PXL_20250424_224347720

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 07:49:22 +0100

THE ZAPOTEC SOCIETY

The Zapotecs called themselves ben'zaa "people
of the clouds", the designation "Zapoteca" is Nahuatl and
means "people of the Zapote"; the society was
divided into nobles, priests, people and slaves. Between
the nobles were distinguished the tija coqui or rulers.
They wore elegant clothes, and wore variety of jewelry.
The ruler was called Coquihalao and received his rank
vitality through succession. The commoners used
clothes made of maguey fibers and had banned the
use of precious materials. The Pineapple slaves were
prisoners taken in war or fell into that state
by debts; these could be bought in the city
of Miahuatlán, headquarters of the most important market of
slaves.