Zapoteco, Yalalag in Mexico

People Name:	Zapoteco, Yalalag
Country:	Mexico
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	4,200
World Population:	4,500
Primary Language:	Zapotec, Yalalag
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	95.00 %
Evangelicals:	3.30 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Zapoteco
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Zapotec of Yalalag live in the Juarez Mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. "Yalalag" indicates not only a location but also a dialect. Living in a mountainous area has meant isolation, leading to many dialects of Zapotec. The Yalalag are a government-recognized indigenous people which first entered Mexican history in 1877. However, they predate modern Mexico to 1191 when Tehuantepec migrants first settled at Totolipilla. Their St. John the Baptist Catholic church dates to 1835.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Yalalag Zapotec live in a sizeable town on the slopes of the Serra Norte mountains in houses made out of concrete blocks with tile or metal roofs. Most have only two rooms, the kitchen and the bedroom. Older homes have mud or adobe walls and thatched roofs.

Older women wear the traditional huipil (a cotton ankle-length dress), sometimes embroidered with flowers down the seams of the panels. Younger women and girls wear Western-style clothing. In addition to textiles, the town is home to Carlos Bezan, an internationally known artist. They are also known for black pottery.

The authorities from Yalalag teach the townspeople that every Zapotec is obligated to serve the community and the Catholic church. The leaders reject those who do not like to provide this commitment towards the enforced public service. 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.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Yalalag Zapotecs are Catholics and have many churches where they meet and worship. They have mixed their Catholic doctrine with many animistic beliefs (belief that non-living objects have spirits). Thus their faith is diverted from the savior who is the only firm foundation. The New Testament is available in the Yalalag Zapotec language; and also the JESUS Film and gospel recordings.

What Are Their Needs?

The Yalalag Zapotecs response to the gospel has been slow, but the local Church remains faithful to the proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ. The Bible League has printed the New Testament in the Zapotec language.

Prayer Points

Pray for Zapotec churches to eagerly fund their missionaries to take Christ’s name to the less-reached Zapotec and Mixtec groups.
Pray for the Lord to give such spiritual hunger to the Yalalag Zapotecs that they will follow Christ no matter what the cost.
Pray for the Lord to give the Yalalag Zapotecs a willingness to look to Jesus Christ for all their needs.
Pray for increased interest in the New Testament.