Indigenous Peoples of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán.

Itinerary

• 09:30 am Start San Cristobal
• 09:50 am Departure from San Cristobal
• 10:00 am Zinacantan
• 11:40 am Departure from Zinacantan
• 12:00 pm San Juan Chamula
• 01:20 pm Departure from San Juan Chamula
• 01:40 pm End San Cristobal

Detailed description

Departure time: 9:30 a.m. (hotel pickup) in San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Our first point of interest is the indigenous community of San Juan Chamula, a Tzotzil ethnic group with pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican roots, which practices self-government through an internal normative system based on customary laws, recognized within the framework of legal pluralism.

This place is divided into three neighborhoods: “San Juan Bautista,” “San Pedro,” and “San Sebastián,” each with its own cemetery presided over by gigantic crosses representing Chul Metic (Mother God) and Chul Totic (Father God).

Here is the seat of authority and the temple of San Juan Bautista, a place where religious syncretism reaches its highest expression by blending Christian tradition with pre-Hispanic roots.

Continuing with our tour, we move to the indigenous town of Zinacantán, a Tzotzil town known as "Place of Bats." The sacred spaces in Zinacantán are marked by the hills surrounding the small valley and the complex formed by the Church of San Lorenzo. This church is of colonial origin but was remodeled in the early 20th century. Also found are the chapels of Esquipulas and San Sebastián.
The population of Zinacantán mostly belongs to the Tzotzil ethnicity, and flower cultivation is one of the main productive activities of its inhabitants.

Recommendations:

• Wear comfortable walking shoes and denim pants.
• A hat or cap will also be useful for sun protection.
• Please note that PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT ALLOWED inside the church of San Juan Chamula.
• For your purchases, be sure to bring cash, as there are no ATMs available.