Mixtecs

Mixtecs, one of the civilised peoples of Mexico, whose territory (Mixtecapan) occupied the present states of Oajaca, Puebla, and Guerrero - that is, a.large part of Central and South Mexico. It comprised a great number of petty states, all of which recognised the suzerainty of a lord paramount, yvho was one of the most potent allies of the Aztecs. The present Mixtecs, although Roman Catholics, still speak the old national language, which is radically distinct from Aztec, and of which there are several well-marked dialects, such as the Tepuzculan and Zapotec of Oajaca, the Chocho of Puebla, and the Amusgo of Guerrero.