Ñuu

Ñuu is a term from the Zapotec languages used by the Zapotec people to refer to themselves and to their homeland. In contemporary usage, Ñuu Savi is the collective name for the Zapotec nation or homeland, with Ñuu often conveying notions of people or land depending on the dialect. The phrase reflects a sense of community, territory, and language as central to Zapotec identity.

Geographically, the Zapotec homeland lies in the central valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico, an area that has been inhabited for millennia and was the core of the pre-Columbian Zapotec civilization. The region includes important archaeological sites such as Monte Albán, a major center in the Oaxaca Valley. The term Ñuu Savi appears in ethnographic and cultural discourse as part of a broader contemporary articulation of indigenous identity and sovereignty.

Linguistically, Zapotec refers to a diverse group of related languages within the Oto-Manguean family. There is no single Zapotec language; rather, many dialects are spoken across different communities, often with varying degrees of mutual intelligibility. Zapotec cultures are expressed through traditional arts such as weaving, pottery, and ceremonial music and dance, all intertwined with local calendars and religious practices.

Today, Zapotec languages continue to be spoken in Oaxaca and surrounding areas, with ongoing efforts to preserve and revitalize them through education, media, and community programs. The Ñuu concept remains a focal point of cultural pride and self-definition for many Zapotec communities.