The Zapotec still recognize some of their ancient beliefs and practices, such as the burial of the dead with valuables.
Today, the Zapotec culture has mixed Catholicism with their pre-Hispanic beliefs, "wherein saint worship plays a dominant part" (Fry 1996). As far as believing in the supernatural, the Zapotec believe in: "witches, male and female devils, images of Christ (as a child and as an adult), and animal guardians (tonos)" (Fry 1996). As part of tradition, a person is baptized at birth. If you are unbaptized, the Zapotec believe that you now are at risk of becoming a nahual, which can be defined as "an animal from assumed in the state of possession" (Fry 1996).
Since the Zapotec culture has combined views of Catholicism with their pre-hispanic beliefs, they have more religious leaders outside from a Catholic priest. These other leaders are called hechiceros. The hechiceros have many duties and ceremonies, "including offerings of flowers, food, poultry blood, mescal, money, cigarettes, and prayers at occasions such as weddings, funerals, and house initiations" (Fry 1996).
Relating to their religious beliefs, the Zapotec also reconize and hold ceremonies in their lifetime such as baptism, communion, marriage, and death. The Zapotec either hold these ceremonies in their church or in their homes.
Works Cited
Fry, Douglas
1996 Zapotec. Encyclopedia of World Cultures. Electronic Document http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3458001433.html Accessed April 05, 2013
2013 Zapotec Peoples. World News Network. Electronic Document. http://wn.com/zapotec_peoplesorderby=relevance&upload_time=today#/biography
Accessed March 24, 2013.
By Jessica Horowitz
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