San Juan Chamula, in Chiapas, Mexico
San Juan Chamula, is the largest Mayan village in Chiapas with a population of over 40,000. Religion is a mixture of Catholism and pre-Columbian Tzotzil beliefs. They believe that the world is a cube supported by 4 columns and surrounded by water. Gods are considered as inhabitants of the moon, heaven, and mother sun. The main tourist attraction is the church, St. John the Baptist which has been disconnected from the Diocese because residents don't want priests in the church. Inside you'll find a thick layer of incense in the air, fresh pine needles on the floor, and hundreds of lit candles stuck to the floor. Catholic Saint statues are in glass cases along the sides of the church covered with blinking Christmas lights. Residents are scattered about kneeling on the floor, chanting and performing various types of rituals.
Yes, their skirts and vests are made of black wool. We arrived shortly after the release of the movie "King Kong," and initially thought it was some sort of publicity stunt...but this way predates the movie!
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