Tejalapan Zapoteco in Mexico

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

Introduction / History

In the southwestern Mexico mountainous sierras in the state of Oaxaca, the Zapoteco of Tejalapan have lived for a few thousand years. They are extremely remote and isolated due to the limited access through the barren valleys and steep rocky hills often covered with thick fog. It is difficult to pass through, especially during rainy season.


Where Are they Located?

Their villages are located 20 miles northwest of Oaxaca, Mexico in an isolated and remote mountain area.


What Are Their Lives Like?

There are several indigenous groups within this ethnic family which all speak different languages. Each group within this family speaks such different variations of a language that they can't understand each other completely.

If they don't speak Spanish it is hard to reach them. But more and more of the people are losing their language (second and third generation).

They are very family centered. The town is very welcoming and overall very hospitable.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The church is very Catholic and they can be very aggressive to the point of violence against non-Catholics.

Their identity is Catholic. Being Catholic is not only a religious thing; it is also, and perhaps more importantly a cultural identification. The sign of Guadalupe is their identification. This depiction of Mary is of an indigenous woman and that is how they say Mary appears. She identifies with them.


What Are Their Needs?

It is important to raise up leaders. It is important for missionaries not only to reach them but also to disciple them. There is too much emphasis on the initial evangelism task. They should actually do their own ministry because they are the ministers. There is much mentoring and training to be done.


Prayer Points

Pray they may come to know Jesus Christ as Savior.
Pray they may be lead into light of the Good News.
Pray for a missionary who can teach and guide them to Jesus.
Pray for the discipleship and education of women.


Scripture Prayers for the Zapoteco, Tejalapan in Mexico.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Zapoteco, Tejalapan
People Name in Country Zapoteco, Tejalapan
Natural Name Tejalapan Zapoteco
Pronunciation tay-hah-LAH-pahn sah-poh-TEH-koh
Alternate Names Zapotec, Teotitlan del Valle; Zapoteco, Tejalapan, Etla, Oaxaca
Population this Country 7,000
Population all Countries 7,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 15346
ROP3 Code 109954
ROP25 Code 309091
ROP25 Name Zapotec
Country Mexico
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 37  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Oaxaca state: Etla district, San Felipe Tejalapan.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Mexico
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 37  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Oaxaca state: Etla district, San Felipe Tejalapan..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.90 %)
96.00 %
Ethnic Religions
2.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
2.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Zapotec, Tejalapan
Language Code ztt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Spanish
Primary Language Zapotec, Tejalapan
Language Code ztt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Spanish
People Groups Speaking Zapotec, Tejalapan

Primary Language:  Zapotec, Tejalapan

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Dave Markham 
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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