Zinacantán facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zinacantán
Town and Municipality
Partial view of Zinacantan with San Lorenzo (Saint Lawrence) Church in the middle
Zinacantán Location in Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Chiapas
Area
• Total	66.2 sq mi (171.4 km2)
Elevation	8,392 ft (2,558 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	36,489
• Density	551.38/sq mi (212.89/km2)
Climate	Cfb

San Lorenzo Zinacantán is a town and municipality in the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico. Most of its people (99.1%) are Tzotzil Maya. They are an indigenous group with their own language and culture.

The name Zinacantán means "land of bats" in the Nahuatl language. The local people speak Tzotzil, which is a Mayan language. In Tzotzil, they call their home "Sots'leb" which also means "land of bats."

Population of Zinacantán

As of 2010, the whole municipality of Zinacantán had a population of 36,489 people.

The main town of Zinacantán had 3,876 residents in 2010. The municipality also has 60 other smaller communities. The largest of these were Navenchauc (4,625 people) and Pasté (3,771 people). Other important rural communities included Nachig (3,260), Apas (1,485), Patosil (1,452), Zequentic (1,201), and Bochojbo Alto (1,088).

Traditional Celebrations and Roles

Many special events and feasts are held throughout the year in Zinacantán. Men lead these celebrations. They are called martomoetik, alperesetik, and moletik. These names come from Spanish words.

• The martomoetik and alperesetik pay for what is needed for the feasts.
• These roles are part of a system where you move up in rank. You must be a martomo first, then an alperes, before becoming a mole.
• Only men can hold these roles, but their wives play important parts too.
• Each year, 12 martomoetik, 12 alperesetik, and 6 moletik are chosen.
• Each person is in charge of a different feast, but they help with all celebrations.

Textiles worn at the festival of San Lorenzo

The martomoetik buy things for inside the church, like flowers and candles. The alperesetik buy and prepare things for outside the church, such as fireworks. The moletik are elders who teach the younger leaders how to organize the feasts. Three days before a main feast, they start celebrating by wearing traditional clothes and doing special rituals.

The main saint of Zinacantán is San Lorenzo (Saint Lawrence). His feast day is August 10th and lasts for four days. Another important feast is for Saint Sebastian, from January 18th to 22nd. Other smaller feasts include Epiphany (January 6th), Our Lady of the Candelaria (February 2nd), and Christmas.

History of Zinacantán

Long ago, even before the Spanish arrived, Zinacantán had strong connections with the Aztecs in central Mexico. People from Zinacantán traded their goods, like salt, with Aztec traders. Later, they also traded cacao, tobacco, and coffee.

In the 1500s, Dominican Friars were the first missionaries to come to Zinacantán. They built a wooden chapel to start their work. They left in the 1600s but returned in 1976.

A big change for Zinacantán was when the Pan American Highway was built. This road made it much easier for people to travel and move goods. It helped the people of Zinacantán become more successful, especially with trading things like corn and flowers.

Geography and Climate

Climate in Zinacantán

Zinacantán has a subtropical highland climate. This means it has mild temperatures all year round, similar to a cool summer climate.

See also

In Spanish: Zinacantán para niños