Abstract
The Mams of Chiapas's Sierra Madre are an isolated Mayan people frequently overlooked by anthropologists and public policy makers. Despite their isolation, however, and, more particularly, despite the fact that they live outside of the so-called zone of conflict, along with all Chiapas's indigenous people they have undergone important changes as a result of the Zapatista uprising. By examining the experience of three different sectors of the Mam population, perhaps we can understand some of the complexity of these changes as well as the kinds of considerations that have led Mams to accept or reject the Zapatistas' proposals. According to the Mexican Census, in 1990 some 8,725 people in Chiapas identified themselves as Mam.' The vast majority live between 4,000 and 12,500 feet above sea level in scattered settlements outside municipal population centers in an area residents call the Sierra of Motozintla (the southernmost part of the Sierra Madre). In addition, some 300 live in the Las Margaritas area of the Lacand6n jungle,2 having emigrated there in the early 1970s.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call