Chilón, Chiapas – A young Tseltal community leader is sharing the story of his people’s resistance to development and their enduring connection to the land, as part of a project documenting indigenous life and struggle in Chiapas. The initiative, “Voces de la tierra” (Voices of the Land), highlights the ongoing efforts of the Tseltal people to defend their territories and traditions in the face of external pressures, including infrastructure projects like the Palenque-San Cristóbal highway.
The Tseltal community’s history is marked by land dispossession at the hands of landowners, a struggle that predates and informs the larger Zapatista uprising of 1994. While not all Tseltal communities are directly affiliated with the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), the 1994 uprising served as a pivotal moment, galvanizing indigenous communities across Chiapas to assert their rights and autonomy. The current resistance, according to project organizers, exists both alongside and independently of the Zapatista movement, forging its own path toward self-determination.
Central to Tseltal belief is the figure of the Ajaw, described as guardians of the mountains and the natural world. These spiritual entities are not merely protectors of the land, but also of the Tseltal people’s culture, thought and spirit. Community members offer gifts and prayers to the Ajaw, seeking guidance and maintaining a connection to their ancestral heritage. The Ajaw are considered the “Señor de la Montaña y la Naturaleza” (Lord of the Mountain and Nature), embodying the deep spiritual relationship between the Tseltal and their environment.
The current struggle facing the Tseltal people centers on the construction of the Palenque-San Cristóbal highway, which threatens to disrupt their territories and way of life. The community has formed alliances within the Movimiento en Defensa de la Vida y el Territorio (Modevite), a network dedicated to defending life and territory. These alliances are crucial in amplifying their voices and coordinating resistance efforts.
Chiapas is home to a diverse range of indigenous groups, including the Tseltales, Tsotziles, Choles, Zoques, Lacandones, Tojolabales, Mames, Kanjobales, Jacaltecos, Mocho, Chujy Akatecos, and speakers of around 12 distinct indigenous languages. This linguistic and cultural richness underscores the importance of preserving the unique traditions and territories of each group.
The “Voces de la tierra” project aims to share these stories of resistance, pain, and joy, highlighting the immense communal effort required to sustain Tseltal life. A recent post on social media emphasized the need to embrace the current Tseltal struggle to ensure the continued flourishing of life in their territories.
