Chiapas, Mexico
Chiapas is the southern most of Mexico’s 31 states. It shares a long border with Guatemala. Of the 68 distinct indigenous languages recognized in modern Mexico, four large groups speak Mayan languages: Yucatec Maya, Tzeltal Maya, Tzotzil Maya, and Ch’ol. Of those, all but Yucatec are located in Chiapas.
San Christóbal de las Casas is a colonial city in the highlands of Chiapas. Photo by Kathleen Vitale, 2011.
Many distinct indigenous groups are represented in the state of Chiapas. This young girl is a Tzotzil-speaking Maya from Chamul, in the highlands of Chiapas. Photo by Janet Schwartz, 2011.
Beautiful embroidery is practiced by many groups in Chiapas. This Huixtán young woman proudly shows off her embroidery skills. Photo by Janet Schwartz, 2011.
Rosa Perez Mendoza is a Tzotzil-speaking Maya living in the city of Venustiano Carranza. She weaves a traditional Tzotzil pattern, but uses colored commercial thread. Photo by Janet Schwartz, 2010.
Casa Na Bolom (House of the Jaguar), located in San Christóbal de las Casas, has a collection of textiles woven in the early 20th century. This man’s shirt, made with hand-spun thread, is known as a “Carranza shirt” because it is the style worn by Tzotzil-speaking Maya in Venustiano Carranza. Photo by Kathleen Vitale, 2010