Crafts and cultures in Oaxaca
The state of Oaxaca is the fifth largest in Mexico and spans geographically from cool mountains to the warm Pacific coast.
The state boasts a staggering biodiversity: in Oaxaca alone grow 12,000 different species. At the same time it's one of the states with the largest number of different Native Mexican cultures: at present, 15 different ethnic groups live here and they make up about 30 percent of the population, with the Zapotec and Mixteca cultures dominating.
The excellent museum El Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca is located in the former Santo Domingo monastery in the town of Oaxaca. Here you find an exciting review of the state's history and cultures, from the pre-Columbian cultures to the present day.
The chart below shows a sample of the different cultures of Oaxaca.
Native Mexican groups in Oaxaca
Vibrant cultures, craftsmanship and gastronomy
In addition to the language, the various groups boast different traditions of crafts such as pottery, woodwork, weaving and embroidery, not to mention gastronomy.
Oaxaca is known for its delicious cuisine; you eat well in Oaxaca, both in the market and at expensive restaurants. Specialties of the Oaxacan cuisine include chocolate, a wide variety of moles and chiles, and what some call the protein source of the future: Chapulines.
Crafts and cultures in Oaxaca
Rosa del Mercado
In the Benito Juárez market in Oaxaca you can buy everything from Chapulines and Mezcal to hats, shoes and crafts. Hear Rosa from Teotitlán del Valle tell about the traditional designs and colours made from vegetable dye and hear about how she spends her time when there are no customers
Mujeres artesanas...
Muchos artesanos empezamos a superarnos
Oaxaca is famous worldwide for its skilled craftsmen and many Native Mexican groups.
Visit the cooperative Mujeres Artesanas de Oaxaca andhear María Aurora one of the founders, tell about her childhood in a family of craftsmen and show us the crafts of the different regions of Oaxaca.
Cada familia tiene su estilo
In Teotitlán del Valle, there are about 30 families working with tapestries, and the town is famous for their beautiful work. See yarn being spun, how fast they work at the loom and hear why it's normally the men that work the loom in Teotitlán.