Discover the Tzotzil communities in the Mayan village of San Juan Chamula.
The first Mayan village in Chiapas that is definitely worth a visit is San Juan Chamula. This village, located near the peaceful and sublime city of San Cristobal, is the den of the Tzotzile people. Exceptional communities, the Tzotziles stand out for their cultural authenticity. The Tzotziles proudly display the richness of their culture and traditions. You can find out for yourself by visiting the famous Sunday market.
This shimmering and colourful market allows you to admire the beautiful traditional woollen clothes of the Tzotziles. Do not hesitate to buy items as a souvenir of your beautiful meeting with the warm inhabitants of this Mayan village. But, the market of Juan Chamula is not the only attraction of the place. In fact, the church of this Mayan village is a monument whose fame goes beyond the Zapatista territory. This religious building with colonial architecture transports you to the heart of the Mayan beliefs and rituals of the Tzotzile people.
This church is characterized by the absence of pews. The natives kneel on the ground to make their devotions. Visitors can access the interior of the temple. The dark decoration of the church emanates from the smoke of the copal. Candles of different sizes (each representing an invocation) still light the interior.