Santiago Xanica Zapoteco in Mexico

The Santiago Xanica Zapoteco have only been reported in Mexico
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Zapotecos, the largest indigenous people group cluster of Mexico, live primarily in the southern state of Oaxaca. This people group, however, reaches across much of Mexico. Santiago Xanica is one of the many Zapoteco languages spoken in southern Oaxaca.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Santiago Xanica Zapotecos are among the poorest of Mexico s citizens. The primary sources of income are farming and various crafts such as pottery and weaving. Many still speak only their language not Spanish. This keeps them from advancing in a Spanish-speaking country. Part of the reason is that they live in a very remote part of Mexico. Steep mountains and a lack of roads keep the Zapotec peoples splintered geographically and linguistically.

The Zapotecs are friendly when they are not put on the defensive about their religion and belief system. Religious festivals are an important part of their culture. In some Zapotec villages, it s mandatory to help with the Cristo-pagan ceremonies by paying for the food and abundant liquor. This situation sometimes conflicts with the beliefs of the Evangelical minority.


What Are Their Beliefs?

When the Spanish first arrived in Mexico in the 1500s, they set about to convert the indigenous peoples to Roman Catholicism. Rather than abandoning their own religion, many Zapotecos simply combined it with the new religion in a way that does not allow for the lordship of Jesus. Today, most Zapotecos profess Roman Catholicism, but also believe in spirits and myths. For example, Zapotecos claim that they originated from trees, rocks, and even jaguars.


What Are Their Needs?

All Zapotec subgroups need to put Jesus Christ first in their lives. As it stands, they hold onto many traditional beliefs that hinder their relationship with the loving Savior.


Prayer Items

Pray that Zapotecos will allow Christ to set them free from paralyzing fear and bondage and make them alive in him.
Pray that soon there will be Santiago Xanica Zapoteco disciples making other disciples for the glory of the Lord.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in their churches and villages, showing them the way of Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Zapoteco, Santiago Xanica in Mexico.


References

https://charitigrace.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/animistic-zapotec-peoples-of-mexico/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Zapoteco, Santiago Xanica
People Name in Country Zapoteco, Santiago Xanica
Natural Name Santiago Xanica Zapoteco
Pronunciation sahn-tee-AH-goh shah-NEE-kah sah-poh-TEH-koh
Alternate Names Santiago Xanica Zapoteco; Zapotec, Santiago Xanica; Zapoteco, Xanica, Miahuatlan, Oaxaca
Population this Country 4,000
Population all Countries 4,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 14746
ROP3 Code 108680
Country Mexico
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Oaxaca state: southeast Miahuatlán, San Andrés Lovene, San Antonio Ozolotepec, Santa María Coixtepec, Santiago Xanica.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Mexico
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Oaxaca state: southeast Miahuatlán, San Andrés Lovene, San Antonio Ozolotepec, Santa María Coixtepec, Santiago Xanica..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 4.00 %)
90.00 %
Ethnic Religions
5.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %

Primary Language:  Zapotec, Santiago Xanica

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1996-1998)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.