Ñuu Savi women of Oaxaca no longer migrate, now they sow

Families from several communities of the Ñuu Savi people in southern Mexico have stopped migrating to agricultural fields in northern regions and instead resumed farming in their home communities. This shift marks a new chapter for these families, who once relied heavily on seasonal labor outside their hometowns. The change has been driven by a combination of factors, including changes in migration patterns, economic necessity, and personal decisions made by women in the community. The transformation began around six years ago when Sandra Luna convinced her husband to stay behind and work their land rather than continue migrating to agricultural jobs in Baja California. Before this decision, the couple had already begun cultivating flowers and berries, though on a small scale. Now, with both working locally, they have turned farming into a more stable source of income for their family. Sandra lives in Guadalupe Nundaca, a small village of just 550 residents in the municipality of San Sebastián Tecomaxtlahuaca, located in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca. Her husband, Eustaquio López, previously spent nearly 27 years working in agricultural fields near Ensenada and Tijuana, where he harvested crops such as green beans, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes. Eustaquio recalls that before deciding to remain in his hometown, he had lived away from his family for much of the year, returning only during festivals and holidays. He explains that after being assigned to serve in his home community, he decided to take advantage of the opportunity to cultivate his own land. “I had already built my life there, and I only came back to the town for the Day of the Dead and the patron saint’s feast,” he says. “When it was time for service, I had to stay all year. That’s when I started working my plots.” According to data from the 2025 Retrospective Demographic Survey (EDER) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), there has been a decline in early-life migration among Mexicans. For generations born between 1961 and 1967, and those born between 1998 and 2007, the percentage of individuals who migrated before turning 18 dropped from 21.3% to 14.4%. This trend reflects broader shifts in rural livelihoods and economic opportunities. For Sandra, the decision to stay was also influenced by the lack of paid work in her community. Like many others, she would return to her hometown during certain months of the year to help with farming, only to travel again to Ensenada for work. She remembers starting to grow flowers on her parents' land when she was 19, selling them at local markets. “I brought very few flowers to sell, and it was only on market days,” she recalls. “Most of the time we were in Ensenada, and no one was there to care for the flowers while we were away.” Today, Sandra is the primary woman in her family dedicated to flower cultivation, alongside growing berries. She describes her passion for the work, even as she acknowledges the challenges. “I love flowers, they catch my attention, although sometimes I don’t find the right care for them,” she says. “But I keep trying until I learn everything about each one.” She adds that maintaining the plants requires constant attention, removing weeds, fertilizing, and ensuring they thrive. “When you watch over the flowers carefully, they look beautiful, but if you neglect them, they dry up or rot quickly. That’s why you have to constantly weed and feed them.” Other nearby communities in the area, such as San Marcos Xinicuesta, Río de Hielo, Zaragoza, Yukuyí, and Guadalupe Nundaca, have also embraced similar practices. These efforts provide a steady income for families, reducing the need for long-distance migration. “Once the plants are established, it’s not the same as going away for a few months and coming back,” Sandra notes. “They dry up, they rot, and that prevents us from leaving again.” She concludes with a simple yet powerful statement: “The work can also be done here.”