Editing Oaxaca (section)

==Culture==
{{Further|Oaxacan Weddings}}

===Arts===
[[File:Jarabe Mixteco.jpg|thumb|Two young people dancing a [[jarabe]]]]
From the latter half of the 20th century, the state has produced a number of notable painters such as [[Rufino Tamayo]], [[Rodolfo Nieto]], [[Rodolfo Morales]], and [[Francisco Toledo]]. These four painters have been influential in the establishment of new movements of art from the state. These movements have spurred exhibitions, galleries, museums and schools such as the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (MACO) and [[Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca|Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca]] (IAGO).<ref name=goboax>{{cite web |url=http://www.oaxaca.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=241:francisco-toledo&catid=67:pintores-oaxaquenos&Itemid=106 |author=Gobierno del Estado de Oaxaca |title=Francisco Toledo |website=Oaxaca.gob.mx}}</ref> Many of today's artists from Oaxaca have been inspired by past indigenous paintings as well as the colonial era works of [[Miguel Cabrera (painter)|Miguel Cabrera]].<ref name="rincones1215">Akaike, pp. 12–15</ref>

The state has not produced as many writers as painters but some important names include Adalberto Carriedo, Jacobo Dalevuelta, Andrés Henestrosa and Natalia Toledo.<ref name="rincones1519">Akaike, pp. 15–19</ref>

Music and dance are almost inextricably linked to the state's folkloric heritage. Even more modern composers such as Macedonio Alcalá, Samuel, Mondragón Noriega and José López Alavés are strongly influenced by traditional melodies. Traditional music and dance has its roots in the indigenous traditions that existed long before the Spanish arrived. To these traditions were added elements from European culture and Catholicism. The three main traditions to be found in the state are those of the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs, with a small but distinct community of [[Afro-Mexican]]s. Some of the best known dances include Los Diablos, La Tortuga, Las Mascaritas and Los Tejorones. In the Afro-Mexican Costa Chica region, a dance called Las Chilenas stands out. La Sandunga is a song that typifies the musical style of the Tehuantepec region and a musical style called "son bioxho" is an endemic form of the [[son (music)|son style]] played with drums, an empty tortoise shell and a reed flute.<ref name="rincones2022">Akaike, pp. 20–22</ref>

===Food and drink===
[[File:Chapulines de Oaxaca.jpg|thumb|right|Various sizes of Chapulines at the Mercado Benito Juárez in [[Oaxaca, Oaxaca|Oaxaca, Mexico]]]]
[[Oaxacan cuisine]] varies widely due to the relative geographic isolation of its peoples, and the climates in which foods are produced.<ref name="oaxcuis ">{{cite web |url=http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/2266-the-cuisine-of-oaxaca-land-of-the-seven-moles |title=The Cuisine of Oaxaca, Land of the Seven Moles |first=Karen |last=Hursh Graber |date=January 1, 2006 |publisher=MexConnect |access-date=August 15, 2010}}</ref> Oaxaca's gastronomy is known for its "seven moles", [[chapulines]] (grasshoppers), Oaxaca [[tamale]]s in banana leaves, [[tasajo]] and [[mezcal]].<ref name="atraccul"/> Regional variations include the wide variety of vegetables in the Central Valleys region, fish and shellfish in the Coast and Isthmus regions and the year-round availability of tropical fruit in the Papaloapan area on the Veracruz border. Like most of the rest of Mexico, corn is the staple food, with corn tortillas, called "blandas" accompanying most meals. Black beans are preferred.<ref name="oaxcuis "/> Oaxaca produces seven varieties of [[mole (sauce)|mole]] called manchamanteles, chichilo, amarillo, rojo, verde, coloradito and negro.<ref name="rincones45">Akaike, p. 45</ref> These moles and other dishes are flavored with a variety of chili peppers such as pasillas Oaxaqueños, amarillos, chilhuacles, chilcostles, chile anchos and costeños. [[Dysphania ambrosioides|Epazote]], [[Lippia alba|pitiona]] and [[Piper auritum|hoja santa]] are favored herbs in Oaxacan cooking. The last is indispensable for the preparation of mole verde.<ref name="oaxcuis "/>
[[File:Making Chocolate in Oaxaca.ogg|thumb|left|[[Cacao bean|Cacao]] beans being ground & mixed with almonds and cinnamon to make chocolate in a Oaxacan [[Mayordomo|chocolate store]].]]
Chocolate, which is grown in the state, plays an important part in the making of certain moles, but is best known for its role as a beverage. The popular bitter chocolate drink, traditionally served cold in special cups (xicali) with a variety of spices, was once a favorite beverage among the upper classes of Mesoamerican societies.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ramos Cacciatore |first=Manuela |title=Oaxacanita Chocolate: Reviving Indigenous Mixtec cocoa traditions |url=https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/ip-at-work/2023/oaxacanita-chocolate.html}}</ref> The [[cacao bean|cacao]] beans are ground then combined with sugar, almonds, cinnamon and other ingredients to form bars. Pieces of these bars are mixed with hot milk or water and drunk.<ref name="oaxcuis "/><ref name="rincones45"/> Mexican entrepreneurs of the region aim to preserve Oaxaca's rich cocoa culture and its associated [[traditional knowledge]] collaborating [[Indigenous peoples|indigenous communities]] to revitalize these traditions and promote social, economic, and environmental development in the state of Oaxaca.<ref name=":0" />

[[Oaxaca cheese]] is a soft white string cheese which is similar to mozzarella. It is sold in "ropes" which are wound onto themselves into balls. It is eaten cold or lightly melted on quesadillas and other dishes. One unique aspect to Oaxacan cuisine is the consumption of "chapulines", which are a type of grasshopper that has been fried and seasoned with salt, lime and chili pepper.<ref name="rincones45" />

There is a saying in Oaxaca, "Para todo mal, mezcal, para todo bien, también" (For everything bad, mezcal; for everything good, the same.) Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks (as well as food items) based on the maguey plant have been consumed in many parts of Mexico since early in the pre-Hispanic period. The tradition of the making of the distilled liquor called mezcal has been a strong tradition in the Oaxacan highlands since the colonial period. One reason for this is the quality and varieties of maguey grown here. Some varieties, such as espadín and arroquense are cultivated but one variety called tobalá is still made with wild maguey plants. It is made with the heart of the plant which is roasted in pits (giving the final product a smokey flavor) and is sometimes flavored with a chicken or turkey breast (pechuga) added to the mash. It is mezcal, not [[tequila]], and may contain a "[[Maguey worm|worm]]", which is really a larva that infests maguey plants. The final distilled product can be served as is or can be flavored (called cremas) with almonds, coffee, cocoa fruits and other flavors.<ref name="rincones4445">Akaike, pp. 44–45</ref>

The town of [[Santiago Matatlán]] calls itself the world capital of mezcal. In many parts of the Central Valleys area, one can find small stands and stores selling locally made mezcal on roadsides.<ref name="turdes"/>

===Landmarks and tourist attractions===
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Most tourist attractions are located in the city of Oaxaca and the Central Valleys region that surrounds it. This area is the cultural, geographical and political center of the state, filled with pre-Hispanic ruins, [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] churches and monasteries, [[Traditional fixed markets in Mexico|indigenous markets]] and villages devoted to various crafts. The capital city, along with nearby Monte Albán together are listed as a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="turdes"/><ref name="lonelyplanet ">{{cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/oaxaca-state |title=Oaxaca |publisher=Lonely Planet |access-date=August 15, 2010}}</ref> Many of the attractions in the city proper are located between the main square or Zocalo and along Andador Macedonio Alcalà Street, known as the Andador Turístico or Tourist Walkway. These include the [[Oaxaca cathedral|Cathedral]], the [[Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude|Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad]], [[Museum of Contemporary Art (Oaxaca)|Museum of Contemporary Art]] (MACO), [[Museo Rufino Tamayo, Oaxaca|Rufino Tamayo Museum]] and the [[Mercado 20 de Noviembre]], known for its food stands.<ref name="turdes"/> The most important annual festival is the [[Guelaguetza]], also called the Fiesta del Lunes del Cerro (Festival of Mondays at the Mountain) which occurs each July.<ref name="atraccul"/><ref name="secturgue ">{{cite web |url=http://www.aoaxaca.com/index.php?te=TE0002&ds=TE0028&st=TE0045&at=AT0119&pagina=1 |title=Guelaguetza |publisher=Secretaria de Turismo |location=Oaxaca |language=es |access-date=August 15, 2010}}</ref>

The largest and most important archeological site is [[Monte Albán]], which was capital of the Zapotec empire.<ref name="consular "/> Also important as an archaeological site is the ancient Zapotec center of [[Mitla]] at the eastern end of the Central Valleys which is noted for its unique ancient stone [[fretwork]] and abstract mosaics.<ref name="turdes"/><ref name="consular "/> Between Mitla and Monte Albán there are a number of other important archeological sites such as [[Yagul]], [[Dainzú]] and [[Lambityeco]]. The most important of these three is Lambityeco, in the middle of the Tlacolula Valley. It was occupied from 600 BCE to 800 CE and coincides with Monte Alban. It was important at that time for its production of salt.<ref name="turdes"/> Yagul is a ceremonial center on the side of a mountain. Features include a Mesoamerican ball court, the La Rana courtyard, a temple, palace and other buildings.<ref name="atraccul"/>

[[File:Santiago Apóstol Oaxaca.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ex-monastery of Santiago Apóstol]] in Cuilapan de Guerrero]]
Other attractions in the area include colonial constructions such as the monasteries in Cuilapan, Tlaxiaco, Coixthlahuaca, Yanhuitlán and Santo Domingo. Churches include the Cathedral in Oaxaca and the main church of [[San Juan Teposcolula|Teposcolula]].<ref name="atraccul"/> [[Hierve el Agua]] is an area with "petrified" waterfalls, where water with extremely high mineral content falls over the side of cliffs, forming stone waterfall-like structures. The name means "boiling water" but the water is not hot; rather it pushes up from the ground in places which looks like water boiling.<ref name="atraccul"/> [[Santa María del Tule, Oaxaca|Santa María del Tule]] is home to an enormous Montezuma cypress ([[Taxodium mucronatum]]) tree which is over 2,000 years old. The town of [[Villa de Zaachila|Zaachila]] is known for its archeological site and weekly market.<ref name="turdes"/>
[[File:ZbeachLWest.JPG|thumb|View of Zipolite Beach]]
The second most important zone for tourism is the coast, especially from [[Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca|Puerto Escondido]] to [[Huatulco]], with sandy beaches on the Pacific Ocean, dolphins, sea turtles, and lagoons with water birds. Many beaches are nearly virgin with few visitors but several areas have been developed such as Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, [[Puerto Ángel]], [[Zipolite]], [[San Agustinillo]] and [[Mazunte]].<ref name="turdes"/><ref name="lonelyplanet "/> Puerto Escondido is an important destination for tourism from within Mexico with beaches such as Playa Carrizalillo and also attracts international surfers to Zicatela Beach, where an annual surfing competition is held.<ref name="turdes"/> There are also areas of Oaxaca that are promoted for ecotourism such as [[Lagunas de Chacahua National Park]] set in 14,267 hectares of lagoons, rivers, beaches, mangroves, rainforest and grasslands with some 136 species of birds, 23 of reptiles, 4 amphibians and twenty types of mammals.<ref name="turdes"/>

[[Yagul Natural Monument]], located in the Tlacolula Valley, 35&nbsp;km to the east of Oaxaca city, was a settlement in the early part of the Monte Alban 1 Period (500 CE). It flourished as an urban centre, following the abandonment of Monte Alban around 800 BCE. However, even Yagul was abandoned for a brief period, before it became a city-state in Oaxaca. This status continued until the [[Spanish Conquistadores]] invaded the valley, which was then a settlement of Zapotecs.<ref name=mexo>{{cite web |url=http://www.mexonline.com/oaxaca/oxarc103.htm |title=Yagul Archaeological Zones – Central Valley |access-date=September 12, 2010 |publisher=Mexonline.com}}</ref> The fortified complex is laid out in three zones; the central part approached through a series of steps is a built-up platform that leads to the temples and palaces. It has the largest [[ball court]] in the valley and stated to be the second largest in the [[Mesoamerica]]n region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mexonline.com/oaxaca/oxarc103.htm |title=Yagul – Archaeological Zones of Oaxaca, Mexico. |website=Mexonline.com |access-date=2019-03-09}}</ref> The palace of the rulers is an enormous monolith with six porticos and several entrances, built in stone and clay and covered with stucco. The main tomb has a stone façade, which is beautified with carved human heads and features hieroglyphic motifs on the door slab on both sides. To the south of the Palace of the Six Porticos, there is a narrow street that is paved with stone mosaics extracted from the nearby mountain. The street terminates into a long, narrow room called the 'Sala de Consejo' (Council Chamber).<ref name=mexo/><ref name=Yagul>{{cite web |url=http://www.delange.org/Yagul1/Yagul1.htm |title=Yagul Archaeological Ruins, Oaxaca, Mexico |access-date=September 12, 2010 |publisher=George & Audrey DeLange |archive-date=June 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629174118/http://www.delange.org/Yagul1/Yagul1.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Handicrafts===
{{main|Oaxaca handcrafts and folk art}}
[[File:LgCantaroJarMEAPO2.JPG|thumb|left|Barro negro pottery at the state crafts museum]]
Because of its indigenous tradition and abundance of raw materials, Oaxaca is a leading producer of [[Mexican handcrafts and folk art|handcrafts in Mexico]]. Handcrafted items here are noted for their variety and quality. Oaxacan handcrafts are traditionally made with wood, wool, clay and leather and are sold in many venues from local [[tianguis]] markets to upscale international stores. The best-known wood craft is the making of "[[alebrije]]" figures, which are usually miniature, brightly colored real or imaginary animals. These were originally created from paper and cardboard in Mexico City, but this craft was adapted to native Oaxacan woodcarving to the form it has today. Carver [[Manuel Jiménez (artist)|Manuel Jiménez]] of [[Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán|Arrazola]] is credited with the creating of the Oaxacan version of this craft. Other wood crafts include the making of masks, toys and utensils. Major woodcarving areas include [[San MartínTilcajete]] and Arrazola.<ref name="atraccul">{{cite web |url=http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/oaxaca/ |title=Atractivos Culturales y Turísticos |year=2009 |work=Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México Estado de Oaxaca |publisher=Instituto Nacional para el Federalismo y el Desarrollo Municipal |location=Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Cultural and Tourist Attractions |access-date=August 15, 2010 |archive-date=January 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110091824/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/oaxaca/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="rincones4044">Akaike, pp. 40–44</ref>

[[File:Alebrijes in Oaxaca, Mexico 2009.jpg|thumb|Alebrijes at the Pochote Market in Oaxaca]]

Pottery has a long tradition that extends into the pre-Hispanic period. Oaxaca shares many pottery types with other parts of Mexico along with two of its own: [[barro negro pottery|barro negro]] and the [[green glazed pottery of Atzompa]]. The first is centered in the town of [[San Bartolo Coyotepec]] near the capital city. This pottery gets its color from the local clay used to make it and its shine from a technique developed by Doña Rosa Nieto in the mid-20th century. The Atompa green-glazed ware is made much the same way it was in colonial times, although there have been some recent innovations with color and decorative techniques. This pottery is found in [[Santa María Atzompa]], near Oaxaca city.<ref name="atraccul"/>

Another major craft category is textiles. Textiles from cotton and other fibers date to early in the pre-Hispanic period on backstrap looms. This form of weaving has been dominated by women since that time. The Spanish introduced the wide European frame loom, which is mostly used by men. Traditional clothing items such as [[huipil]]s are still made on backstrap looms, while the European looms are used to produce larger and heavier items such as rugs, [[sarape]]s and blankets, notably in the village of [[Teotitlán del Valle]]. Other items are produced with cotton fibers, although some [[Furcraea|maguey]] fibers can be found, while palm fronds are used to produce mats and hats. Embroidery is an important part of indigenous clothing, especially for women. One municipality noted for its indigenous and embroidered clothing is [[Santo Tomás Jalietza]], just south of the city of Oaxaca. The Xochimilco neighborhood of the capital is known for its embroidered tablecloths, napkins and other tableware.<ref name="rincones43">Akaike, p. 43</ref>

[[File:Artesana elaborando rodete de hoja de plátano en Tavehua, Oaxaca.jpg|thumb|left|Craftswoman making banana leaf bun in Tavehua, Oaxaca.]]
Both precious and non-precious metals are worked in the state. Many gold and silver jewelry items are made with [[filigree]] (fine metal thread) which is weaved and wrapped into shapes. This technique is Arab in origin and was introduced by the Spanish. The municipalities of [[Santo Domingo Tehuantepec]], [[Juchitán de Zaragoza]] and [[Huajuapan de León]] are known for this work. Other metals, especially iron, are forged into utilitarian and decorative items in places such as [[Santiago Jamiltepec]] and [[Tlacolula de Matamoros]]. Items produced include mirrors, frames, figures, knives, machetes and more.<ref name="atraccul"/><ref name="rincones4244">Akaike, pp. 42–44</ref>

===Symbols===

====Flag====
The state of Oaxaca has no official flag, but the state government uses a flag with a white background and a shield in the center.{{clarify|date=June 2017}}

====Coat of Arms====
The coat of arms consists of a red canvas, wrapped around its upper end; inside within a white oval is the inscription "EL RESPETO AL DERECHO AJENO ES LA PAZ" (Respect for the rights of others is peace), and the slogan words are separated from each other by symbolic representations of nopales. The inner oval is divided into three parts: on the bottom are two arms breaking chains; in the upper left is a stylised image of the state of Oaxaca, with the flower and fruit, in a stylised form, of the huaje tree; and at the top right is the profile of one of the palaces from the archaeological site of Mitla, with a Dominican Cross to its right. Around the oval are distributed seven golden stars, three on the bottom, two on the right above the oval and two to the left above the oval. On the bottom of the canvas is the phrase "ESTADO LIBRE Y SOBERANO DE OAXACA" (The Free and Sovereign State of Oaxaca). Above the canvas is the Shield of Mexico.

====State emblem====
*The canvas of gules (red) as parchment: the liberation struggles of Oaxaca.
*The seven stars: each of the seven regions of the state. "Huaxyacac" ancient place name of Oaxaca.
*The two strong arms to breaking the chains of oppression.
*The red field on which are the arms: the yearnings of the people of Oaxaca in search of freedom.