Zoque people

Zoque

Map of Zoque language speakers in southeastern Mexico
Total population
41,609 (2000)
Regions with significant populations
Southern Mexico (Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Tabasco)
Languages
Zoque languages
Related ethnic groups
Mixe

The Zoque are an Indigenous people of Mexico, who are related to the Mixe. They speak various languages, also called Zoque, which has several branches and dialects.

The Zoque consists of 41,609 people, according to the 2000 census.^[1] They live mainly in the northerly sector of Chiapas state, principally in the municipios and towns of Amatán, Copainalá, Chapultenango, Francisco León, Ixhuatán, Ixtacomitán, Jitotol, Ocotepec, Ostuacán, Pantepec, Rayón, Totolapa, Tapilula, Tecpatán, Acala, Blanca rosa, and Ocozocoautla. They also live in the northern part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in the state of Oaxaca, including the Selva Zoque.

In the pre-Hispanic era, the Zoque lived throughout Chiapas, and Isthmus of Tehuantepec and parts of the state of Tabasco. They may have been descendants of the Olmec. They had a good social and commercial relationship with the later Mexica, which contributed to the economic prosperity of their culture in Chiapas. In 1494 during the reign of Ahuizotl, the Aztecs invaded and defeated them, and forced them to pay tribute.

The Spanish conquest of the Zoque lands commenced in 1523, under the leadership of Luis Marin. The Zoque were parceled out among the Spanish settlers, and they endured forced labor and were obliged to pay high tribute. Diseases, exploitation, and the miserable conditions under which they lived contributed to a significant decrease in their numbers.

The situation of the Zoque did not improve with Mexican independence, since they continued to be exploited by the mestizos and criollos. Not until 1922 when they were assigned ejidos (common lands), did their living conditions improve.