LIVE CULTURES IN
LOS ALTOS FROM CHIAPAS
The actual mayan people
I don't know in which year I was born. My parents didn't know, they never told me.
I'm a Chamula Indian, I met the sun in my forefather's place which is near
Gran Pueblo (Big Town), in the spot of Cuchulumtic.
"Juan Perez Jolote"
Ricardo Pozas
The scent from the fir tree fills the high lands from Chiapas. The clouds which dance between the
high branches of the pine forest rise and clear the sight to enjoy the everlasting green reflected by
the pristine sun rays.
The natural and cultural elements from Los Altos (highlands) from Chiapas place this region between
the most interesting places for the tourist looking toward the balance between the cultural tourism
and the ecological one. The mountains and valleys are full of human settlements which are direct
descendants from the ancient Mayas, give the traveler scenes full of mysticism and color that will be
indelible on the mind that seize them.
Flooded with former Mayan villages, the highlands region keep traditions and landscapes with almost
no modifications since the colonial stage, having as their urban center the city of San Cristobal de las
Casas, famous for being rich in cultural heritage. The popular art, the gastronomy and the particular
holydays of each town, give each and every pad a special colour, being some of this representations,
the extraordinary Chamula Carnival which takes place in the month of February in Chamula Tenejapa
and other towns or also the Spring and Peace Fair in San Cristobal, which strictly takes place before
Holy Week.
The natural attractive is also of a great beauty, as it is shown by the caverns from Rancho Nuevo
(New Ranch) or the ones at Teopisca, the Arcotete or the scenery of Navenchauc, all of them geologic
formations that remark the lime beauty from Los Altos (highlands) of Chiapas. The amber, fossilized
resin with some million years since its formation has its unique national production place at Simojovel,
proud exporter of this petrified jewel to worldwide markets.
The proud descendants from the Mayan culture, the Tzotzil and Tzeltzal etnas exist side to side with
the modern society creating a cultural mosaic, in few occasions reproduced in Mexico, placing this
complex of elements as one of the best options for a trip through Chiapas.
A WEAVE OF HISTORY AND TRADITION
TEXTILES, ART AND EXPRESSION FROM THE MAYAS
Some centuries ago, actually known as the Classic Period (200-900 b. C.), Mayan people created a
magnificent and unique culture. Their temples, pyramids and palaces over crowd cities, their brilliant
art forms, their advanced astronomy knowledge, as well as their writing systems were fully developed
in the whole New World. Later, the classic civilization collapsed, but Mayas didn't disappear. Today there
are over 4 millions of them living in the highlands of Chiapas, in Mexico's southeast rainforest and in
Guatemala and Belice, occidental zone of Honduras and El Salvador.
Through the centuries adaptation and ethnic union, as well as deep cultural roots have characterized
the Mayan history. Thanks to this elements it has been possible the survival of this group. People's
history and Mayan textile tradition have been preserved due to determination and adaptation to the
change.
The waist loom weave has been a pillar for this culture. since their origins in the prehispanic stage up
to our days, has been preserved in hundreds of towns and villages in which this activity is a part of
their daily living. Before the Spaniards arrival the fabrics were not only used as clothes but also as a trade
element, tribute payment and presents. In those years the fabrics were made of cotton or agave fibers,
depending on the social class of the one how wore them.
During the colonial period, the use of the agave's fiber was changed gradually toward the use of cotton.
Also the Spaniards introduced the use of the pedal loom, sheep and their wool. Mayas added these new
features in some highlands areas, where men's clothes were influenced by the European style. In some
other communities, wool was also used on the waist loom. Never the less, this material never replaced
cotton as the raw material for this kind of job.
Each community has it's own and characteristic dressing style, which identifies it's members. The designs
in their dresses had been used by Mayan women for more than a thousand years, but this tradition has
survived due to constant innovations in the antique general deign forms. This way, the fabrics worn by
Mayan people are more than just beautiful patterns that pull other's attention. The designs they get into
their clothes show the forces of creation and nature; are the language to in which they tell their view of
cosmos, their believes, their own world. a recovery of traditional Mayan designs and patterns had take
place during the XX century. The oral tradition from different etnas has been preserved by fabrics, which
have been some sort of writing where the community's identity has survived.
Tradition speaks about the relation between woven textiles and moon divinities, birth and creation.
The patterns used by each weaver in her masterpiece are linked to a millenary and deep cosmo vision.
This way, for instance, the rhombus stand for the whole universe with it's four pads; plant motives,
for the entire growing cycle of plants, basically the corn and animals stand for the nature's
power.
San Cristobal de las Casas has been since long ago an important reunion center for textile product's
commercialization for the mayan communities from Los Altos (highlands) from Chiapas.
