Zapoteco - Zapoteco (English spelling)

An ethnic group living mainly in the central-eastern part of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. They speak various dialects of the Zapotec language family of the Oto-Mangue language group, but Spanish is also widely used as a common language today. They have a population of approximately 230,000 (1970). They settled in the Oaxaca Basin around the time of Christ, and developed a Classic culture (Zapoteca culture) centered around Monte Alban. They were later invaded by the Mixtec and Aztec peoples, and were incorporated into the Spanish colonial system after the 16th century.

Currently, the region is roughly divided into the Oaxaca Basin and the mountainous areas to the north and south of it, and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the east, and in addition to agriculture, which is centered on corn and beans, coffee is also important in the mountainous areas, and fishing in the isthmus. A unique market system has developed in response to these regional differences in livelihoods. At the "Guelaguetza" festival held every year in Oaxaca City, traditional dances are performed in national costumes from each region.

Incidentally, President Benito Juarez, who implemented liberal reforms in Mexico in the 19th century, was of this ethnic group.

[Nori Ishii]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

メキシコ南部、オアハカ州中東部を中心に居住する民族集団。オト・マンゲ語群サポテコ語族の諸方言を話すが、現在は共通語としてのスペイン語の使用頻度も高い。人口は約23万（1970）。紀元前後にオアハカ盆地に定着し、モンテ・アルバンを中心にして古典期文化（サポテカ文化）を開花させた。その後、ミステカ人、アステカ人の侵入を受け、16世紀以後はスペイン植民地体制に組み込まれた。

　現在、オアハカ盆地とそれを挟む南北山地と、東部のテワンテペック地峡部に大別され、トウモロコシ、豆類を中心とする農業のほか、山間部ではコーヒー、地峡部では漁業も重要である。こうした生業の地域差に応じ独自の市場システムが発達している。毎年、オアハカ市で開催される「ゲラゲッツァ」の祭りでは、各地方の民族衣装による伝統舞踊が演じられる。

　なお、19世紀にメキシコで自由主義改革を実施したベニト・フアレス大統領はこの民族の出身である。

［石井　紀］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例