“The Tzotzil Maya Cultural System and Efforts to Maintain it in the 21 st Century”

1. “The Tzotzil Maya Cultural System and Efforts to Maintain it in the 21st Century” M.A.Thesis project of Chamula, Chiapas by M. Leonor Monreal, CSUF Anthropology Department

2. “The Tzotzil Maya Cultural System and Efforts to Maintain it in the 21st Century” • What is the Tzotzil cultural system? • How has this group maintained their cultural system over the years? How has the culture changed? • In 21st century, how is globalization affecting this cultural group? • Is their survival important to humanity? Why? How is it relevant to cultural anthropology?

3. Theoretical Frameworks • Cultural Materialism- The locus of causality in sociocultural systems. Where the main force of sociocultural selection emanates, from the infrastructure, the structure or the superstructure of the system (Harris,1999:1411). The goal is to study a cultural group as a system where one aspect affects the other, interrelated, independently and dependently of one another. • Cultural Relativism- ethnography as a “text” having various interpretations, depending on the cultural lenses of the receiver. Life as a constant interplay, a kind of conflict between symbols that define reality and guide behavior “hard surfaces of reality” which in turn exert strong pressure on social practices and the symbols expressed (Geertz, 1973:142). • Globalization theories- spread of capitalism in Latin America, “integrating the world economy in key production and investment sites” (Nash, 2002:3)

4. Methods Employed • Ethnographic Fieldwork • Participant observations • Key informants • Interviews • Library and foreign research • Mexican governmental records (Census, SEP, Agriculture department, etc.) • Scientific journals and works by anthropologists experts in this field (such as Vogt, Coe, Nash,Gossen, etc.) • Newspaper and internet sources (mainly for EZLN info.)

5. Chapter 1 Historical Overview of the Tzotzil • Origins of Maya civilization: a historical perspective. • Anthropological investigations of ethnic Maya groups. • The Tzotzil of Chamula.

6. Chapter 2 “Indigenismo” Identity Formation of the Tzotzil in Modern Mexico • Indigenous Nucleus in the Highlands of Chiapas • The Indigenous Community • Indigenous Cultural Identity “Indigenismo” • Social customs • Medical practices “curanderia”

7. Chapter 3 Chamula Tzotzil Social Relations • Social Relations in Chamula • Living Arrangements in Chamula • Gender Relations: Courtship & Marriage • Chamula Youth & Elderly • The Cargo System of Chamula Tzotzil.

8. Chapter 4 Chamula Economy & the Effects of Globalization • Socio-economic Practices in Chamula • Chamula Land Tenure • Tzotzil and their Sheep • The Market and Touristic Economy

9. Chapter 5 Religious Elements in Chamula • Religion, identity and rebellion • Current components of catholic pluralism • Non-catholic religious groups • The expelled Tzotzil of San Juan Chamula

10. Religious Beliefs

11. Chapter 6 Rebellion & Uprising in Chiapas • National Liberation Zapatista Army (EZLN) • Who are the Zapatistas? • The Insurgent Figure • The Role of Women

12. Chapter 7 The Education Structure & Influence of the Zapatista Movement • Overview of the Elementary Educational System in Chiapas. • Educational System of Indigenous People in the Highlands of Chiapas. • Social Challenges • Academic Challenges • Importance of Bilingualism and Biculturalism.

13. Conclusion • Importance of the Four-Field Approach • Study Group “Chamulas” • Globalization influences • Challenge to anthropologists

14. References Cited • Geertz, Clifford • 1973 The interpretation of cultures. New York: Basic Books. • Harris, Marvin • 1999 Theories of culture in postmodern times.California: AltaMira Press • Nash, June • 2001 Mayan Visions, the quest for autonomy in an age of globalization. New York: Routledge

15. To be continued…