Zapoteco, San Juan Guelavia in Mexico

People Name:	Zapoteco, San Juan Guelavia
Country:	Mexico
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	42,000
World Population:	45,400
Primary Language:	Zapotec, Western Tlacolula Valley
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	96.00 %
Evangelicals:	1.30 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Zapoteco
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Zapotecs, the largest indigenous people group cluster of Mexico, live primarily in the southern state of Oaxaca. This people group, however, reaches across much of Mexico. San Juan Guelavia is one of the many Zapotec languages.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Zapotecs are among the poorest of Mexico’s citizens. The primary sources of income are farming and various crafts such as pottery and weaving. Many still speak only their language not Spanish.

What Are Their Beliefs?

When the Spanish first arrived in Mexico in the 1500s, they set about to convert the indigenous peoples to Roman Catholicism. Rather than abandoning their own religion, many Zapotecs simply combined it with the new religion in a way that does not allow for the lordship of Jesus. Today, most Zapotecs profess Roman Catholicism, but also believe in spirits and myths. For example, Zapotecs claim that they originated from trees, rocks and even jaguars.

What Are Their Needs?

All Zapotec subgroups need to put Jesus Christ first in their lives. As it stands, they hold onto many traditional beliefs that hinder their relationship with the loving Savior.

Prayer Points

Pray for audio helps such as gospel recordings, Christian radio and the JESUS Film in the San Juan Guelavia dialect.

Pray that they will allow Christ to set them free from paralyzing fear and bondage and make them alive in him.

Pray that soon there will be Zapotec disciples making other disciples for the glory of the Lord.