Oxchuc (Tzeltal: Oxchujk') is a town and municipality in the Mexican state of Chiapas, located in the southern highlands (Los Altos region) of the country.
Overview
The municipality of Oxchuc covers an area of approximately 72 km² (28 sq mi). As of the 2020 census, the municipality had a total population of 54,932, up from 33,780 in 2005. The town of Oxchuc itself had a population of 6,675 as of 2010. The municipality contains 152 localities; the largest of these (as of 2010) were Yoshib (3,722), Mesbilja (1,793), El Tzay (1,594), and Tzopilja (1,245).
Geography and Climate
Oxchuc is located at coordinates 16°51′N 92°25′W. It borders the municipalities of Ocosingo and San Juan Cancuc to the north, Altamirano and Ocosingo to the east, Chanal and Huixtán to the south, and Tenejapa and Huixtán to the west. It is part of the V-Altos Tsotsil-Tseltal region.
The climate is temperate with a mean annual temperature of approximately 15.8 °C (60.4 °F). The area receives significant precipitation, averaging about 1,863 mm (73.35 in) annually, with the wettest months being June through October.
Demographics and Culture
The municipality is primarily inhabited by the Tzeltal Maya people, an indigenous group that speaks the Tzeltal (Tseltal) language. The name "Oxchuc" is derived from the Tzeltal words ox ("three") and chuc ("reed"), meaning "place of reeds." The area is known for its traditional indigenous culture, including vibrant textiles and agricultural practices centered on coffee and corn.
Governance
Oxchuc is notable as the only municipality in the state of Chiapas legally recognized to be governed by usos y costumbres (customary indigenous governance systems), a system of normative self-governance practiced by indigenous communities. In 2018, political parties were definitively expelled from the municipality's governance structure.
References
- Polian, Gilles (2018). Diccionario multidialectal del Tseltal. Instituto Nacional de Lenguas Indígenas. ISBN 978-607-8407-93-4.
- "Oxchuc (Municipality, Mexico) - Population Statistics". citypopulation.de.
- "Oxchuc". Catálogo de Localidades. Secretaría de Desarrollo Social (SEDESOL).
- "Oxchuc". Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México.
