I made these. Didn’t use the “traditional” blade core blade but they are still quite sharp!

Pics from my recent trip to Yaxchilan in Chiapas

Padiuxhi! 🗣️✨

¿Quieres conectar con la historia, la cultura y la identidad de México? Te invitamos a formar parte de nuestro Curso Básico de Zapoteco 2026-B. ¡Aprende una lengua viva desde la comodidad de tu casa! 🌾📚

Todo lo que necesitas saber:

• 🗓️ Inicio de clases: 26 de septiembre de 2026
• ⏰ Horario: Sábados y domingos a las 5:00 PM
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Aprende zapoteco y fortalece tus raíces. ¡Te esperamos!

Xkalenu, udzagaru :) 🌱🦉

Famous for it's colorful murals, Bonampak is absolutely gorgeous. It is amazing how well preserved the colors and scenes are after 1000 years. National Geographic ran an article in it's February 1995 issue which is what led to my interest in visiting this site. The Temple of the Murals is heavily guarded by the military to prevent vandalism. It also gives a beautiful view of the surrounding area in Chiapas. On a side note, our driver told us he has personally seen 4 Jaguars near this area. Thankfully none were present during our trip.

Objects:

Chacmool (MNA 10-1078)

Chicomecoatl (Branly 71.1887.155.13)

Quetzalcoatl (Branly 71.1887.155.19)

Dog (Branly 87.155.18)

Flea with a human head (Branly 71.1887.155.5)

Huaquechula Monolith (Puebla)

Tlaltecuhtli (MNA 10-322)

¡Hola a todos!

Estoy investigando para un libro sobre la historia de un pueblo de la Cañada en Oaxaca y me topé con este friso prehispánico. Actualmente no está en su ubicación original, así que es muy probable que el orden o la orientación de los bloques no sea la original.

Hasta ahora sabemos que uno de los bloques es claramente un glifo de mariposa (papalotl), que casi seguro hace referencia al pueblo vecino de Papalotipac.

He podido averiguar que en el siglo XII aprox. hubo una guerra entre el pueblo de este relieve y otro llamado Pápalo, quizás el friso haga referencia a este evento...

Pero tengo dudas con los otros bloques que lo acompañan:

• Uno tiene forma de "ojo" estelar, una mandíbula curva (¿quizás una serpiente?) y una franja diagonal con perforaciones que parecen chalchihuites. El cacique histórico en el siglo XV de aquí se llamaba Tico (Señor Serpiente), así que le veo sentido.
• El tercer bloque está roto, pero tiene volutas muy gruesas que parecen humo o corrientes de agua.

¿A alguien le suena esta iconografía (mixteca, zapoteca o nahua)? ¿Podría ser el registro de una alianza o de la guerra histórica por el agua entre los pueblos cercanos?

¡Cualquier pista me ayuda muchísimo para la investigación!

GRACIAS

Imágenes:
1: Con gemini he intentado enfatizar el relieve para ver si podía entenderlo mejor
2: Imagen origina que tomé del relieve (lo que se ve roto es un plástico que se supone que lo protege)
3: lo mismo pero en blanco y negro

[English]

Hi everyone! I'm doing research for a book on the history of a small town in la Cañada (Oaxaca) and came across this pre-Hispanic frieze. It’s currently in a different place where it once was placed, so the order and orientation of the stone blocks are probably not the original ones.

So far, we know that one of the blocks is a butterfly (papalotl) glyph, which likely refers to the neighboring town of Papalotipac.

I've been able to find out that around the 12th century there was a war between the people of this town and Pápalo; perhaps the frieze refers to this event...

But I need help with the other blocks:

• One features a star/"eye" shape, a curved jaw (maybe a snake or the earth monster eating a star?), and a diagonal band with drilled holes that look like chalchihuites (precious stones). The historical ruler here was named Tico (Lord Serpent), so it might be connected.
• The third block is broken, but it shows thick scrolls that look like water or smoke.

Does anyone recognize this specific iconography (Mixtec, Zapotec, or Nahua)? Could this be recording an alliance or a historical water war between these people?

Any leads would be hugely appreciated for my research!

GRACIAS!

Images: 1: With Gemini I tried to emphasize the relief to see if I could understand it better.
2: Original image I took of the relief (what looks broken is a plastic that is supposed to protect it).
3: The same but in black and white.

Ever felt lost trying to ask a simple question in a new language? Today, we're diving into the classic interrogatives of Zapotec and clearing up some common confusions! Do you know the difference between asking 'how many' for bananas versus asking 'how much' for a kilo of beans in Zapotec? It's trickier than you think! You might think you know how to ask 'how much,' but in Zapotec, there are two ways, and using the wrong one can lead to some funny misunderstandings. Let's break it down! Imagine a split screen showing someone counting bananas on one side and a confused person looking at a price tag on the other, with text like "Zapotec Questions: The Two Ways to Ask 'How Much'!

This video introduces essential Zapotec interrogative words like "Bix" (who), "Gakax" (how), "Batax" (when), and "Gax" (where). It explains the difference between "Balax" and "Gákax" for asking "how much," with "Balash" used for countable items and "Gákax" for uncountable ones.
Examples are provided to illustrate the usage of "Balax" for countable things like "Balax Bunatxi" (how many people) and "balax wi" (how many bananas). The video touches on the nuance of "Gákax" for uncountable quantities, using the example of asking the price of beans. It also discusses optional omissions of certain sounds or letters in Zapotec words, like "Bix" sometimes being shortened to "Bi" and provides examples like "Bix gudagu?" (What did you eat?). Here is a summary of the video:

Video Overview:

This lesson focuses on forming questions in Zapotec language, covering fundamental interrogative words, tone nuances, and special question auxiliaries that add context or emotion to inquiries.

Key Concepts Covered:

1. Core Interrogative Words:
   

* Bix / Bix kw: What / Why.
* Nush: Who.
* Batash: When.
* Gash: Where.

1. Countable vs. Uncountable Quantifiers (Balax vs. Gákax)
   

* Balash: Used for countable nouns such as people or discrete items (e.g., apples, bananas) [00:37].
* Gakash: Used for uncountable quantities (e.g., sugar, salt, weight-based items).
* Pricing Exception: Gákax is also used when asking for prices or the total cost of goods.
* Tonal Variations: Subtle pitch shifts on gákax change the meaning between asking "how" versus "how much".

1. Conversational Contractions:
   

* In informal speech, certain ending sounds (such as -xh) or prefixes are frequently dropped (e.g., Bix becoming Bi).

1. Question Auxiliaries & Particles:
   

Zapotec uses specific auxiliary particles to modify the tone and meaning of questions:

* ba: Initiates questions about actions (similar to "did you...?" or "have you...?").
* Txi: Indicates completed status, functioning like "already" (ya).
* waka: Expresses capability or possibility ("can we...?").
* bën: Adds drama, emphasis, or mild exaggeration to a question.
* I: Used for seeking confirmation or expressing mild surprise.
* ka: Placed at the end of questions to prompt a response or add conversational emphasis.
* Combining Auxiliaries: Multiple particles can be combined (e.g., ba txi, bën ka run, i waka) to convey layered nuances in a single sentence.

Weights 1 pound 140z and is 9.5” by 5.5”