Description
San Pedro Chenalhó is in a valley in the middle of a river and coffee, orange, banana and peaches farming, in a region of 30,876
inhabitants. The saints dress the same suits that identify Tzotzil community, so named chamanes. Like in other regions, they have
the beauty and traditions, evident in the fabrics and festivities; carnival, lent, and the San Pedro Santo Patrono celebration.
This community is faithful to prehispanish customs and traditions that astonish first time visitors.
The name Chenalhó means in Tzotzil Water Cavern. The name of San Pedro was placed before Chenalhó during the colony, it was
managed in the religious aspect by the secular priesthood Chamula during XVIII century. The inhabitants participated in Caste War
in 1869, headed by Pedro Díaz Cuscat, Chamula leader.
Historic monuments
· Templo de San Pedro ·
It was built in XVII century, the frontispiece presents a vaulted niche where a half point arch with access is located, with imposts
moldings and an eye with archivolt, it also contains four niches with pedestal.
The superior belfry, separated from the main wall by a cornice, has three half point arches. The Architectural plant consists
of only one aisle with half point triumph arch as a paladiano vain; a wooden retable with Corinthian and inverted pyramid pilasters
are placed inside it. The aisle is covered by a quilted maintaining the beams. The floor is pink paste mosaic without chorus.
Handcrafts
San Pedro Chenalhó is distinguished by its beautiful and traditional fabrics, in which prehispanish myths symbols appear, these huipiles can be found in the village festivity, particularly at the carnival, lent and the June San Pedro festivity.
Ethnics group
Tzotzil.
How to get there?
From San Cristóbal de Las Casas take the states highway and continue to a detour to Macuiljó to get to the community, 36 Km from San Cristóbal.
Services
Language Turistic guided tours to the community.
Travel hints
Instructions related to San Pedro Chenalhó community:
· It is forbidden to photograph at the interior of the ceremonial rituals and to authorities.
· At the church interior do not disturb ceremonial rituals and do not trespass spaces.
· If interested in acquiring community handcrafts, they can be bought at the Tianguis or at side of municipatility palace.
Places nearby
San Juan Chamula, Mitontic and Zinacantán.
Festivity
· Fiesta de San Pedro ·
This festivity is carried on during June on behalf of community Santo Patrono; in this celebration civic
authorities wear their vestments, so colored, in ritual ceremonials and processions, besides a peculiar horse race takes place,
where butlers ride horses to reach the precious prize, the duck’s head brutally hanged. The carnival, executed the same way than
San Juan Chamula.
Contact
Tourism Delegation at the city.
Av. Miguel Hidalgo No. 1 Local “B”
Tel: (967) 67 865-70, 67 814-67
And 01 800-280-3500
