A people of the mountainous regions of Oaxaca, Mexico. Several of their historical codices survive, from which their dynastic history can be traced back to 692 ad, including their famous king Eight-Dear-Tiger-Claw. By c.1000 ad they had formed a loose confederation of city-states and in the 14th century began to infiltrate the valley of Oaxaca where they sometimes fought, and sometimes mixed with, the Zapotec culture there.