Arts Since the late 20th century, the state has produced several notable painters, including
Rufino Tamayo,
Rodolfo Nieto,
Rodolfo Morales, and
Francisco Toledo. These four painters have been influential in establishing new art movements in the state. These movements have spurred exhibitions, galleries, museums, and schools such as the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (MACO) and
Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca (IAGO). Many of today's artists from Oaxaca have been inspired by past indigenous paintings as well as the colonial era works of
Miguel Cabrera. Following the
2006 political uprising, multiple printmaking collectives emerged in Oaxaca City, transforming it into what practitioners describe as Mexico's printmaking capital. Active groups including ASARO,
Colectivo Subterráneos, Lapiztola, and Taller Artístico Comunitario use woodblock printing and muralism to address social and political issues. The state has not produced as many writers as painters, but some important names include Adalberto Carriedo, Jacobo Dalevuelta, Andrés Henestrosa, and Natalia Toledo. Music and dance are almost inextricably linked to the state's folkloric heritage. Even more modern composers, such as
Macedonio Alcalá, Samuel Mondragón Noriega,
Saúl Martínez García and José López Alavés, are strongly influenced by traditional melodies. Traditional music and dance have their roots in the indigenous traditions that existed long before the Spanish arrived. To these traditions were added elements from European culture and Catholicism. The three main traditions in the state are those of the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs, with a small but distinct community of
Afro-Mexicans. Some of the best-known dances include Los Diablos, La Tortuga, Las Mascaritas, and Los Tejorones. In the Afro-Mexican Costa Chica region, Las Chilenas stands out as a dance. La Sandunga is a song that typifies the musical style of the Tehuantepec region, and "son bioxho" is an endemic form of the
son style played with drums, an empty tortoise shell, and a reed flute.
Food and drink Oaxacan cuisine varies widely due to the relative geographic isolation of its peoples, and the climates in which foods are produced. Oaxaca's gastronomy is known for its "seven moles",
chapulines (grasshoppers), Oaxaca
tamales in banana leaves,
tasajo and
mezcal. The
cacao beans are ground then combined with sugar, almonds, cinnamon and other ingredients to form bars. Pieces of these bars are mixed with hot milk or water and drunk. Many of the attractions in the city proper are located between the main square or Zocalo and along Andador Macedonio Alcalà Street, known as the Andador Turístico or Tourist Walkway. These include the
Cathedral, the
Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad,
Museum of Contemporary Art (MACO),
Rufino Tamayo Museum and the
Mercado 20 de Noviembre, known for its food stands. The largest and most important archeological site is
Monte Albán, which was capital of the Zapotec empire. The fortified complex is laid out in three zones; the central part approached through a series of steps is a built-up platform that leads to the temples and palaces. It has the largest
ball court in the valley and stated to be the second largest in the
Mesoamerican region. The palace of the rulers is an enormous monolith with six porticos and several entrances, built in stone and clay and covered with stucco. The main tomb has a stone façade, which is beautified with carved human heads and features hieroglyphic motifs on the door slab on both sides. To the south of the Palace of the Six Porticos, there is a narrow street that is paved with stone mosaics extracted from the nearby mountain. The street terminates into a long, narrow room called the 'Sala de Consejo' (Council Chamber).
Handicrafts Because of its indigenous tradition and abundance of raw materials, Oaxaca is a leading producer of
handcrafts in Mexico. Handcrafted items here are noted for their variety and quality. Oaxacan handcrafts are traditionally made with wood, wool, clay and leather and are sold in many venues from local
tianguis markets to upscale international stores. The best-known wood craft is the making of "
alebrije" figures, which are usually miniature, brightly colored real or imaginary animals. These were originally created from paper and cardboard in Mexico City, but this craft was adapted to native Oaxacan woodcarving to the form it has today. Carver
Manuel Jiménez of
Arrazola is credited with the creating of the Oaxacan version of this craft. Other wood crafts include the making of masks, toys and utensils. Major woodcarving areas include
San MartínTilcajete and Arrazola. Pottery has a long tradition that extends into the pre-Hispanic period. Oaxaca shares many pottery types with other parts of Mexico along with two of its own:
barro negro and the
green glazed pottery of Atzompa. The first is centered in the town of
San Bartolo Coyotepec near the capital city. This pottery gets its color from the local clay used to make it and its shine from a technique developed by Doña Rosa Nieto in the mid-20th century. The Atompa green-glazed ware is made much the same way it was in colonial times, although there have been some recent innovations with color and decorative techniques. This pottery is found in
Santa María Atzompa, near Oaxaca city. Another major craft category is textiles. Textiles from cotton and other fibers date to early in the pre-Hispanic period on backstrap looms. This form of weaving has been dominated by women since that time. The Spanish introduced the wide European frame loom, which is mostly used by men. Traditional clothing items such as
huipils are still made on backstrap looms, while the European looms are used to produce larger and heavier items such as rugs,
sarapes and blankets, notably in the village of
Teotitlán del Valle. Other items are produced with cotton fibers, although some
maguey fibers can be found, while palm fronds are used to produce mats and hats. Embroidery is an important part of indigenous clothing, especially for women. One municipality noted for its indigenous and embroidered clothing is
Santo Tomás Jalietza, just south of the city of Oaxaca. The Xochimilco neighborhood of the capital is known for its embroidered tablecloths, napkins and other tableware. Both precious and non-precious metals are worked in the state. Many gold and silver jewelry items are made with
filigree (fine metal thread) which is weaved and wrapped into shapes. This technique is Arab in origin and was introduced by the Spanish. The municipalities of
Santo Domingo Tehuantepec,
Juchitán de Zaragoza and
Huajuapan de León are known for this work. Other metals, especially iron, are forged into utilitarian and decorative items in places such as
Santiago Jamiltepec and
Tlacolula de Matamoros. Items produced include mirrors, frames, figures, knives, machetes and more.
Symbols Flag The state of Oaxaca has no official flag, but the state government uses a flag with a white background and a shield in the center.
Coat of Arms The coat of arms consists of a red canvas, wrapped around its upper end; inside within a white oval is the inscription "EL RESPETO AL DERECHO AJENO ES LA PAZ" (Respect for the rights of others is peace), and the slogan words are separated from each other by symbolic representations of nopales. The inner oval is divided into three parts: on the bottom are two arms breaking chains; in the upper left is a stylised image of the state of Oaxaca, with the flower and fruit, in a stylised form, of the huaje tree; and at the top right is the profile of one of the palaces from the archaeological site of Mitla, with a Dominican Cross to its right. Around the oval are distributed seven golden stars, three on the bottom, two on the right above the oval and two to the left above the oval. On the bottom of the canvas is the phrase "ESTADO LIBRE Y SOBERANO DE OAXACA" (The Free and Sovereign State of Oaxaca). Above the canvas is the Shield of Mexico.
State emblem • The canvas of gules (red) as parchment: the liberation struggles of Oaxaca. • The seven stars: each of the seven regions of the state. "Huaxyacac" ancient place name of Oaxaca. • The two strong arms to breaking the chains of oppression. • The red field on which are the arms: the yearnings of the people of Oaxaca in search of freedom. ==Education==