Chiapas: Homeland of the Ch'ol Maya

             The Ch’ol have lived in a variety of landscapes, although they are mainly lowlanders in Chiapas, Mexico. The climate is humid and it rains often.  The highlands have valleys with fertile land and large lakes so it is perfect for growing corn, beans, and squash.  In the lowland they harvest salt and cacao and mine limestone, which is essential to the construction of their cities and sculptures. Poultry and pigs are also now economically important.  It seems that the majority of the Ch’ol people are modernizing, as their clothing is now semi-traditional and they worship a combination or Roman Catholic and their traditional pagan syncretism.  Saints are worshipped in the church, while mountains, caves, the Sun, and the Moon are also worshipped.

            I find the history and culture of the Maya so interesting, all the mysterious pyramids must be related to their ancient worshipping of the moon and stars.  I wish there were more records of the ancient Mayan culture.

This is a picture of a modern Ch'ol Mayan wearing semi-traditional clothing













(Alejandro Linares Garcia)