The Mixe region is a new destination in Oaxaca away from the city with a very distinct culture that is worth knowing about. It also has forests and mountains full of life, making this region a paradise for lovers of hiking and contact with nature. Here are five reasons for you to visit the Mixe nation:
1. For its gastronomy
The cuisine of the Mixe region has characteristics that make it unique. Dishes such as machucado, which is eaten as part of a family ritual to ask for abundance, tell us about the Mixe people's closeness with mother earth and their spirituality.
We cannot fail to mention the tamales de Amarillo in its different presentations; each town has its own! The Amarillo is a stew made from tomato with corn dough and flavors such as cilantro and sometimes aguacatillo leaf. You will indeed find them on your trip. And we cannot fail to mention the famous Caldo mixe, a rich broth with vegetables and meat accompanied by bean tamales and served on important occasions such as the performance of a ritual at a sacred site.
In addition to its own character, the cuisine of the Sierra Mixe is much healthier than other cuisines, so you will enjoy it doubly. Every trip to the Sierra Mixe is a gastronomic journey!
2. For its handicrafts
The artisans of the Sierra Mixe also show exceptional skill and creativity. The main crafts of the region are textiles and clay produced mainly in the communities of Tlahuitoltepec, Ayutla, Tamazulapam, and Mixistlán.
The clay is worked the same way as it was hundreds or perhaps thousands of years ago, with tools as essential as a piece of corn cob, a mango pit, and a tree leaf. The resulting works are surprisingly refined.
Mixed textiles have had a significant boom in recent years, so in addition to traditional designs, weavers also experiment with new shapes, colors, and techniques. Tlahuitoltepec is undoubtedly the community that surprises the most with its creations, which have achieved international fame.
To visit the Mixe region is to get to know an essential piece of the incredible textile mosaic in Oaxaca.
3. For its forests and landscapes
Because we are in the highest part of the sierra, it is always possible to admire the whimsical landscapes that the mountains draw. However, perhaps the most impressive can be seen from the Zempoaltépetl, one of the three highest peaks in Oaxaca at 3,400 meters above sea level.
On the other hand, the Sierra Mixe preserves forests of different types, among which stands out the mesophilic mountain forest, the scarcest ecosystem in all of Mexico, one of the most biodiverse, and the one that produces the most water. Walking in these places allows us to appreciate nature's purest state while receiving its healing embrace.
4. For its history and forms of organization
Mixe history is being discovered. Little by little new data is being revealed about the origin and provenance of this group. These make us think that the Mixe culture is very close to the Olmec, also known as the "mother culture" of the pre-Hispanic civilizations. Therefore, to see the history of the Mixe is to get closer to one of the oldest cultures that still survive in contemporary Mexico.
Did you know that many of these communities have no political parties? However, many of the Mixe communities still preserve forms of political and social organization that date back to the colonial period and are different from those of most cities. Learning about different ways of solving community problems is always fascinating.
5. To live your spirituality
Mixe spirituality is a syncretism that mixes pre-Hispanic practices with Catholic practices brought during the conquest. In addition to Christian temples, the Mixe practice their spirituality in places such as caves and mountains, where they make prayers and offerings.
Mixe spirituality is present everywhere. For example, when attending a celebration, the attendees throw some mezcal on the floor to thank the earth for everything it provides. When planting begins, an offering is made, asking for permission and abundance from the world. When a person is elected to occupy a position in the community, they must make a series of offerings to ask that there be no setbacks during this time.
These are just a few examples, but when you visit the region, you will know many more and understand why it is profoundly spiritual culture.
If you visit Oaxaca, don't hesitate to take a few days to see the communities of this unique region. The Unión Turística Nación Mixe members have prepared to make you feel at home.
