SAN BARTOLO COYOTEPEC
Its name means “on the hill of the coyote” – from “coyotl”: coyote, “tepetl”: hill, and the suffix “c” which means “in”. It is located 12 km from the capital city, on the federal highway 175. This community is characterized for being the only one in the world in which a great percentage of the population´s occupation is creating black clay pottery, profession that dates to pre-Hispanic times. There is also a church that dates back to the XVI century, as well as remains of buildings that were ceremonial centers or destined for the zapoteco sirs.
SAN MARTÍN TILCAJETE
Its name comes from the náhuatl voice “tilcaxitl” – from “tlitic”: black and “caxitl”: bowl; “Black bowl”- . It was called San Martín in honor of the bishop of Tours, who distinguished himself for his generosity. Located 21km southeast of the City of Oaxaca, on the 175 highway (Oaxaca-Puerto Ángel), it is known for their “alebrijes”, figures made in carved and painted wood, with the shapes of animals, extraterrestrial beings, “naguales”, angels and other fantastic images that come from the imagination. Another attractive is the people´s main temple.
SANTO TOMÁS JALIEZA
Located 25 km (30 minutes) southeast of the City of Oaxaca, on the 175 highway. Jalieza means, in zapoteco “Beneath the church” (from “xana”: below, and “lieza”: church). Its main crafts are the pieces sown in waist loom (shawls, dresses, huipiles, blouses, overcoats, bags, napkins, etc.), made with cotton, wool and stamen threads. Possesses a great temple in honor of Saint Tomás, of whom it takes its name.
SAN ANTONIO CASTILLO VELASCO
Gets its last name from the illustrious liberal politician Don José María Castillo Velasco, and San Antonio comes from San Antonio de Padua, preacher and miracle worker. Has a temple of the XVII century that was erected in San Antonio´s honor. Their artisanal attractions are the textiles made with silk threads; they also sow dresses and blouses.
OCOTLÁN DE MORELOS
Ocotlán means “Next to, or among the ocotes” (of the náhuatl “ocotl”: pine, and “tlan”: place). Has the name De Morelos in honor to Don José Ma. Morelos y Pavón.
Placed 33 km from the state´s capital. One of its attractions is the temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, which used to be a convent and was constructed at the end of the XVI century and restored recently by the ocoteco painter Rodolfo Morales, who passed away on January 30, 2001. Another attractive is the Morales´ house and the government´s palace. One of its main attractions is the market day, which takes place every Friday and where you can find a great variety of gastronomic products, wooden figures, cotton textiles, embroidery, red clay ceramics, cutlery, saddler, alebrijes, basketwork and traditional drinks such as mescal, tejate, chocolate and immortal flower objects.
