Magdalena Tequisistlán

Magdalena Tequisistlán dates its founding to 1410. The name comes from Nahuatl (tequisquitl and tlan), Magdalena is the town's patron saint, and in Chontal it was called Maadú. Tequistlatec, now an extinct language, was spoken here, and a highland variety of Oaxacan Chontal is still heard in the municipality.

The Relaciones Geográficas of 1580 count about 650 people and a very poor Dominican friary, and describe the town as the head of neighbouring villages that paid it tribute. Friar Francisco de Burgoa wrote of an orchard with fruit trees, cacao, achiote and vanilla. The church of Santa María Magdalena seen today dates from 1884.

The 2020 census counted 3,605 people in the town, at roughly 200 metres above sea level, in a warm, sub-humid municipality with summer rain. The hills around hold pine and oak, deer, opossum, coyote, armadillo and wild boar. People grow corn, coffee and vegetables mostly for their own tables, some raise cattle, and mezcal is made on a small scale. Local cooperatives work large marble deposits that, by the municipal encyclopedia, employ about 40% of the economically active population.

From 20 to 24 July the town celebrates its patron with masses, fireworks, sports tournaments and public dances, which is the best time to see it full of people.