, slightly crispy corn tortillas piled high with ingredients such as grilled beef (called tasajo), cheese, tomatoes, avocados, onions etc. Local drinks include those made with water, sugar and a flavoring such as aguamiel (honey water), trocitos de melón (melon), horchata (rice), tuna batida (cactus fruit shake), and nuez (nuts) as well as local fruits such as chilacayota and guanábana. In nearby Tlacolula and Ejutla an indigenous drink called 'tejate' is still prepared and sold in the local market. Known here as the drink of the gods, it is prepared with corn, cacao, cacao flower and the seed of the mamey fruit. As for alcoholic beverages, this area prefers mezcal, which, like tequila is made from a species of agave but the flavor is very different.[23]
As in other areas in Mexico, chocolate has had special importance here since long before the Conquest. Aside from being a foodstuff, it was also used as medicine and cacao seeds were used as money. The chocolate prepared in this city is well-known within Mexico, as it is distinguished by being flavored with cinnamon, almonds and sugar and is usually prepared with hot water or milk. It is usually served in large coffee cups with a local sweet roll. The best-known producer of this type of chocolate is Chocolate El Mayordomo, which recently has opened outlets in various parts of Mexico, esp. in Mexico City. In their main store in Oaxaca City, you can see them prepare the various types of chocolates they prepare including a chocolate pasta.[23]
Notable Oaxacans
- Benito Juárez
- Porfirio Díaz
- José Vasconcelos
- Ricardo Flores Magón
- Rodolfo Morales, artist
- Rufino Tamayo, artist
- Francisco Toledo, artist
- Lila Downs, singer
- Vinny Castilla, Major League Baseball player
- Gerónimo Gil, Major League Baseball player
- Macedonio Alcalá composer
- Nadia Yvonne Lopez Ayuso, singer
- Maria Sabina, shaman
- Carlos María de Bustamante, statesman
Education
Transportation
Oaxaca-Xoxocotlan airport (IATA code OAX) is approximately 7 km south of the city centre. Most flights are to Mexico City for onward connection, but there are also flights to Huatulco, Cancún, Tuxtla Gutierrez and Tijuana. United Airlines has flights between Oaxaca and Houston.The city has separate first class and second class bus stations, offering services to most places within the state of Oaxaca, including the coastal resorts of Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, Puerto Ángel and Pinotepa Nacional, and also long-distance services to Puebla and Mexico City and other Mexican locations such as Veracruz. There are several bus lines which run in Oaxaca. The largest is TUSUG, a type of "cooperative" company. All of the drivers own their own buses and are aided by other drivers in purchasing new buses.
The major highways serving Oaxaca are Federal Highways 175 and 131, southwards to the Oaxacan coastal resorts; National Highways 190 and 125, southwest to Pinotepa Nacional; National Highways 190 and 130, to Mexico City; the autopista 150D/131D, offering a more rapid route to Mexico City; and National Highway 175 north to Veracruz, Veracruz.
Surrounding towns
A number of small towns surround the main city and are closely linked economically and culturally with the main city. Some of these towns are known for producing certain crafts that are identified with the three central valleys of Oaxaca. In these towns one can see the workshops and the crafts being produced in the traditional manner although most of these towns' products are sold in the main city. Santa María Atzompa produces glazed, glass-inlaid pottery of green, while San Antonio Arrazola and San Martín Tilcajete make alebrijes, small painted wooden figures. San Bartolo Coyotepec is known for its barro negro pottery, and Teotitlán del Valle works with wool and llama to make tapetes, or more commonly, throw rugs. These rugs are known for their intense colors, made traditionally with natural dyes, made from cempasúchil (yellow), cochineal (red) and indigo (blue). In addition, Oaxaca city and surrounding towns have market days, where one can visit the tianguis (open-air markets) set up for that day. There are markets on each day of the week. Monday in Miahuatlan is for buying daily staples, and Tuesday, in Ayoquezco is noted for wood furniture. On Wednesday, people head to Etla and Zimatlán for dairy products, especially cheese. Thursday is reserved for the two largest tianguis in Ejutla and Villa de Zaachila. On Friday, in Coyotepec, Jalietza and Ocotlán cotton textiles, embroidered blouses, corn-husk flowers and glazed pottery from Atzompa are sold. Also Llano park in Oaxaca has a small market. Saturday is reserved for the main city of Oaxaca, and to finish, on Sunday mezcal is sold in Tlacolula.[4]Municipality of Oaxaca
As municipal seat, Oaxaca city has governmental jurisdiction over the following communities: Arbolada Ilusión, Camino a San Luis Beltrán, Camino Ancho, Casas del Sol, Colonia Buena Vista, El Bajío (Rancho Guadalupe Victoria), El Silencio, Entrada de el Silencio, Gloria Antonio Cruz, Guadalupe Victoria, Guadalupe Victoria Segunda Sección (La Mina), Lachigulera, Las Salinas (El Arco Grande), Loma Bonita, Lomas Panorámicas, Los Ángeles, Los Ángeles Uno, Miravalle, Paraje Caballetiyo, Paraje el Cerrito, Paraje el Pando, Paraje la Canoa, Paraje la Loma, Paraje la Mina, Paraje la Rabonera, Paraje Pio V (Ojito de Agua), Paraje Tierra Colorada, Pueblo Nuevo Parte Alta, Rancho el Chilar, Rancho los Girasoles, San Bernardo, Solidaridad, and Viguera The municipality has a total area of 85.48 km2[1] and a population of 265,006, 97% percent of which lives in the city of Oaxaca[24] While much of the indigenous population disappeared during the colonial era, sixteen different ethnic groups continue to inhabit the municipality. Spanish is the most commonly used tongue[13] but during the 2005 census, there were 20,109 people who spoke an indigenous language, between seven and eight percent of the population.[1]The municipality is bordered by San Pablo Etla, San Antonio de la Cal, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, San Andrés Huayapam, San Agustín Yatareni, Santa Lucía del Camino, Santa María Atzompa and San Jacinto Amilpas.[1] It is located in the Valley of Oaxaca in the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains, at 17°05′N 96°45′WCoordinates: 17°05′N 96°45′W near the geographic center of the state, and at an altitude of about 1550 m (5000 ft). The area is known as the three "Valles Centrales" (Central Valleys) region and is surrounded by thick forests of pine and holm oak.[4]
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