Acordos de San Andres= Agreement of Peace signed by Mexico and the EZLN.
The agreed upon demilitarization has yet to be implemented.
Acetal = name of village where 45 unarmed indigenous men, women, and children
were murdered by paramilitaries in 1997.
Acción Católica = Cathoic Action organized in Chiapas in the 1960's by Bishop
Samuel Ruiz and the Vatican II.
Together 7000+ indigenous men and women work
with church representitives to organize their communities to
combat economic exploitation,
political oppression, and social discrimination.
alféreces = cargo
holders in Maya communities who organize and finance religious festivals.
apodo = nickname.
Article 27 = portion
of the 1917 Mexican Constitution that guaranteed indigenous land rights.
Repealed in 1992 by President Salinas.
artista = artist.
autonomy = self-rule. Primary demand Zapatistas on behalf of indigenous communities in Chiapas.
autonomous community = "Communities in Resistance"
Reject the Mexican government services and authority in favor of self-governance.
Baak = Ancient Maya name for the Kingdom of Palenque.
borrego = Sheep. Sacred animal to Tzotzil community.
The animal is sheared for wool & never killed.
burro = Donkey. Used in Zapatista doll making to represent povery of the
indigenous rebels.
cacique = a local or regional leader in charge of Federal ejidos (pre-1992).
The abuse of cacique power was widespread.
calabaza = pumpkin whose seeds are ground and used as a primary spice in Tzotzil cooking.
calpullis = Aztec communal property organization (similar to ejidio).
caminar = to walk.
camión = truck.
campo = countryside.
campesinas = country dwellers; farmers.
las canadas = Name for region of Chiapas occupied by the Zapatistas in 1994.
capitanes = cargo holders in Maya communities who dance at feasts.
caracol = 1. snail; snail shell. 2. spiral. 3. name given to Zapatista camps.
Carnival = the most important annual festival in Chamula.
cargos = charges or duties on behalf of the community. Leadership positions within Mayan communities.
One year
responsibility to images and ceremonies of a particular Saint.
carpintero = carpenter.
Central Campesina Independiente = Independent Peasant Central.
Chamula = San Juan Chamula. pop. 2900. elev 2200m.
Tzotzil-Maya municipio near San Christobal de las Casas, Chiapas.
chal = shawl worn by Tzotzil women during ceremonies and special
occasions.
Chiapas = Southern most state in Mexico, borders Guatemala.
Chiapaneca = of or belonging to the Mexican state Chiapas.
chiote = vegetable commonly eaten in the Chiapas highlands.
comadre = representative of an artisans collective.
Comisariado Ejidal = The formal leader of an ejido.
Often a corrupt member of the regional cacique’s political group.
Comitán = City near Guatemala's border.
Occupied by the Zapatistas on January 1, 1994
commandante = commander. Title given to male and female members of the Zapatista Army.
conejo = rabbit.
corbata = tie worn by modern businessman.
Criollo = person of "pure" Spanish descent. Top of the Mexican Caste System.
cruzobs = Mayan rebels in the War of the Castes (1847 - 1849) named after the miraculous cross
which predicted their war against the Spanish.
el jefe = Mexico City, D.F.
The initials for "District Federal" are used as a nickname for the nation's capital.
ejército= army.
ejidatarios =
peasants who worked ejidos.
ejidos =
land that is technically owned by the government, but that peasants have the rights to profit from.
Provided by Article 27.
EZLN = Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional
Zapatista Army of National Liberation
flor = flower. Used by Chamula women to dye wool.
frente = front.
fuerza = 1. strength. 2. force; power.
FZLN = Frente Zapatista de Liberación Nacional
Zapatista Front of Nacional Liberation
grutas = caves
Hach Winik = The True People. Lacandones. Maya people living in
the Lacandón Jungle.
The culture remained untouched by outside influence until the 1950's.
Today they are considered an endangered people.
los hornos = literally the ants nickname for illegal settlers in the 'Zones' of San Christobal.
indígena = indigenous, native.
insergente = insurgent; rebel.
January 1, 1994 = NAFTA date of implementation.
Date EZLN occupies Chiapas. see Autonomedia timeline
Kan Balam = K'inich Kan Balam II
Son of Pakal also a great King of Palenque.
Symbolized by the Jaguar-Serpent.
Kan Hoy Chitam II = brother and successor of Kan Balam.
Captured during war between Tonína and Palenque.
Lacandona = Selva Lacandon.
Endangered
Rainforest of Eastern Chiapas.
Ladinos = mestizos, Spaniards, and indigneous people who paricipate in the cultural and economic domination over the indigenous population.
Lana = wool. Important material to Chamula. Provides warmth in high altitudes.
Made from
sacred borrego by ancient felting and weaving practices.
libertad = liberty. freedom.
La Lucha = The Struggle. In Zapatista terms, La Lucha refers to the indigenous struggle for autonomy and equality.
machete = machete. Multi-functional cutting tool common in Mexico.
maize = Corn. Sacred vegetable that provides sustenance for Chamula.
Majomut Military base = Military encampment right beside the autonomous community of Polho.
manta = cotton cloth woven by indigenous women. The Spaniards forced the native women to weave manta and buy it back from the colonist at inflated cost.
Marcos = name of Zapatista spokesman Subcomandante Marcos.
Acronym for the 5 towns and one military base captured January 1st.
Las Margaritas Altamirano Rancho Nuevo Federal Army Base Comitán
de Domingez Ocosingo San Christobal de las Casas
mascára = mask.
Mascára Rojo = Red Mask. Anti-Zapatista Paramilitary Group.
mayordomos = senior cargo holders.
Mestizo = A person of mixed indigenous and Spanish heritage. The majority of Mexico's population.
milpa = small plots of land granted to the indigenous by the colonist.
Before the native farmers could feed their families,
half of the harvest went to the Spanish patron.
Mochibal = Tzotzil word for wool shawl or chal de lana.
monte = mountain. also montaña.
Montes Azules Bio Reserve = Controversial "Biological Reserve" in the Selva
Lacandón.
Funding
comes from international companies with commercial interest in Chiapas.
mosco = gnat or small fly.
muñeca = doll.
municipio
= indigenous township established by the Spanish during the colonial period
as a means of segregating native people from the Criollo and Mestizo populations.
nación = nation.
NAFTA = North American Free Trade Agreement
Established free-trade zone in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Eliminated tariffs and removed investment barriers within the three nations.
Signed by Carlos Salinas, Bill Clinton, and Brian Mulroney in 1992.
It took effect January 1, 1994.
narcotraficante = drug dealer.
nativo = native; occurring naturally.
Oja de Marco = highland herb used to dye wool the signature Tzotzil black.
Oventik = current headquarters of Zapatista Government. located in the
Highlands of Chiapas.
Pakal = K'inich Hanab Pakal.
Great Ruler of Palenque AD 615 - 683
Symbolized
by the Sun Shield, the Escudo Solar
Also called Guacamaya Blanca or White Macaw.
Palenque = Ancient Maya Kingdom. 100 BC to 900 AD.
Source of Modern Maya Culture and Religion.
pájaro = bird.
pasa montaña = literally pass the mountain. Chiapaneca name
for a ski mask.
Patria = the native land. Mexico.
paz = peace.
petróleo = petroleum.
Plan de Ayala = Written by Emiliano Zapata in 1911 to establish the ejido system in Mexico.
Polho = autonomous community
that offers refuge to the displaced indigenous of Chiapas.
Primero de Enero = First of January.
Slogan referring to the Zapatista Uprising on January 1, 1994
Also, proper name for 1 of 7 "Zones" in San Christobal de las Casas.
principales = Maya village elders. Position archived after fulfilling several
cargos.
Popul Vuh = the "bible" of Maya Mythology. Believed to Originate in Guatemala.
Posh = sacred corn liquor made in Tzotzil communities for use in religious
ceremony.
Rancho Nuevo = Army base near San Christobal de las Casas overtaken by the Zapatistas January 1, 1994.
repartimiento = Spanish colonial system of forced indigenous labor.
rebelde = rebellious
Reforma Agraria = Agrarian Reform in Mexico (1920 - 1992).
Federal distribution of land to peasants who had no land of their own. (see ejidos)
revolucíon = revolution
Salinastroika
= Term that refers to policy of Mexican President Carlos Salinas
Salinas Policy outlawed worker unions, favored union of church and state,
and dismantled
the ejido system.
San Andres = 1. Highland Maya community in the Chiapas Highlands.
Known for magnificent Chiapaneca embroidery
2. Location of first Zapatista caracoles.
3. The Peace Accords signed by Mexico and the EZLN.
The treaty was agreed upon in this location but never implemented.
San Christobal de las Casas = 2nd Largest City in Chiapas.
pop. 113, 000. elev. 2100m.
Established by the Spaniards in 1528.
Seized by the Zapatistas in 1994.
selva = jungle.
serape = traditional clothing worn by Tzotzil men, usually elders and
governors.
Tapachula = Gateway to Guatemala. Southernmost city in Mexico. pop. 18,000.
tierra = land. also terreno.
Tierra y Libertad - Land and Liberty. Revolutionary Slogan of Emiliano Zapata.
Tonína = Ancient Maya city 65 km. south of Palenque.
Declares War on Palenque in 600's .
traje = suit worn by modern businessman.
tratado = Treaty.
trensas = braids. Characteristic hair style worn by Maya women.
tortuga = turtle.
Tuxtla Gutierrez = Capital of Chiapas
pop 425,000. elev 532m.
Tzotzil = Mayan language and culture practiced in San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán.
Ya Basta = Enough! Zapatista slogan that says "Enough"
to exploitation, inscription, inequality, etc . . .
Yerba de Monte = Herb of the Mountain used to dye wool.
Zapata, Emiliano. Born 1879 in Morelos. Murdered in 1919 by Carranza's
army.
Zapata was a leader of Mexican Revolution to overthrow Diaz
1910-1919.
Spoke Náhuatl and was an advocate for Mexico's indigenous.
Wrote the Plan de Ayala establishing the ejido system.
Zinacantán = San Lorenzo Zinacantán .
Tzotzil municipio neighboring Chamula in the Highlands of Chiapas.
Although
the communities share Tzotzil language and some customs,
there
is an intense rivalry between them.
Zinancantan
has Zapatista connections and is occupied by the Mexican military.
zocalo = Community center characteristic of Spanish Colonial cities:
A central
park flanked Church and a Government Building.
Zones = illegal settlements surrounding San Christobal de las Casas.
The inhabitants are indigenous peoples displaced by violence in the highlands.
