SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS

Colonial city considered by various visitors as one of the

most romantic cities in the world.
Recognized as a Magic Town whose wealth lies in
its ethnic diversity and colonial tradition, which shows its
architectural treasures in various buildings from the
16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
NAME (MEANING)
The city was founded by Diego de Mazariegos thanks to the
alliance he achieved with the Mexicas, Tlaxcalans and Mayans, in
1528. (he was a conquistador; his statue was torn down in 1992).
Before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, the current valley
of San Cristóbal was known as “Hueyzacatlán” which in Nahuatl
means “next to the big grass”. later it had several names, until
November 4, 1943, when it was finally assigned the name of San
Cristóbal de Las Casas, in honor of Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas,
who were known as the universal protector of all the Indians of the
new continent, becoming the first precursor of human rights in
the New World.
LOCATION
San Cristóbal de las casas, is located in the
southeastern region of Mexico, situated in the
region known as the "Altos de Chiapas" (Chiapas’
Highlands), bordered to the north by the
municipalities of Chamula and Tenejapa, and to the
east by Huixtán. Separated by 80 kilometers from
Tuxtla Gutiérrez the capital city of Chiapas.
LANGUAGE (PREDOMINANT)
The official language in San Cristobal de las
Casas is Spanish, Beside that language, two
indigenous languages, Tseltal and Tsotsil are
spoken by 44% of the population.
The Tzotziles (tsotsiles) and the Tzeltales
(tseltales) are two related Mayan groups that,
along with the Tojolabales, inhabit the region of
the Altos de Chiapas and some municipalities in
the adjacent área.
TYPICAL CLOTHING

La vestimenta tradicional de los hombres es pantalón corto y camisa de

tela tejida que les llega a las rodillas, faja roja de algodón, huaraches de
cuero y sombrero de paja que generalmente decoran con listones de colores
que le cuelgan alrededor.
Las Mujeres por su parte, usan blusas o huipiles tejidos, color blanco y
bordados alrededor del cuello, falda larga color azul oscuro, chal o rebozos,
que también utilizan para cargar a sus hijos. También es común verlas con
vestidos completos con muchos volados y cintas de colores.

El atuendo tradicional del hombre tzeltal es camisa y calzón corto de

manta, sombrero de palma adornado con cintas de colores y sandalias
de cuero.

Por su parte, la indumentaria de la mujer consta de huipil de manta suelto y

largo, tejido por ellas mismas en telar de cintura y bordados multicolores,
falda negra ancha de manta gruesa o de lana y faja de lana. Su cabello largo
es peinado con dos trenzas amarradas con cintas de colores.

Tanto el huipil como la falda son hechos por ellas mismas utilizando manta
gruesa o de lana.

Su cabellera siempre larga, luce dos trenzas amarradas a ambos lados con
cintas de colores

The huipil (or hipil) is an ornate dress or blouse that was often used for religious
ceremonies. It represented distinction of ethnicities and social positions in the pre-
Columbian period.

The colors used for the details and embroidery had different meanings. For
example, the cardinal points were represented as follows: north was white, east
was red, west was black, and south was yellow.

In addition to the cardinal points, these colors were also used to represent stages
of life, emotions, foods, among other aspects.

White symbolized hope , red was linked to power and blood, black with death,
yellow with corn and green with royalty.
The arrival of the Spanish to the American continent made the manufacturing of
this product evolve, introducing brocade and the pedal loom as techniques.

Other materials such as wool and silk also began to be worked on, since the
indigenous people used cotton and henequen.

Although its origins are in southern Mexico, this garment is currently used
throughout Mexico, and each indigenous community has its own style or design.

The poncho is a typical garment from South America; However,

this artisanal product can also be found in the Chiapas market
made by local artisans.
The poncho is a thick cloth cut into a rectangular shape with a hole in the middle
where the head is inserted.

Although at first glance it looks like an aesthetic accessory, it is used as a coat and
also allows free movement of the arms.

The origin of the poncho is still doubtful: some say that it was part of the usual
clothing of the indigenous people and was later adopted by the Creoles. Others
relate these garments to ecclesiastical clothing and other ancient tunics.

ACTIVITIES PEOPLE CAN DO THERE

REFERENCES