Zinacatan Chiapas is a very mystical place. It was constructed in the valley surrounded by the Scared Mountains where rests the La Totilme iletik or mothers and fathers, ancestral protective Gods of the Chanul de Los Zinacatecos, the animal with which they share their souls.
Zinacatan is a community of indigenous Tsotsil, 12 kms from San Cristobal de las Casas, in the highlads of Chiapas. There the men dedicate their time to cultivating flowers and the women weave colorful shawls, ponchos or Jorongos, waistbands on looms tied to trees that connect them to the heavens,earth, the air and the Gods of the innerworld.
The people of Zinacatan tell the story of the Church of San Sabastian that stands at the entrance to the Village, that was not constructed by human hands but by entities known as Vakoxmen. They say that the fog that is present here in this time lasted three days, you could not see your hand in front of your eyes further than 1 inch away. During this time they heard noises and murmuring and when the fog lifted there stood the church as it is today.
Years later there was an earthquake that cracked on of the walls the villagers got together to construct a retaining wall so the church would not be destroyed, but there was another earthquake that destroyed the wall built by humans and left the origingal wall build by the Gods standing and withou signs of any fissures from earlier quake.
Zinacatan is a community of indigenous Tsotsil, 12 kms from San Cristobal de las Casas, in the highlads of Chiapas. There the men dedicate their time to cultivating flowers and the women weave colorful shawls, ponchos or Jorongos, waistbands on looms tied to trees that connect them to the heavens,earth, the air and the Gods of the innerworld.
The people of Zinacatan tell the story of the Church of San Sabastian that stands at the entrance to the Village, that was not constructed by human hands but by entities known as Vakoxmen. They say that the fog that is present here in this time lasted three days, you could not see your hand in front of your eyes further than 1 inch away. During this time they heard noises and murmuring and when the fog lifted there stood the church as it is today.
Years later there was an earthquake that cracked on of the walls the villagers got together to construct a retaining wall so the church would not be destroyed, but there was another earthquake that destroyed the wall built by humans and left the origingal wall build by the Gods standing and withou signs of any fissures from earlier quake.
History says that the word Zinacatan has it's origin in Nahuatl, supposedly given by the Mexicas (Aztec comerciantes that traveled that region bringing back such things as demanded by Moctezuma) and they named the region Tzincantlan that means "The Place of the Bats".
According to Fray Tomas de la Torre, una de los Dominican missionaries that arrived in chiapas in 1545, The diety and the Patron of the Zinactaecos was a rock in the form of a bat found by the ancestors before there was a sun above the earth. It was treated as a God, hence the name.
Zinacatan like other communities in the highlands of Chiapas choose to conserver to this day their indigenious identity that is manifest in theri dress,language,vision of the universe,traditions and conservation of social institutions, economics, culture and politics as their indeginous identity.
According to Fray Tomas de la Torre, una de los Dominican missionaries that arrived in chiapas in 1545, The diety and the Patron of the Zinactaecos was a rock in the form of a bat found by the ancestors before there was a sun above the earth. It was treated as a God, hence the name.
Zinacatan like other communities in the highlands of Chiapas choose to conserver to this day their indigenious identity that is manifest in theri dress,language,vision of the universe,traditions and conservation of social institutions, economics, culture and politics as their indeginous identity.
Above:
Weaving jorongos.
Street Musicians
Church service
Above and right:
Indigenous homes and vendor selling River Snails
Weaving jorongos.
Street Musicians
Church service
Above and right:
Indigenous homes and vendor selling River Snails
ZINACATAN CHIAPAS
Zinacatan Homes
AGUA AZUL
This protected area is known throughout the world for its blue waters. The rivers Otulun, Shumulija and Tulija help form this spectacular sight. The waters ard forced throught the shallow canyon and erode the rock in their path carrying along with them the disolving calcium and manganese and deposit it further down stream on the rocks in form of travertine and this gives the illusion of blue to the water, hence the name " Agua Azul " , blue water. The area is hot and humid with rainfall all year with a median temperature of 25°C. During the rain the watersare a muddy brown. The river is a seemingly never ending chain of cascades of white water crashing into the blue turqouise pools, an simply amazing sights to see, a must see when visiting Chiapas, it is a short drive from the arcaeological zone of Palenque, Chiapas.
This region of Chiapas is inhabited by the ethnic groups, Choles thet live in the municipalities of Tila, Tumbalá, Sabanilla, Salto de Agua and Palenque.
MISOL JÁ
This Beautiful Waterfall surropunded by dense, lush green tropical jungle of Water Palms, Caoba trees is approximately 30 mts. in height and forms a large pool of crystal blue water where it is possible with caution to take a refreshing swim.
One claim to fame of this amazing location is it is the location of the 1980's movie " Predator ".
There are Rustic Cabins on the site if you wish to spend time here.
One claim to fame of this amazing location is it is the location of the 1980's movie " Predator ".
There are Rustic Cabins on the site if you wish to spend time here.
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SAN CRISTOBAL de LAS CASAS
San Cristobal de las Casas is located in the central region in the state of Chiapas, 85 km (53 mi) east of Tuxtla Gutierrez, the state capital. The climate is temperate and humid, with rainfall in the summer and an average year-round temperature of 15º C (59º F).
In this city, which has one of Mexico’s most beautiful urban designs, you can discover impressive religious edifices like the Cathedral or the Templo de Santo Domingo. These buildings were restored using a combination of profuse baroque-style details and local architectural elements, which perpetuate the cultural heritage of ethnic groups that live in the surrounding areas, such as the Tzotziles, Tzeltales and the Lacandons. During your stay, you’ll also see exotic collections of crafts, objects of everyday use and pre-Hispanic pieces housed in anthropological and philanthropic institutions such as the Museo Na Bolom or the Centro Cultural de los Altos de Chiapas. In the city’s environs, you can experience a magical atmosphere in towns like San Juan Chamula, which hosts one of the most colorful and celebrated carnivals in the state. From there, you can head out to areas that are rich in natural resources, such as the Huitepec Ecological Reserve, where you can truly appreciate the region’s biodiversity. There’s also El Arcotete, where you can go rappelling down 30-meter (100-foot) cliffs.
In this city, which has one of Mexico’s most beautiful urban designs, you can discover impressive religious edifices like the Cathedral or the Templo de Santo Domingo. These buildings were restored using a combination of profuse baroque-style details and local architectural elements, which perpetuate the cultural heritage of ethnic groups that live in the surrounding areas, such as the Tzotziles, Tzeltales and the Lacandons. During your stay, you’ll also see exotic collections of crafts, objects of everyday use and pre-Hispanic pieces housed in anthropological and philanthropic institutions such as the Museo Na Bolom or the Centro Cultural de los Altos de Chiapas. In the city’s environs, you can experience a magical atmosphere in towns like San Juan Chamula, which hosts one of the most colorful and celebrated carnivals in the state. From there, you can head out to areas that are rich in natural resources, such as the Huitepec Ecological Reserve, where you can truly appreciate the region’s biodiversity. There’s also El Arcotete, where you can go rappelling down 30-meter (100-foot) cliffs.
The Temple of Inscriptions Palenque, Chiapas
The dominating structure is the impressive pyramid at the site entrance is the Temple of the Inscriptions, named for the hieroglyphics found inside. These hieroglyphic panels described the family tree of King Pakal, and are now in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico, D.F. The Tomb of Pakal in Mexico City's museum. .Photo: George Taylor In 1952, the tomb of King Pakal was discovered deep within the temple. The crypt is open to the public.
The crypt is accessed by a descending stone staircase, the entrance of which had been carefully hidden by the builders. The Temple of the Inscriptions seems to be the only temple in Mexico built specifically as a tomb. The archaeologist who made the important discovery, Alberto Ruz Lhuller, is buried opposite the temple.
The crypt is accessed by a descending stone staircase, the entrance of which had been carefully hidden by the builders. The Temple of the Inscriptions seems to be the only temple in Mexico built specifically as a tomb. The archaeologist who made the important discovery, Alberto Ruz Lhuller, is buried opposite the temple.
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Sarcophaegus
MARKETS OF CHIAPAS
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One of the best ways to learn about and understand other worlds is to visit their market place. There you can observe the way the economy is run , the customs, supersticions such as wearing a head covering to ward off evil spirits, the diverse items for sale from sea snails to elegantly embroidered blouse and Mantas.
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