Chiapas - Chiapas

Chiapas is a state of Mexico located in the Yucatán peninsula

To know

Geographical notes

Chiapas is located in the extreme south of Mexico, bordering on Guatemala to the southeast, the Pacific to the southwest, and the states of Oaxaca, Veracruz, Tabasco is Yucatán from west to north-east and facing south-east on the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

Its main rivers are: Chiapas, Rio Grijalva, Rio Jatate, Lacantura, Rio Uspamapa and Rio Usumacinta.

Background

When thecentral America achieved independence from Mexico in 1823, the western part of Chiapas was annexed to it. Most of today's Chiapas was incorporated following the breakup of the Federation of Central America in 1842 and the rest was taken over by Guatemala in the early 1880s.

Chiapas remained one of the Mexican states least affected by the changes. The descendants of the Spaniards continued to exercise their dominion over the native Indians. The natives still suffer a situation of terrible oppression by the descendants of the Spaniards.

In November 1983 the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) was formed and on January 1, 1994 the levantamiento (insurrection).

There were other fundamental stages in the Zapatista struggle: the birth of the Aguascalientes (indigenous territorial administrations), which later became Caracoles, and the "March for the dignity of peoples" in 2001, in which movements from all over the world participated and which went as far as to the central government of Mexico, in the capital.

Spoken languages

Most people talk Spanish but this does not apply to indigenous people who speak only Tzotzil or Tzeltal. Only a handful of people speak English and they generally do it badly.

Culture and traditions

The natives are about one third. The Indian population is divided into seven ethnic groups, inheritors of the culture of the pre-Columbian Mayan populations. The population of Chiapas is descended from the Maya.

Illiteracy is extremely widespread. Indigenous people living in urban centers suffer from the racism of mestizos; they can hardly find decent jobs and are often denied basic services, such as health care. The government does not recognize or respect their culture and traditions, which for example are not studied in any state-recognized school.

Suggested readings

• Enrico Martino, The soul of the Indians, EGA Editore, Turin, 1992 ISBN 88-7670-158-3
• Luca D'Ascia, Weaving the voice. Contemporary indigenous literature in Chiapas. Anthology and critical essay, 2009, Aracne
• Salvatore Ingui` "From Chiapas. (Almost a diary)". Narrative Publisher Officine, 2012

Territories and tourist destinations

Urban centers

Other destinations

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  The "Aqua Azul" waterfalls

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  Cascade of the "Christmas tree" on the wall of the Sumidero Canyon

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  Entrance to the Sumidero Canyon

How to get

By plane

The state capital, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, has a small international airport and is also connected by highways (some are toll roads, or cuota) with the surrounding states and col Guatemala.

How to get around

The easiest way to get around cities is probably by private car, taxi or colectivo. Outside the city, the best way to get around is by car, bus (slow and with frequent stops), colectivo (a little more expensive than in the city), taxis, or vans (trucketas).

By car

Taxis outside the city charge very high fares if it's not their regular route, so make sure the driver knows you don't want a special trip (especial viaje).

Sharing taxis is very common, and almost universal outside the cities.

Public transport vans are generally identifiable. Try to find a seat in the cabin, unless you like being pressed against a large group of sweaty locals in the scorching sun. The vans are also quite slow and stop frequently, but they are faster than buses.

By bus

THE colectivos they are small vans and buses that are very cheap and follow specific routes. The main destinations on the route of each colectivo they're listed on the right side of its windshield, though it's sometimes hard to tell if it's really going in the direction you want. Asking the driver is usually the most effective way, but don't expect him to speak languages ​​other than Spanish.

What see

What to do

Volunteering

• Human Rights Observer in Autonomous Zapatista Communities - Contact CAPISE ([email protected]) for short activities (5 days) or for longer periods contact Frayba.
• Sustainable Projects in Mayan Communities - The NGO Natate AC focuses on the following sectors: alternative technologies, waste management, water (capture and filtering), education, reforestation and construction. Volunteer opportunities are available for short and long term service.

Learning

Immerse yourself in Mayan culture to learn about traditions, languages ​​and communities with Instituto Cultural la Casa en el Árbol. You can learn it either Spanish that the Mayan languages, such as Tostsil and Tseltal.

At the table

• Mole - Word Spanish derived from Nahuatl mulli which means "sauce". It is a sauce from Mexican cuisine prepared with different chillies and many other ingredients and spices.

Drinks

• Pozol - Chocolate / corn based drink from Chiapas and surroundings.

Safety

Like every other city and remote place in the world, Chiapas also has its problems, so be careful of your belongings at all times without walking around with jewelry and expensive items in sight. Chiapas is usually a safe state, where the warmth of the people will make you feel at home.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Chiapas
• Commons contains images or other files on Chiapas

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