Learning about the Zapotecs this week was enlightening. I saw many parallels between the Zapotecs and the Waorani, especially in that the effect globalization had on the groups was largely negative, except to introduce the groups to a market-based economy. Though this may be positive within a capitalist framework, I think that there is much harm caused to the group because of the way they were forced to change their lives in order to fit this type of system. Additionally, the fact that they are also gatekeepers of their knowledge on plants is worrying, as they say there is nobody to add to this knowledge. This is a reccuring pattern not only in South America but in other Indigenous communities throughout the world. It is questionable to see that altough Indigenous people are expected to take on new vegetables, customs, foodways and other alien things, others are not willing to help them in a time where community is exceedingly valuable.

I found it interesting that squash flowers were eaten by the Zapotecs, as I have only ever seen them be used in high-end restaurants here in Canada. I also was surprised that the Zapotecs may have been credited with creating pulque, an originator of mezcal. I will admit that I thought alcohol was not very prevalent in Indigenous groups, and this alone is indicative of the fact that I need to continue reading up on Indigenous histories and foodways, beyond this course.

Through our in-class discussion with the group, I was most shocked to learn about the enormous amount of municipalities within Oaxaca, rendering negotiations and other legal proceedings a near impossibility. This would result in direct impacts on the region’s Indigenous groups’ sovereignties, causing any sort of issue to be remediated within a much longer time frame than acceptable.

Thank you to the group for offering a really interesting analysis on the Zapotecs!