Mixe

The Mixe, who call themselves the Ayuujkjä'äy or people of the mountain language, occupy the Sierra Mixe north-east of Oaxaca. The name Mixe probably comes from the Nahuatl word for cloud, and their languages form the Mixean branch of the Mixe-Zoque family.

Their migration story tells how the legendary king Condoy led them to the holy peak of Cempoaltepetl, where they built a mountain kingdom. Protected by cliffs and forests, they were never fully subdued: neither the Zapotec kingdom of Zaachila nor the Aztec Empire conquered the highland towns. Spanish arms failed as well, and an expedition under Diego Sandoval was driven out.

Peaceful contact came only from 1555, when Dominican friars began founding missions at Totontepec, Juquila and Quetzaltepec. The Mixe kept much of their old religion, including the 260-day divinatory calendar and belief in animal companion spirits.