The mountain regions of the isthmus of Tehuantepec and adjacent portions
of the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca are the habitats of the Zoques,
Mixes, and allied tribes. The early historians draw a terrible picture
of their valor, savagery and cannibalism, which reads more like tales
to deter the Spaniards from approaching their domains than truthful
accounts.[175] However this may be, they have been for hundreds of years
a peaceful, ignorant, timid part of the population, homely, lazy and
drunken, but not violent or dangerous. The Mixes especially cultivate
abundance of maize and beans, and take an interest in improving the roads
leading to their towns.[176]
The faint traditions of these peoples pointed to the south for their
origin. When they lived in Chiapas they were conquered by the Chapanecs
(Mangues), and this induced many of them to seek independence in the
Sierra to the north and west. At present the main village of the Mixes
is San Juan Guichicovi, while the Zoques are scattered between the
Rio del Corte and the Rio Chiapa. They are described as agricultural
and laborious, but also as stupid, inclined to drunkenness, and very
homely.[177]
A comparison of the two languages leaves no doubt as to their derivation
from a common stem.