The Tzotzil are a Maya people inhabiting the central highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. Their name translates to "People of the Bat" in their native language.
This community is world-famous for its unique religious syncretism. Inside the Church of San Juan Chamula, there are no pews; the floor is covered in pine needles, and worshippers pray amidst thousands of candles. They use incense, pox (a potent cane liquor), and occasionally chicken sacrifices in rituals that blend Catholicism with ancestral Maya beliefs.
Language: Tzotzil is one of the most vibrant Maya languages, with nearly half a million speakers.
Textiles: They are easily identified by their heavy wool clothing, essential for the cold mountain climate. In Chamula, men often wear thick black or white wool tunics (chuj), while women wear heavy black sheep-wool skirts.
Autonomy: They maintain a very rigid traditional "cargo system," which mixes religious service with civil duties.
Zapatismo: Many Tzotzil communities have been a fundamental part of the EZLN (Zapatista Army of National Liberation) movement, fighting for indigenous rights and autonomy since 1994.
Their lives revolve around the cultivation of maize, beans, and coffee. They are also master artisans, excelling in backstrap loom weaving and the production of local amber.
Photo Gallery: © Jordi Zaragozà Anglès / Mexico - 2013
Extended info about Tzotzil people