La Civilización Maya, Numerales y Calendario Mayas by Luis Dumois

Numerales y Calendario Mayas Sistema numérico Los antiguos mayas descubrieron dos ideas fundamentales en matemáticas: el valor posicional y el cero. Sólo otra gran cultura de la antigü... read more

history indigenous-groups maya

Did you know? Oaxaca is the most culturally diverse state in Mexico by Tony Burton

The inter-census population count in Mexico in 2005 found that more than one million people in Oaxaca spoke at least one indigenous Indian language. Close behind came the state of Chiapas with about 95... read more

anthropology exploring-tourism geography indigenous-groups maps Oaxaca

Did You Know? Vanilla Festival in Papantla, Veracruz by Tony Burton

The Vanilla Festival is held in early summer every year in Papantla, Veracruz. The origins of the festival pre-date the Spanish conquest. Its timing is now tied to the Catholic celebration of the Feast... read more

exploring-tourism fiestas-traditions flora indigenous-groups Papantla, Veracruz

Did you know? In Chiapas, Mexico's Mam turn to organic farming by Tony Burton

Organic farming has helped some indigenous peoples in Mexico to reinvent themselves. How many people are there? According to INEGI figures, about six million Mexicans over the age of five speak at le... read more

anthropology flora indigenous-groups Chiapas

Did you know? Small village in Mexico wins UN Development Prize by Tony Burton

Every two years, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) awards the Equator prize (worth 30,000 dollars) to communities that have shown "outstanding achievement in the reduction of poverty thro... read more

culture-customs ecology geology indigenous-groups Michoacán

Did You Know? Sixty-two indigenous languages still spoken in Mexico by Tony Burton

As many as 62 indigenous languages are still spoken in Mexico. Most people realize that the national language of Mexico is Spanish and that Mexico is the world's largest Spanish speaking country. In f... read more

culture-customs indigenous-groups learning-language

The dance of the sun: Danza del sol by Sheila Forst Ruof

Every so often, an event or circumstance occurs which changes the way we think of ourselves, or our place in the universe. Today was a day like that. Late yesterday, a guest of my neighbor learned of ... read more

exploring-tourism fiestas-traditions indigenous-groups

The Family That Carves Together.... Eliseo Castillo, Enedina Castillo Castillo by Charles Dews

"Does your husband ever carve nudes," I asked Enedina Castillo Castillo, only half jokingly. She grinned up at me with those wise eyes. "Once he carved a David that looked like the one by Miguel Angel... read more

artists indigenous-groups

Along Party Lines by Karina Ioffee

No one had heard of Chiapas until January 1, 1994, when the EZLN seized government offices in the state capital of San Cristobal and five other surrounding towns. Now the Zapatistas are world re-known ... read more

indigenous-groups politics social-issues Chiapas

Huichol Voices by Christopher Jordan English

Summer solstice 2003 would be memorable. A local paper mentioned a Huichol vigil to be held near the shoreline of Mexico’s Lake Chapala at a site called Isla de los Patos. The ceremony was to peak on... read more

culture-customs exploring-tourism huichol indigenous-groups

Symbolic Huichol Art: Journeys of Vision by Judy King

As I walked through the gardens of La Nueva Posada, my eyes were riveted on the young indigenous girl seated on the garden wall. Her vivid yellow skirt and blue top reminded me of our magazine's masthe... read more

art huichol indigenous-groups Guadalajara, Jalisco

The Peoples of Mexico

Mexico is a country of colour, diversity, grand differences in geography, climate and perspective. The same is true of her people. From the mysterious origins and fates of her earliest inhabitants; th... read more

aztec huichol immigrant-groups index-page indigenous-groups maya

The Tarahumaras: An Endangered Species by Shep Lenchek

Never conquered by the Aztecs and despite being defeated by Mexican armies, the Tarahumaras still consider themselves an independant nation. So strong is this conviction that in the Fifties they more t... read more

indigenous-groups

The Post Classic Period ( 900 - 1521 ) Part 1 by Dale Hoyt Palfrey

While data on early Mesoamerican cultures has been deduced primarily from archaeological evidence, historians have utilized the written records of later cultures to produce the final chapters of pre-hi... read more

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Ethnic diversity in Mexico

Mexico is an ethnically diverse country. To understand México, one must understand her peoples, their history and contributions to what is the México of today. Within this section, we consider those ... read more

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African Roots Stretch Deep Into Mexico by Patrisia Gonzales and Roberto Rodriguez

March 3, 1996 -- In Mexico, various Indian peoples still play ancient instruments. And their songs and dances -- which tell of uprisings against their masters -- pay tribute to their ancestors. The... read more

history indigenous-groups social-issues

Bobby Vaughn's homepage: Afro-Mexicans of Costa Chica by Bobby Vaughn

Afro-Mexicans of the Costa Chica The purpose of these web pages is to introduce you to the culture and unique experience of Mexicans of African descent. If you are like most pe... read more

history indigenous-groups social-issues

The Costa Chica Of Guerrero And Oaxaca by Bobby Vaughn

The Costa Chica (short coast in Spanish) is one of two regions in Mexico with significant black communities, the other being the state of Veracruz on the Gulf coast. The Costa Chica is a 200-mile long ... read more

history indigenous-groups social-issues

The Classic Period (300-900 AD) Part 2: Cholula by Dale Hoyt Palfrey

The most important center of the Mexican highlands after the fall of Teotihuacan was Cholula, near the twin volcanic peaks Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl and the city of Puebla. The Great Pyramid there,... read more

archeological-sites historical-sites indigenous-groups Cholula, Puebla Monte Alban, Oaxaca

The Cuisine Of Veracruz: A Tasty Blend Of Cultures by Karen Hursh Graber

Exotic-looking even on a map, the Mexican state of Veracruz stretches along the Gulf Coast like the graceful tentacle of a sea creature. Within the boundaries formed by the warm coastal waters to the e... read more

cuisines food history index-page indigenous-groups Veracruz

Vanilla: A Mexican Native Regains Its Reputation by Karen Hursh Graber

Mention vanilla, and people are apt to think of the ice-cream flavor they select when confronted with a mind-boggling choice involving everything from chirimoya to cheesecake: "just plain vanilla." Wha... read more

food history indigenous-groups

Adding Zest To Summer's Bounty: Part 2 - Tropical Fruit Accents for Meat, Fish or Fowl by Karen Hursh Graber

Last month's column discussed buying and storing summer fruit, as well as the versatile fruit salsas which are perfect for outdoor dining. This month some ideas for using fruit as part of the main cour... read more

food history indigenous-groups

Mexican Chocolate: A Culinary Evolution by Karen Hursh Graber

Mexican chocolate refers to either the round, flat disks of cinnamon-scented chocolate found throughout the land, or the foamy drink made from them. This uniquely flavored sweet is popular in many othe... read more

food historical-sites indigenous-groups

Seasonal Dining: Mexican Wild Game - Part Two: Rabbit and Venison by Karen Hursh Graber

As discussed in last month's column, wild game played an important culinary role in pre-Hispanic Mexico. Although the Aztecs, Maya and other Mesoamerican people relied on corn as the staple food, along... read more

food history indigenous-groups

The Cuisine of Hidalgo: Spanning Climates and Cultures by Karen Hursh Graber

Over the years, on road trips from Central Mexico to various parts of the U.S., we have explored different routes, some more scenic than others. One of the most unforgettable included the state of Hida... read more

cuisines food history index-page indigenous-groups Hidalgo