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Native Languages of the Americas:
Zapotec Indian Legends

This is our collection of links to Zapotec folktales and traditional stories that can be read online. We have indexed our Native American legends section by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same legend are often told by American Indians from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to each other. In particular, though these legends come from the Zapotecs, the traditional stories of other Mesoamerican tribes like the Mixtec and Aztec are very similar.

Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Zapotec legend for this page or think one of the ones on here should be removed, please let us know.

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Zapotec Mythological Figures

Coqui-Xee (also known as Coqui-Cilla, Piye-Tao, Pije-Tao, Pitao, Pije-Xoo, or other names): The great Creator god of the Zapotecs, who created the world and the other gods (for which reason Zapotec gods are often referred to with the prefix "Pitao" before their names.)

Cozaana and Huichaana: The creators of the human race in Zapotec mythology. Cozaana, the god of hunting and the sun, was considered as the father of the Zapotec people and Huichaana, the goddess of water and the moon, was considered as their mother. In some myths, Huichaana gave birth to the first humans and in others, she created them from clay. Also spelled Kozaana, Cozana, or Pitao-Cozaana and Wichaana, Huechaana, Cochana, or Pitao-Huichaana.

Zapotec Indian Folklore

*Pitao:
    Story about the Zapotec gods, creation of the world, and origin of fire.
*The Myths of Mexico and Peru:
    Online book of Inca, Aztec, and Zapotec mythology.

Recommended Books on Zapotec Mythology
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links

An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico:
    Excellent introduction to the pre-Columbian mythology and religious art of the Zapotecs and other Mexican tribes.

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Additional Resources

 Zapotec religion and expressive traditions
 Zapotec language
 American shamanism
 Mexican Indian tribes
 Mesoamerican Indians
 Otomanguean language family
 Red Indian reservations



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