Warfare

All the communities of the region had been at war with either Mexico or Tututepec. There was constant intervillage warfare as well. Zacatepec had three major battles with the Mexicans and two with Tututepec but was never defeated. After their reduction by Tututepec, the subject towns of Tonameca Pochutla, and Huatulco fought on the side of their overlords against Tehuantepec and other enemy towns.

Warriors of Zacatepec went to war with bows and arrows, shields, macanas, carried white and striped flags, and wore gold nose rings and bells on their legs. Those of Tonameca, Huatulco, and Pochutla used bows and arrows, macanas, and shields, and wore loincloths. Cotton armor is reported only for the soldiers of Putla (RMEH, p. 158).

Arts and Crafts

Berlin (1947a, pp. 31-34) has listed some of the great handicrafted materials from this area that were I the hands of the cacique of Tututepec around the time of the conquest. Among the items were necklaces of coral and gold beads, other necklaces of gold beads of pearls and gold, of turquoise and of semiprecious green stone. Beautifully worked and inlaid gold discs, pendants, pectorals, other finely executed pieces of jewelry, and fine featherwork are also described.