https://zapotectime.vassarspaces.net/archive/files/original/116/TRAD-Yalalag_confession-Ethnohistory-for_Web_site.pdf d664a26cc0f0b2757a7105ca8d4b7f3c PDF Text Text Yalalag idolatry confession Confesión sobre idolatrías de Yalalag Translated on / traducidad el 7/12/1704 (AGI México 882, 750r-754r) Abbreviations and conventions1 AHJO-VA: Archivo Histórico del Poder Judicial de Oaxaca, ramo Villa Alta 1plE: First person plural exclusive; 1plI: First person plural inclusive; 2sg: Second-person singular; 3: Third-person; 3an: Third-person, for animals; 3f: Third-person, familiar; 3in: Third-person, inanimate; AG: Agentive; C: Causative; CMP: Completive; E: Emphatic affix; EC: Emphasis on completion; FRE: Frequentative; HAB: Habitual; HON: Honorific; IMP: Imperative; INT: Interrogative; NOM: Nominalizer; NEG: Negation; POS: Possessive; POT: Potential; PREP: Preposition; PRF: Perfect; PRM: Progressive movement; PRO: Pronoun; PRT: particle; REP: Repetitive; STA: Stative. [ ] < > Reading of abbreviated words Tentative transcription Line 1: Line 2: Line 3: Line 4: Line 5: Transcription of Northern Zapotec confession, 750r-752v Analytical transcription Morpheme parsing withe English translation Zapotec-English translation 1704 Zapotec-Spanish translation by interpreter Joseph Ramos, 753r-754r, with some phrases underlined by him to facilitate the reading of this document English gloss of Ramos's translation Line 6: [750r] xana nachij señor General yogoo netto xijni loo xana nachij señor General yogoo netto xijni-loo Bennee yeche queloo niga San Juan Yalalag Bennee yeche que-loo niga San Juan Yalalag lord people dear lord general all 1plE child-2sg town POS-2sg here Dear Lord, Lord General, all of us, your children, the people of your town here of San Juan Yalálag 1. [753r] Señor General, todos tus hijos los del Pueblo de San Juan yalala, Lord General, all your children, they of the town of San Juan Yalálag niga chao nettoo ditozoxibi niga chao nettoo di-to-zo-xibi here together2 1plE netto xanijaha loo ditto naba netto yela huezaa lachij misericordia netto-xa nijaha-loo di-tto-naba netto yela-hue-zaa-lachij misericordia HAB-1pl3-stand-knee4 1plE-E foot-2sg HAB-1pl-request 1plE NOM-AG-give5-heart mercifulness We, together, kneel at your feet here. We request generous giving, misericordia [mercifulness], 2. Venimos a postrarnos a tus pies Y a pedir tu Misericordia We come to lie at your feet and to ask for your mercy niaque natapa ne too tiPatee yellaa di huinij lachij niaque na-ta-pa netoo tiPa-tee yellaa-di-huinij-lachij because STA-1pl-have 1plE 6 strength -E NOM-HAB-shrink7-heart 1 �because we have illness and sadness, we all, your children, the townspeople. 3. porque andamos muy tristes todos los hijos del Pueblo, because we go abot with much sadness, all the children of the town bichaga yogoo netto to to bi-chaga yogoo netto to to le zohuani le-zohuani CMP-meet all immediately8-many9 turn 1plE one one la zaa. lazaa di doxiha di-do-xiha netto netto HAB-1pl-agree10 1plE We all met together and one by one, and many times and right away, we make agreements on 4. que nos hemos Juntado muchas Vezes para Ver, we have gathered many times to see chihua ca gui to xoba lepi to ytollaa golazaa too chihua-ca gui-to-xoba-lepi -to y.tollaa go-lazaa-too if/whether -E POT-1pl-be.placed11-lift-1plE sin natapa na-ta-pa nettoo laa biyenizi nettoo laa bi-ye-ni-zi CMP-turn-1plE STA-1pl-have 1plE netto netto thus CMP-FRE-make-only 1plE whether we would confess our ancient sin, which we have, which we thus have committed frequently, 5. si te haviamos de Confesar Vn pecado Antiguo, que tenemos que âsiamos whether we would confess an ancient sin we have, which we would commit catij goca catij go-ca y china xihuij que y.china xihuij que Benneelao [sic] Benneelao when CMP-be labor [Becelao] evil POS when the evil labor of Becelao existed. 6. tamVien en la Ydolatria, also during the idolatries, na na naca xa n-aca-xa gopa go-pa indeed12 STA-be-E nettoo tipatee nettoo tipa-tee CMP-keep 1plE yella dia chij lachij tao nettoo yella-di-achij-lachij tao nettoo NOM-HAB-fear13-heart great 1plE strength-E Indeed, there is, and we have had, illness and a great fear of ours. 7. y como hemos tenido miedo, And since we have been afraid, aca bata aca bata Beaxog ni B-eaxog-ni nettoo nettoo NEG when14 CMP-dare15-PREP16 1plE galag galag bjeni naga b-jeni-naga netoo netoo ziani ziani lizoo lizoo until CMP-hear-ear17 1plE many times We never dared, until we heard with our ears many times, [that] 8. no nos hemos atrebido, hasta que te hemos oydo muchas Veces we have not dared, until we heard you many times napa loo na-pa-loo yti chaa Behe que goque ViRey xana nettoo lani que Yahuij y.tichaa Behe que goque ViRey xana nettoo lani que Yahuij STA-have-2sg word order POS ruler Viceroy lord 1plE and R.l Audiencia R[ea]l Audiencia POS palace you have a word of command from our ruler the Viceroy, our lord, and from the palace of the Real Audiencia: 2 �9. que tenias despacho del ss[eñ]or ViRey y de la R[ea]l Audiencia that you had a dispatch from the Lord Viceroy and the Real Audiencia chi bala chiba-la guicabij lij gui-cabij-lij xi-tollaa nettoo xi-tollaa nettoo gonniti lao go-nniti-lao if-thus POT-confess18-straight POS-sin CMP-be.forgiven20 STA.stand 2sg 1plE19 zo zo loy loy Were we to confess our sins, forgive us, you! 10. para si Confesariamos nuestas Culpas perdonanoslas, if we confessed our sins, forgive us for them, chellaa cati chellaa cati bitaloo b-ita-loo y lao y.lao yeche que ni netoo yeche que-ni netoo and CMP-arrive-2sg before town when POS-3 1plE And when you arrived in our town, 11. y quando estubiste en nuestro Pueblo and when you were in our town cati goyeagloo yeag goa loo cati go-yeag-loo yeagg-oa-loo when CMP-go-2sg POT.go-carry21-2sg yella diniti llao yella-di-niti-llao goca go-ca lahaya nettoo lahaya nettoo NOM-HAB-be.forgiven CMP-be prayer22 1plE when you came and brought the pardon, there was our prayer. 12. a llebarnos la absoluzion to give us the absolution Sa ba lla sij Sa balla sij go loo go-loo nettoo lachijnaa loo yogoo Bet.o quiag lani hueçeti maestros nettoo lachij-naa-loo yogoo Bet[a]o quiag lani hue-çeti maestros [although]23 CMP-insert24 1sgE heart-hand-2sg all deity stone and AG-teach teachers Although we placed in your care all the deities of stone, and the teachers, the maestros, 13. aVnque te entregamos todos los ydolos, y Maestros, even though we surrendered to you all the idols and teachers aca [750v] Beaxog lachij aca B-eaxog-lachij nettoo guina nettoo gui-na NEG 1plE CMP-dare-heart neto zaca lao neto zaca lao POT-speak 1plE POT.contradict25 we dared not speak to contradict, 14. no nos atrevimos a desirtelo we did not dare say this to you nijâque tipate nijâque tipa-te because yellaadia chij di chebi yellaa-di-achij di-chebi strength-E NOM-HAB-fear lachij nettoo cati canna teçi nata pa lachij nettoo cati canna-te-çi na-ta-pa HAB-be.frightened26 heart 1plE when then27-E-only STA-pl-have 1plE Because of illness and fear, our hearts have a fright that we always have. 15. por el gran miedo que siempre hemos tenido, 3 netoo netoo �due to the great fear we have always had naha diebilao naha di-ebi-lao nettoo naca loo xoçi xinaa netoo chela gosella xana daho Dios loy nettoo n-aca-loo xoçi xinaa netoo chela go-sella xana daho Dios loy now HAB-be.glad28-face 1plE STA-be-2sg father mother 1plE CMP-send29 lord and great God 2sg Now we are glad that you are our father and mother and that you have sent in our great lord God;30 16. y ahora que Vemos que Eres nuestro Padre y que se a YmViado Dios and now that we see that you are our father, and that God has been sent here diaca lachi di-aca-lachi gui tibi yadi gui-ti-bi-yadi animas animas que que netoo netoo HAB-be-heart POT-pl-wash-clean31 souls POS 1plE we want to wash our souls clean 17. queremos labar nuestros Almas we wish to wash our souls niaque cha niaque cha lizoo tee lizoo-tee yeto y-eto na na yogoo y tollaa xihuij yogoo y.tollaa xihuij for instance-E POT-end indeed all day sin evil so that indeed it ends now, on this day and instance, all the evil sin, 18. para que se aCave de una vez el Pecado Antiguo so that once for all the ancient sin is finished etoo naca Go-lazaa cannate zi Seaglij etoo n-aca Go-lazaa canna-te-zi S-eag-lij REL STA-be CMP-turn then-E-only bi-yeni bi-ye-ni nettoo chela xoçi xotao nettoo chela xoçi xotao STA-go-straight CMP-FRE-make 1plE and netoo netoo father grandfather 1plE which existed in ancient times, always and forever, [which] we often committed, and also our fathers and grandfathers, 19. que siempre hemos cometido nosotros, nuestros Padres, y nuestros abuelos that which we have committed, we, our fathers, and our grandfathers canna tesi canna-te-si benie be-ni-e y china xihui que y.china xihui que Beselaho Beselaho Siani Siani lizoo lizoo then-E-only CMP-do-3 labor Becelao many instance evil POS for they always did the evil labor of Becelao many times. 20. ydolatrando muchas Veces commiting idolatry many times dieaggoa nettooo Bitao diaca xonee di-eagg-oa nettoo Bitao di-aca-xone-e HAB-go-carry 1plE child HAB-be-be.folded32-3 y lao Bet.o quiag dieni y.lao Be-t[a]o quiag di-eni before deity stone yocho y-ocho bi di lalag bi-di-lalag HAB-make POT-be.rancid33 CMP-pl-be.sickened34 We take children to make a reverence before the deities of stone. Something fetid is made; we were sickened. 21. y saCrificando Criaturas, 4 �and sacrificing young children, nijaque yellaa Cahuij que neto aca no zoa nijaque yellaa-Cahuij que neto aca no zoa because NOM-dark ala dihego loy yneza lij galag bita dia Cuina lo ala di-hego loy y.neza lij galag b-ita-dia-Cuina-lo POS 1plE NEG PRO STA.stand until HAB-put35 2sg road straight until CMP-arrive-strong36-self37-2sg Because of our darkness there was no one until you placed the straight road, until you yourself arrived, 22. porque hemos Vivido sin quien nos guia hasta que tu as Venido because we have lived without someone to guide us until you came bi chela ylo netio taho tee ytolla xihuij bi-chelay-lo netio taho-tee y.tolla xihuij que Bezellaho que Bezellaho y lao yeche que nettoo y.lao yeche que nettoo CMP-find38-2sg first great-E POS Becelao in sin evil town POS 1plE you found the first great one, the evil sin of Becelao, in our town 23. que Cogistes la primera [753v] Ydolatria en nuestro Pueblo, and caught the first idolatry in our town, canna ba nezi cuinalo canna ba-n-ezi-cuina-lo then xana galag bitatia xana galag b-ita-tia PRF-STA-know39-self-2sg lord until loy napa nettoo maestro dozetine netoo loy na-pa nettoo maestro dozetine netoo CMP-arrive-strong 2sg STA-keep 1plE teacher doctrine 1plE but you already know, lord: it was when you arrived that we had our teacher of the doctrine, 24. pero tanVien saves tu señ<?> que hasta que tu Veniste no hemos tenido maestro d<e> lengua Castilla, but know also, you, lord, that until you came, we did not have a teacher of the Castilian language lahaya toctrina yella christiano chella aca lahaya toctrina yella-christiano chella aca bata bata gozoo go-zoo prayer when CMP-stand priest doctrine NOM-Christian and NEG bexoçi bexoçi lachi nettoo lachi nettoo heart 1plE the prayers of the doctrine of Christianity. And there never has been a priest, a heart of ours; 25. que nos enseñaze la Doctrina Cr<?>tiana, y que tanpoco hemos tenido Padre who would teach us the Christian doctrine, and neither did we have a priest lalate zi cati bi lala-te-zi cati-bi lani lani cati cati all40-E-only when-PRT feast when dizi di-zi zee zee gona gona quehe que-he HAB-take STA.hang offering41 POS-3 only when there is a feast, when he [the priest] receives his offering. 26. si no e<s> el dia de fiesta de la obension, except for the holidays with emoluments catij nigate zi dileza catij niga-te-zi di-le-za netto netto when here-E-only HAB-be.accompanied42 1plE gola la too gola-la-too in.ancient.times43 Here we go along as in ancient times. na-bani na-bani netoo canna zi catij xoçi xotaho netto Golazaa canna la netoo canna-zi catij xoçi xotaho netto Go-lazaa canna la STA-be.alive 1plE then-only time father grandfather 1plE CMP-turn then indeed diaca zi di-aca-zi HAB-be-only We are living as in the times of our fathers and grandfathers in antiquity, it is thus, indeed. 27. Y asi hemos Viuido siempre como nuestros Antiguos, 5 �And thus, we have always lived like our ancient ones guito yeche Juridicion gui-to yeche Juridicion laha. laha. etaa etaa nabani zihe na-bani-zih-e cannate zi canna-te-zi POT-one town thus REL STA-be.alive-only-3 then-E-only jurisdiction All the towns of the jurisdiction, which always have been living thus, 28. y en toda la Jurisdicsion se a Vivido siempre asi, and always, life has been lived thus throughout the jurisdiction cati niga cati niga chala ch-ala lala lala when here HAB-celebrate44 all dioniyie di-oniyi-e [751r] y ticha goza y.ticha go-za que que Bezellaho Bezellaho word POS Becelao HAB-C-make-3 CMP-go when there are celebrations here; they all comply with the word [that] came from Becelao, 29. y an hecho las mismas Ydolatr<?> and they have committed the same idolatries la la tieaghoa zihe ti-ea-ghoa-zih-e Bitao Bitao for HAB-go-carry-only-3 child for they only bring children. 30. y saCrifisios de Criaturas; OJO and child sacrifices NOTE lani lani niaque etoo niaque etoo bi tij bi-tij gotixoghe go-ti-xogh-e netoo y lao lo netoo y.lao-lo and because which CMP-be.placed45/sell46 CMP-pl-pay47-3 1plE before-2sg And because of that which was placed and paid to you, 31. y por lo que te hemos dicho, and due to what we have said, yeag xa yeag-xa coho coho Bennee gola si Bennee gola-si gola quilohe gola qui-lo-he escuella escuella POT.go-E POT.come.across people old school old-only POT-be.placed-3 they would go and come across old people only, old ones; they were placed in the school. 32. topaste h[om]bres Viejos, que pusiste a la esCuela; you came across old men, whom you placed in the school; chella chella golala golala yaggoalo yag-goa-lo yellaa diniti lao yellaa-di-niti-lao and since48 POT.go-carry-2sg NOM-HAB-[be.forgiven] And since you brought the pardon, 33. y desde que tu nos llebaste la absolusion and since you brought us the absolution 6 �goca go-ca netto laya dioni netto laya di-o-ni nettoo y leza nettoo y.le-za CMP-take.in49 1plE prayer HAB-make 1plE towards50 gaca netto g-aca netto Benne lij Benne lij christianos christianos POT-be 1plE people Christians straight We adopted the prayers, and we wait to be true people, Christians. 34. Enpesamos a hazer Cristianos, we have begun to be Christian, lani catij ni lani catij ni dito xoa lapij lij di-to-xoa-lapij-lij netto y lao loy tolla que neto di diogo na netto y.lao loy tolla que neto di-diogo na and time DEM HAB-pl-confess-lift-straight 1plE before 2sg sin yeni Bitao yeni Bitao POS 1plE HAB-cut51 indeed neck youngster And at this time, we confess before you our sin: we indeed cut the necks of youngsters, 35. y assi te Confessamos el Pecado de degollar Criaturas; OJO and thus, we confess the sin of cutting the necks of children; NOTE yogoo xijniloo chela di tonaba neto yella diniti lao lao Dios yogoo xijni-loo chela di-to-naba neto yella-di-niti-lao lao Dios lani ylao lani y.lao all and child-2sg and HAB-pl-request 1plE NOM-HAB-forgive before God before cuina cuina Rey Rey self king all of them your children. And we request forgiveness before God, and before the king himself. 36. todos tus hijos y pedimos Perdon a Dios Y al Rey all your children, and we beg forgiveness of God and the king chela nezini chela n-ezi-ni and neto napa loo y ticha Bea neto na-pa-loo y.ticha Bea STA-know-PREP 1plE que biRey xana nettoo lani R.l Audiencia que biRey xana nettoo lani R[ea]l Audiencia STA-have-2sg word command POS viceroy lord 1plE and Real Audiencia And we know about the word of command you have from the Viceroy, our lord, and the Real Audiencia 37. y como sauemos que tienes despacho. del ss[eñ]or ViRey, y de la Audiencia and as we know you have a dispatch from the lord Viceroy, and from the Audiencia etoo etoo belaba be-laba y ticha. y.ticha. xicha. xicha. which CMP-read word native 52 huate y tichaa que hua-te-y.tichaa que 53 AG-pass-word POS netoo netoo 1plE which our interpreter read in the Zapotec language. 38. que nos leyo en Sapoteco nuestro Ynterprete; which our interpreter read to us in Zapotec chela nezi chela n-ezi netto canna loy dieni ni netto canna loy di-eni-ni and STA-know 1plE then chahuij xana nettoo ViRey lani yahui Audiencia chahuij xana nettoo ViRey lani yahui Audiencia 2sg HAB-hear-PREP well lord 1plE viceroy and palace Audiencia As we know that it is you that the Viceroy, our lord, and the palace of the Audiencia hear well, 39. y que sauemos que a ti te oye Vien, el ss[eñ]or ViRey y la Au[dienci]a, and we know that the lord Viceroy and the Audiencia do listen to you ditotaa yo netoo ylao loo di-to-taayo netoo y.lao loo guinnaba lao yellaa di niti lao ytolla eto bieni gui-nnaba-lao yellaa-di-niti-lao y.tolla eto bi-eni 7 nettoo nettoo �HAB-pl-beg54 1plE before 2sg POT-request-face NOM-HAB-forgive sin REL CMP-make 1plE we beg of you to request a pardon for the sin which we committed, 40. te Rogamos que pidas nuestro perdon. we beg you to request forgiveness for us niaque ba di cabi lachi niaque ba-di-cabi-lachi netto ylao netto y.lao Cuina Dios Cuina Dios lani lani Cuina Rey Cuina Rey because 1plE self and self PRF-HAB-confess-heart before God aca bata aca bata etoo etoo laza laza gui-to-xihuij gui-to-xihuij netoo netoo NEG when REL turn POT-pl-be.wrong55 1plE king because we have confessed before God Himself and the king himself to never sin once more. 41. porque ofresemos a Dios y al Rey, de nunca pecar because we pledge to God and the king never to sin again. chella dinaba chella di-naba and netto y lao loo Sa g-unna-he netoo bixoçi Cura aca bata yeza he yeche que netoo netto y.lao-loo Sa g-unna-he netoo bixoçi Cura aca bata ye-za-he yeche que netoo HAB-request 1plE before-2sg REL CMP-give-3 1plE father priest NEG when POT-go-3 town POS 1plE And we request before you that they give us a priest. He will never leave our town. 42. y te pedimos que nos den Cura que nunca se Vaya de nuestro Pueblo56 And we request that they give us a priest who never leaves our town, Ban neziloo Ba-nn-ezi-loo ba naca ba-n-aca yeche Bee yeche Bee PRF-STA-know-2sg PRF-STA-be town yeche xene yeche que nettoo guitoo Juridicion yeche xene yeche que nettoo gui-too Juridicion right.hand57 town large town POS 1plE POT-one jurisdiction You already know our town is a right-hand town and a large town in all of the jurisdiction. 43. pues como saues es el Mayor de toda la Jurisdicsion; for, as you know, [our town] is the main one in all the jurisdiction chiballa aca chiba-lla aca gapa netoo etoo niga noxa goze ga-pa netoo etoo niga no-xa go-ze if-thus POT-have 1plE NEG REL here gonna go-nna yoo yoo who-E CMP-offer CMP-see58 house netoo netoo 1plE If we do not have that here, someone who preserves our house, 44. y si no tenemos esto. y quien nos Cuyde and, if we do not have that, or someone who cares for us chela choo chela ch-oo and canna si maestro gotihe canna-si maestro go-tih-e HAB-be.in59 then-only teacher POT-be.placed-3 lahaya Doctrina yticha castilla lahaya Doctrina y.ticha castilla prayer doctrine word Castilian and there is always a teacher who would place the prayers of the doctrine in the Castilian language, 45. y siempre Maestro de Doctrina Christiana en Castilla; and always a teacher of the Christian doctrine in Spanish, 8 �laa yeze niti Ylao laa ye-ze-niti-Y.lao nettoo niaque aca nettoo niaque aca nezi chahui netoo n-ezi-chahui netoo niaque aca niaque aca nezi n-ezi then POT-REP-lose-face 1plE STA-know-well 1plE for STA-know 1pl because NEG NEG nettoo nettoo then, we will be lost again, because we do not know well, because we do not know 46. nos bolueremos, a perder, porque no Sauemos we will be lost again, because we do not know catij zaa catij zaa when lij lij STA.go straight y tichaa y.tichaa yella-di eag lij-lachi yella-di-eag-lij-lachi [751v] yellaa-christiano yellaa-christiano word NOM-HAB-go-straight-heart NOM-Christian when the words of the belief in Christianity are true. la Religion Catholica the Catholic religion; chela chela dinaba di-naba nettoo nettoo and HAB-request 1plE ylao loo guinnabalo y.lao-loo gui-nnaba-lo before-2sg POT-request-2sg catij niga catij niga y lao y.lao R.l Audiencia R[ea]l Audiencia time before Real Audiencia here And we request before you that you make a request there, before the Real Audiencia, 47. y te pedimos pidas esto tanVien a la R[ea]l Au[dienci]a, and we ask that you ask this also of the Real Audiencia lani lani and Cuaquio Cu-aqui-o POT-believe60-2sg y tichaa na y.tichaa na n-aca-xa n-aca-xa golala bitaloo golala b-ita-loo loy loy word STA-be-E since 2sg indeed CMP-arrive-2sg and that you believe these words that indeed exist: Since you arrived, 48. y que digas Como desde que tu Veniste and that you say how, since you came aca bata e cha ni aca bata e.cha ni gani ga-ni NEG when POT-make 1plE day DEM netoo netoo y tolla y.tolla sin xihuij xihuij que que Bezellaho Bezellaho evil POS Becelao there is never a day [when] we commit the evil sin of Becelao, 49. no hemos hecho mas el pecado de la Ydolatria we no longer have committed the sin of idolatry niaque cha lizoote si niaque cha lizoo-te-si because bita goa b-ita-goa neto yogoo etoo si neto yogoo etoo si day instance-E-only CMP-arrive-carry 1plE goti go-ti etoo si etoo si REL POT.take CMP-be.dead REL POT.take POT.live61 all because, once more, we brought all that the dead and the living would receive, 50. y que te dimos las porquerias and that we gave you the filty things bita goa b-ita-goa netto y lao loo chela ba ti netto y.lao-loo chela ba-ti CMP-arrive-carry 1plE before-2sg and PRF-EC bana bana be segui loo be-segui-loo yahuij yeha yahuij yeha niga niga CMP-burn-2sg palace here 9 plaza �which we brought before you, and [which] you already burned in this palace and plaza 51. que quemaste en la Plaza that you burned in the plaza niaque Rey niaque Rey naca xoçi que n-aca xoçi que yogoo nettoo yogoo nettoo lani lani gapa chijhe ga-pa-chij-he nettoo nettoo because king STA-be all and POT-keep-be.seated-3 1plE father POS 1plE because the king is the father of all of us, and he will guard us. 52. porque el Rey es nuestro Padre y nos a de Amparar because the king is our father, and he will shelter us canna yella dichebij canna yella-di-chebij que y tolla que y.tolla etoo etoo natapa na-ta-pa netoo netoo only POS REL STA-pl-have 1plE NOM-HAB-be.frightened sin From the fear of the sin that we have 53. pues de el miedo, de nuestro pecado, for, due to the fear issuing from our sin, diacalachij di-aca-lachij yogoo xicoo yogoo xi-coo HAB-be-heart all xijniloo gazi xijni-loo g-azi POS-dog son-2sg guixij guixij taho cheag to to nettoo niti-lao nettoo taho ch-eag to to nettoo niti-lao nettoo POT-sleep wilderness62 great HAB-go one one 1plE POT.lose-face 1plE all your household members and children want to sleep in the wilderness; each of us would go, and we would be lost. 54. nos hemos querido yr todos los hijos del Pueblo por esos Montes we, all the children of the town, have wanted to leave for those mountains Na Na nacaxa loy cannate zi dunnalo, n-aca-xa loy canna-te-zi d-unna-lo indeed STA-be-E 2sg then-E-only HAB-say-2sg ytichaa sîna y.tichaa sîna lao lao nij nij neza neza lij lij word before DEM road straight wise Indeed, it is you who always says the wise words about this straight road, 55. y como tu nos as aConsejado tantas Veces and as you have counseled us many times niaque guinaho niaque gui-na-ho neto neto chi llj te chi-llj-te eto eto naca nalij n-aca na-lij because POT-say-2sg 1plE STA.sit-straight-E REL STA-be STA-straight for you will tell us what sits straight, that which is straight. 56. el que Digamos la Verdad, that we say the truth, dienibee di-eni-bee 63 HAB-hear-wind netoo netoo yellabachij yella-ba-chij xene xene eto eto dionilo di-oni-lo 1plE NOM-PRF-be.loved64 large REL HAB-do-2sg We hear about the great affection that you have, 10 �chela loy chela loy di zolani lo di-zo-lani-lo and HAB-stand-with-2sg 1plE 2sg neto neto diaca lani loo nettoo di-aca-lani-loo nettoo HAB-be-with-2sg 1plE and that you stand with us, you are with us, 57. Viendo que nos quieres mucho; Y que tu nos defiendes seeing that you love us very much, and that you defend us niaque naha yogoote di toxoba lapij niaque naha yogoo-te di-to-xoba-lapij because now all-E netoo ylao lo netoo y.lao-lo HAB-pl-be.placed-lift 1plE before-2sg chela chela dinao di-nao netoo y lao lo netoo y.lao-lo and HAB-say 1plE before-2sg thus, we confess everything before you and we say before you: 58. por eso te lo Confesamos y te desimos hence, we confess to you and tell you canna Vita canna V-ita only Bexoçi y lao yeche aca bata ditoxoalapij Bexoçi y.lao yeche aca bata di-to-xoa-lapij CMP-arrive priest in town y tolla nigaa galag naha y.tolla nigaa galag naha NEG when HAB-pl-be.placed-lift sin here until now one never confesses the sin here until now, when the priest arrived in town. 59. que quando el Padre yVa, al Pueblo, nunCa hemos Confesado este pecado, that we would never confess this sin when the priest came to our town, dialoy dia-loy beluy loo be-luy-loo yella aca no netoo yella-aca-no-netoo gachi g-achi guichebij gui-chebij = HAB-show CMP-show-2sg NOM-NEG-PRO-1plE POT-fear POT-be.frightened You show, and have shown, that not one of us will be afraid or be frightened, 60. hasta ahora que tu nos as dicho no tengamos miedo, until now, for you have told us not to be afraid lani lani go naBee loy lao nettoo guito xoa lapij go-naBee loy lao nettoo gui-to-xoa-lapij and CMP-order 2sg face 1plE na lijçi na-lij-çi ylao bixoçi gopa Betaho y tollaa y.lao bixoçi go-pa Betaho y.tolla POT-pl-be.placed-lift STA-straight-only before priest AG-keep deity and you ordered us to confess only the truth, the sin, before the priest and deity keeper. 61. y que nos as mandado que Confesemos al Padre el Pecado; and you have ordered us to confess the sin to the priest, niaque dinnaba nettoo y lao lo guinnaba loo lao niaque di-nnaba nettoo y.lao-lo gui-nnaba-loo lao because HAB-request 1plE goque xana goque xana before-2sg POT-request-2sg before ruler lord nettoo Señor obispo nettoo Señor obispo 1plE Lord For we request before you that you request before our ruler and lord, the Lord Bishop 62. Y asi te pedimos [754r] Pidas al Señor õbispo, and thus we request that you request the lord bishop guisellaahe gui-sellaa-he yeche que netoo Bexoçi yeche que netoo Bexoçi yella guitoxoa lapij yella-gui-to-xoa-lapij 11 yogoo netoo yogoo netoo Bishop sin �POT-send-3 town POS 1plE priest NOM-POT-pl-be.placed-lift all 1plE that he sends our town a priest for the confession of us all 63. que nos embie Padre que nos Confiese a todos that he sends us a priest who gives us confession niaque yeyadi niaque ye-yadi yexij ye-xij because POT-clean yogoo yogoo POT-wash65 all Animas que Animas que nettoo Dios nettoo Dios guixog xillaaho gui-xog-xillaa-ho souls 1plE POT-pay-riches-2sg POS God in order to clean and wash all of our souls. God will pay you with riches. 64. para que nos labe. nuestras Almas y Dios te lo pagara; so that he may cleanse our souls, and God will repay you, [752r] lani yogoo nettoo lani yogoo nettoo xijnilo nitaa netoo xana xijni-lo n-itaa netoo xana xoggo xoggo and child-2sg STA-be 1plE lord behind nitaha loo nitaha-loo naseni na-seni nayeni lo na-yeni-lo yogoo nettoo yogoo nettoo STA.be.sheltered66-2sg STA- entrust.oneself67 STA-be.seen68-2sg all all 1plE 1plE And we all, your children, we are behind you, lord, you shelter us; all of us entrust ourselves to you and are seen by you. 65. Y todos tus hijos que estamos deBajo de tu Amparo and all your children, who are under your shelter etoo lizoo etoo lizoo dieze naba di-eze-naba REL instance HAB-REP69-request netoo netoo Misericordia Misericordia lao lao xana deho xana-deho Dios Dios lao lao Rey Rey 1plE mercifulness before lord-1plI God before king Once again, we request mercifulness before God, lord of us all, and before the king 66. Volvemos a pedir misericordia, a Dios, al Rey. we ask again for mercifulness from God and the king niaque niaque naa naa dibequi netoo lao di-bequi netoo lao guichij niga guichij niga yogoo firmas yogoo firmas queni nettoo que-ni nettoo because now HAB-place 1plE paper all POS-3 1plE on here signatures as we now place all of our signatures on this paper. 67. y asii y todos and hence we all sign this paper y goote y.goo-te nettoo yeche San Juan Yalalag Se yo pa nettoo yeche San Juan Yalalag Se-yopa CMP-tell.account70 1plE town gheyoa gh-eyoa nettoo guichi niga y lao loo nettoo guichi niga y.lao-lo PRM-hurry71 POT-carry.load72 1plE paper here before you We told this account at the town of San Juan Yalalag. We hasten to carry this paper before you. 68. delante de ti 12 �before you. don Gonzalo de Aquino alcalde Sebastian Solis rexidores fran[cis]co her[nan]des Rexidores Seuastian m[a]r[ti]n Jua[n] martin fran[cis]co ximenes [cris]toua morales Ju[an] ylar [cris]toua morales Jacinto de Celis alcalde felipe de s[an]tiago rexidor seuastian ximenes alguacil mayor Agustin Santiago [cris]toua morales P[edr]o de aquino Juan martin Bartolomen basquis Agustin de la crus Domas de Aquino fran[cis]co martin Rexidores Baltasar de los Reyes Nicolas Cano grabiel de bargas matheo sanches Ant[oni]o hernandes escribano que yechi nij San Ju[an] Yalal<a> Antonio Hernandes notary DEM San Juan Yalalag POS town fran[cis]co Santiago Antonio Hernandes, notary of this town of San Juan Yalalag. Concuerda este trasumpto Con el Papel original, que debolui, al señor Alcalde M[ay]or: de Cuia õrden This trasumpto is in agreemen it with the original document, which I returned to the lord Alcalde Mayor, and by whose order Saque este trasumpto, el qual Va, Vien y fielm[en]te trasumptado Segun mi legal sauer y entender y lo firme I made this trasumpto, which has been translated faithfully and well, according to my legal understanding and knowledge, and I signed it en esta V[ill]a Alta de San Yldefonzo a Siete Dias del mes de Diziembre de mil zetesientos y quatro a[ño]s Como Ynterprete gen[era]l deste jusgado. Joseph Ramos. in this Villa Alta of San Ildefonso, on the seventh day of the month of December of 1704. As general interpreter of this court, Joseph Ramos. 13 �References Alcina Franch, José. 1993. Calendario y religión entre los zapotecos. Mexico City: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Calvo, Thomas. 2010. Vencer la derrota. Vivir en la sierra zapoteca de México (1674-1707). Zamora: Colegio de Michoacán, CEMCA, CIESAS. ______. 2019. "Pedro Boza (1660-1715): au service de la justice dans la sierra zapotèque du Mexique." Les Cahiers de Framespa 30; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/framespa.5702. Córdova, Fray Juan de. 1578. Vocabulario en lengua Çapoteca. México: Pedro de Ocharte y Antonio Ricardo. 1578b Arte en lengua çapoteca. Mexico City: Pedro Balli. Cruz Soto, Irma Guadalupe. 1993. “Magdalena Papalo y Joseph Chicon: Dos médicos nahuas del siglo XVI.” BA thesis, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Durán, Diego. 1967. Historia de las indias de Nueva España e islas de la tierra firme. 2 vols., edited by Angel María Garibay. Mexico City: Editorial Porrúa. Duviols, Pierre. 2003. Proceso y visitas de idolatrías. Cajatambo, siglo XVII. Lima: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Farriss, Nancy. 2018. Tongues of Fire. Language and Evangelization in Colonial Mexico. New York: Oxford University Press. Feria, Pedro de. 1567. Doctrina christiana en lengua castellana y çapoteca. Mexico City: Pedro Ocharte. Foreman, John. 2004. "Experiencer Subjects in Macuiltianguis Zapotec." Paper presented at the Conference on Otomanguean and Oaxacan Languages. 14 �Gillow, Eulogio. [1889] 1990. Apuntes históricos sobre la idolatría e introducción del cristianismo en Oaxaca. Mexico City: Ediciones Toledo. Lara Cisneros, Gerardo. 2014. ¿Ignorancia invencible? Superstición e idolatría ante el Provisorato de Indios y Chinos del Arzobispado de México en el siglo XVIII. Mexico City: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Long, Rebecca, and Sofronio Cruz. 1999. Diccionario zapoteco de San Bartolome Zoogocho, Oaxaca. Mexico City: Instituto Lingüístico de Verano. López, Filemón, and Ronaldo Newberg. 2005. La conjugación del verbo zapoteco: Zapoteco de Yalálag, 2nd ed. Mexico City: Instituto Lingüístico de Verano. Martín, Juan. 1696. Bvcabulario de la lengua Castellana y zapoteca nexitza. Newberry Library, Ayer 1702. Ruiz de Alarcón, Hernando. 1984. Treatise on the Heathen Superstitions That Today Live among the Indians Native to This New Spain, 1629, edited by J. Richard Andrews and Ross Hassig. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. Pacheco de Silva, Francisco. 1687. Doctrina Christiana en lengua Zapoteca Nexitza. Mexico City: Francisco Sánchez. Reyes, fray Gaspar de los. [1704] 1891. Arte de la Lengua Zapoteca Serrana. Oaxaca: Imprenta del Estado. Smith-Stark, Thomas C., Áurea López Cruz, Mercedes Montes de Oca Vega, Laura Rodríguez Cano, Adam Sellen, and Alfonso Torres Rodríguez. 2008. “Tres documentos zapotecos coloniales de San Antonino Ocotlán.” In Pictografía y escritura alfabética en Oaxaca, ed. Sebastián van Doesburg, 287–350. Oaxaca: CSEIIO, SAI, CEDELIO, FAHHO. 15 �Sousa, Lisa. 2017. The Woman Who Turned Into a Jaguar, and Other Narratives of Native Women in Archives of Colonial Mexico. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Tavárez, David. 2011. The Invisible War: Indigenous Devotions, Discipline, and Dissent in Colonial Mexico. Stanford: Stanford University Press. ________. 2022. Rethinking Zapotec Time: Cosmology, Ritual, and Resistance in Colonial Mexico. Austin: University of Texas Press. Taylor, William B. 1996. Magistrates of the Sacred. Priests and Parishioners in Eighteenthcentury Mexico. Stanford: Stanford University Press. Torralba, Juan Francisco. 1800. Arte Zaapoteco. Manuscript, Newberry Library, Ayer 1699. Wood, Stephanie. 2003. Transcending Conquest: Nahua Views of Spanish Colonial Mexico. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. 16 �NOTES 1 Following the lead of an influential collective translation of a Colonial Valley Zapotec testament (Smith-Stark et al. 2008), my translation contains two transcription lines. Line 1 transcribes the text without standardized word boundaries and with abbreviations, and Line 2 divides words into constituent morphemes, notes errors, and resolves abbreviations. 2 CO-418v: Vamonos juntos, "let us go together," zàa-chào-no; see also CO-422v. 3 See Reyes (1704 [1891]: 37) for a discussion of the irregular first-peson plural marker -to- or -t-, inserted before the verbal root. 4 CO-39v: Arrodillado ser, "to be on one's knees," ti-zòo-xibi-a. 5 CO-169v: Misericordia hazer, "to grant mercy," te-zàa-làchi-a. Long 1999: 198, ch-za' laže', to wish to make a gift. Bernardino Cano of Yalahui (pers. comm. 2008) suggested the gloss "he favored, he did a favor," for be-zaalachi-e. 6 Tipa is glossed as "strong man's force" (CO-201v); "verve" (CO-83v); see Butler 2000 (henceforth BU): 91, ch- dip, to have strength. The term tipa-tee with the emphatic -tee refers to a testator's bad state of health in several Northern Zapotec wills; it could mean "excessive force," and may signal, in keeping with Mesoamerican traditions, a worrisome imbalance. 7 CO-3v: Abreuiado ser. vide disminuyr, "to be abbreviated, to diminish," ti-huìni-a. Pacheco de Silva [1687] 1752: 110v, ree-lla-zi ri-huini-ta, I regret with all my heart. 8 BU-163, le-, right away, immediately; an adverbial affix. 9 CO-275v: Mucho, "much, many," ciàni. 10 CO-84r: Concertados ser assi, "to come to an agreement," te-xija; quela-hue-xija chahui is glossed in 84r as "agreement among litigants." 11 CO-85r: Confessar la fe, "to confesst the faith," to-xóba-lij-a. 12 BU-264: Indeed, na. 13 CO-49r: Auer miedo, "to be afraid," te-àache-a. 14 BU-6: When, bat. 15 BU-112: To dare, ch-eyaxje; CMP: b-eyaxje. 16 See Foreman 2004 for an analysis of -ni in Macultianguis Zapotec as a verbal preposition that licenses an 17 �argument that receives dative case. I thank Pam Munro for suggesting this analysis of -ni. 17 BU-426: To hear, ch-ene. 18 CO-87v: Conocer confessando, "to learn about through confession," ti-càbi-a. 19 For another example of xi-tolla and a plural possessive, see Pacheco de Silva [1687] 1752: 33r, lalaa-bi Cuina-e r-o-nitti lao Xi-tolla-reheo, "and he forgives the sins." 20 CO-310v: Perdonados ser, "to be forgiven," ti-nijti lào. 21 López and Newberg 2005: 5, To carry, oa'. 22 Feria 1567, 57r: qui-nnî-to qui-topa laya ni-tij, "you will say and gather these prayers," glossed as rezad muy a menudo estas oraciones, "say these prayers frequently." 23 AHJO-VA Civil 29 L3 E4, 46v: zaballazi, "although." 24 Butler 1980: 74, CMP: gw-lo'o-bo, insert. 25 CO-322v: Porfiada ser vna cosa... o tratarse assi en contradicion, "for something to be stubborn, or to be treated with contrariness," ti-záca-láo. 26 CO-43v: Assombrado estar, "to be frightened," ti-chíbi-a. 27 Torralba 1800: 42v-43r, solamente un punto de tiempo, "only a single moment in time," gati-ci. 28 BU-94: To be content, rejoice, ch-ebei. 29 CO-153r: Embiar adelante, "to send forward," gati-ci, ti-xéla. 30 Ramos’ translation renders this phrase as an antipassive construction. Alternative, “our great lord God sent you.” 31 BU-414: To wash, ch-yib. CO-56v: Blanquear o limpiar, "to whiten or clean," t-o-ni-yàti-a. 32 CO-359r: Reuerencia ser hecha, "for a reverence to be made," t-aca-xoñi-a; CO-316v: Plegado ser, "to be folded," ti-xoni-a; CO-370v: Salutation, quela-xoñij. 33 CO-30r: Be rancid, tò-ocho-a; CO-217r: Heder como quiera, "to give out a strong smell," tó-ocho-a. 34 BU-132: To make someone sick, ch-la'ale; CMP: b-la'ale. 35 BU-121: To put in, ch-go'o. 36 BU-215: -dia', tough, strong; see also Butler 1980, 264. 37 See Reyes [1704] 1891 for a discussion of cuina. Here, cuina may function as an honorific, as yobi sometime does in Colonial Valley Zapotec. I thank Pam Munro for this observation. 38 CO-213v: Hallado ser, "to be found," ti-chèla; CMP: pi-. 18 �39 CO-87v: Conocer los beneficios, "to know about the gifts," t-ecij-a páa-nèza. 40 APJO-VA Civil 29, L3 E4, 16r: tzela lala goree nabania, "and that all the time of my life..." 41 CO-367v: Sacrificio, "sacrifice, offering," cóna. 42 CO-82r: Compañero ser, "to be a companion," ti-le-çàa-ya. 43 BU-238: In ancient times, gwlal-te. 44 BU-52: Be celebrated, ch-alə. 45 CO-319v: Puesto ser, "to be placed," ti-tij. 46 BU-42: To sell merchandise, CMP: be-tə'. APJO-VA Civil 60, L4 E14, 12r: biti Ju[an] lopes, "that Juan sold." 47 CO-297v: Pagar deuda, "to pay a debt," ti-quíxe-a, CMP: coti-; BU-428: To pay, ch-yixjw. 48 CO-393v: Tanto quanto, "since the time that," colaala. Long and Cruz 2000, 234: gwlal, during that time, while (in the past). 49 BU-73: To take (in), ch-ca’a. For laya as “prayer,” see note 28. Ricardo Ambrosio (pers. comm., 2021), interprets goca netto laya as gwkaa nhetu lhai, “we selected this prayer.” 50 BU-69: To await, ch-on lez. Alternative, CO-105v, Near, le-çáa-ni. 51 CO-115v: Degollar, "to behead," t-o-tògo-yàni-a. 52 In the Caxonos variant, ticha xicha means, "the native language, the Zapotec language" (Ricardo Ambrosio, pers. comm., 2008). 53 CO-194v: Faraute de lenguas, "interpreter," hue-tè-xi-ticha. 54 BU-444: Beg, ch-atə'əyoi. APJO-VA Civil 228, E15 E 6, 28r: eto go-tayo-e laoh-a, "that which he begged me." 55 CO-306r: Peccar generalmente o errar, "to sin, in general, or to err," ti-xihui-a. 56 Note on margin: piden Cura perpetuo, "they ask for a permanent priest." 57 CO-257v: Mano derecha, "right hand," pèe. 58 This expression is a couplet that splits the two components of an expression glossed as "to preserve," CO-88v: Conseruar Dios las cosas en su ser, "for God to preserve things in their state," ti-nna-ze-a. 59 BU-158: ch-o'o, be in, be present. 60 BU-57: To believe, think, pity, ch-aque; dubitative, gu-aque. 61 BU-63: To live, POT: əban. Alternative, CO-235v: Intangible cosa sancta, "untouchable, sacred thing," na-pàana. 62 CO-69: Campo generalmente, "field, countryside, in general," lao quixi. 19 �63 CO-289r: Oyrse lo que suena lexos, "to hear what resounds far away," n-ièni-pèe. 64 CO-25r: Amado ser, "to be loved," ti-chij-a; CO-55r: Bien querer, "to love or esteem well," te-chij-làchi-a. 65 CO-334r: Purgarse de peccado, vide limpiarse, "to be purged of sin, see to be cleansed," te-xée te-yáti anima; see also CO-56v, 99r. 66 The verb ti-nijta-ya is glossed in Córdova as "to be defended, sheltered" (115r); "to be placed inside" (267r); "to be favored" (195r). 67 CO-162v: Encomendarse a alguno, "to entrust oneself to someone," ti-zeni-a. 68 CO-428r: Visto ser vno, "for one to be seen," ti-èni-a. 69 The repetitive is -ce- according to Reyes [1704] 1891. 70 BU-89: ch-de, to recount, CMP: gw-de. 71 CO-34r: Apresurarse, "to hurry," ti-yòpa-ya. 72 CO-250v: Lleuar la carga que truxe, "to carry the load I brought," t-eyòa-ya. 20 � https://zapotectime.vassarspaces.net/archive/files/original/116/Yalalag_idolatry_confession-AGI_Mex_750r.jpg d79241db8e6fa8cd8a9de91ef5c9f2a1 https://zapotectime.vassarspaces.net/archive/files/original/116/Yalalag_confession-signatures-AGI_Mex_752r.tiff 25bcdf659e14c0b78024d88d23100312 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Idolatry confession from Yalalag/ Confesión sobre idolatrías de Yalalag Subject The topic of the resource Indians of México - History Manuscripts, Mexican - 17th century Description An account of the resource Document in Colonial Northern Zapotec variant. 5 Folios. Transcription and analysis by David Tavárez. Language: zap-NC (Colonial Northern Zapotec) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource don Gonzalo de Aquino, alcalde; Jacinto de Celis, alcalde; Antonio Hernandes , escribano; and other members of the 1704 Yalalag town council. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Archivo General de Indias, Spain Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Vassar College Anthropology Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1700-1750 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tavárez, David Eduardo Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource © Spain, Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte. Archivo General de Indias, México 882, FOLIO NUMBERS. Reproduced by permission granted on 03/09/2018, license 39/2018. © Transcription and analysis by David Tavárez Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Manuscript on European paper Language A language of the resource zap-NC Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context AGI México 882, 750r-754r Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Yalalag, (Caxonos Zapotec Region), México Yalalag