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People group profile · PG039066

The Quiotepec Chinantec of Mexico

The Quiotepec Chinantec of Mexico, numbering about 5,700 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are an Oto-Manguean people of northern Oaxaca's Chinantla region around San Juan Quiotepec, whose settlements date back over 3,500 years, conquered by the Aztecs in 1455 who founded Tuxtepec to govern the territory.

They are an indigenous people in the Zapotec people cluster of the Latin American and Caribbean Peoples. Their primary religion is Folk Catholicism, and they primarily speak Spanish.

Pray for the Quiotepec ChinantecPrint profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Quiotepec Chinantec people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite: Chinantec, Western

Fast facts

Country
Mexico
Population
5,700
Affinity group
American Peoples
People cluster
Zapotec
Primary language
Spanish (spa)
Primary religion
Folk Catholicism
Strategic Progress Index ?
Engaged yet Unreached
Evangelical
Less than 2%
GSEC ?
Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
Lostness priority ?
Expanding Unreached People Group
Region
Central America, Americas
Location
Oaxaca: Etla district, San Juan Bautista Atatlah; Ixtlán district, San Juan Quiotepec, Reforma, Maninaltepec, San Pedro Yolox, and Rosario Temextitlán

Where they live

Gospel status

The Quiotepec Chinantec are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.

  • Congregations exist Yes
  • Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted

Next steps for the Quiotepec Chinantec

  • Continue prayer and fasting for this group
  • Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
  • Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people

Primary religion

Folk Catholicism · Christianity

97% adherents

Primary language

Spanish · Indo-European family

100% speak Spanish

Gospel resources in Spanish

  • Bible available
  • JESUS Film available
  • Radio programs available
  • Gospel recordings available
  • Audio resources available
  • Bible stories not available

Films

Bibles

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Quiotepec Chinantec

  1. Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
  2. Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
  3. 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
  4. Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.

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