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The Zapotecs (really Be'ena'a or Be'ena' Za'a = Cloud people) of southern Mexico wore the same clothes as all the other tribes in the region, made almost entirely of cotton. This was woven by women into long sheets of cloth that were then cut and sewn to make garments.

The clothes and decoration worn by an individual indicated social status, profession, regional and village origin - so clothes could be "read" like a book to tell you much about the person wearing them.

Men wore a tied loincloth with a long flap at the front and back; some men wore a vertically-quilted cotton tunic without sleeves (ichcahuipilli), sometimes dyed red, but most wore no shirt or tunic. A white cloak tied on one shoulder was the most common wear for men. Nobles and senior warriors might wear all-over suits of cotton dyed red, with a leather jacket edged in a white cotton stripe. Cotton headbands were commonly worn by most men.

Priests also served as war leaders and some dressed entirely in the skins of captured enemies. Warrior headdresses were elaborate creations of leather, wood and quetzal and eagle feathers, with wide strips of fringed cloth hanging at the rear. War leaders often carried multiple banners on their backs bearing red and white horizontal bands or stripes. Red and white were frequently used in war costumes, from headbands to sandals.

Women wore a combination of long skirt and huipil, a poncho-like top that was decorated with coloured yarn in strips. The exact style of huipil indicated married or unmarried, craftswoman or noblewoman and so on.

Many people went barefoot, but Aztec-style sandals were worn by soldiers, priests and nobles.

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12y ago

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