This, Roberto explained, was because the people of Chamula believe that when someone gets really sick, it is because evil spirits have taken a piece or pieces of the person’s soul.

Il faut dire qu’à quelques kilomètres de la ville de San Cristobal, la communauté de San Juan … On the flip side, the Spanish Catholics found it easier to establish control if they allowed the natives to weave their beliefs into the Catholic traditions.

Another interesting, and mysterious, site in San Juan Chamula is the cemetery, which doesn’t have a single headstone, but rather a sea of multicoloured crosses, some of which are said to pre-date the arrival of the Spanish.Walking in to the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista is an assault on the senses, filled as it is with incense, thousands of burning candles, glistening mirrors (which supposedly help the soul return to its rightful body during prayer) and worshipping locals making offerings, singing and, in some cases, necking Coca Cola or the local alcoholic spirit, If you’re thinking of visiting San Juan Chamula, and considering popping into the church to check out the scenes described above, consider that you have to pay to enter, and under no circumstances is photography within the church allowed.

San Juan Chamula. The most important takeaway from this article is While it is a Catholic church, it has no priest. The Chamulas are Tzotzil people, who are descendants of the Mayas. Welcome to the wonderful world of San Juan Chamula, one of Mexico’s most fiercely insular Tzotzil towns, just 10 kilometres (6 miles) from the popular San Cristóbal de las Casas.It boasts a wariness towards outsiders, a penchant for fascinating ancient rituals and beliefs blended with modern Christianity – and one of the strangest churches in Mexico. Although there is a direct route from San Cristobal is just the gateway to some of the most marvelous natural scenery in Mexico.

San Juan Chamula. To retrieve the missing soul, the shaman offer the life of the chicken in exchange for the stolen pieces. San Juan Chamula is a town of about 3,000 located about 7 miles outside of San Cristobal de las Casas. Here’s an example. The people of Chamula ran their priest out of town some years ago; however, they do allow the priest to return on certain occasions to baptize the children, but he is forced to leave again immediately after the ceremony.

You’ll see crocodiles and other creatures. It’s 30 curvy miles and is doable as a day trip.You can reach the following as day trips from San Cristobal, but I don’t recommend it. Our excellent guide Roberto had informed us on the way to the town that its people were some of the last Mayans to succumb to the Spanish and that their rebellious spirit has lived on since as the town currently holds a special … San Juan Chamula does not allow any outside police forces or military forces, and has its own law enforcement groups and policies separate from the rest of … Suddenly, a black-wrapped apparition noiselessly appeared before me. It was bitterly cold. Or maybe it’s better to keep the […] During the forty or so minutes we were in the church, I believe I saw at least three chickens killed in offering.Surrounding the groups of shaman and patients are the statues of the saints to whom the people of Chamula pray.

This also applies when taking photos of locals, who remain wary of outsiders – absolutely do not take their photos without first asking for permission. Any size rig can fit here.San Nicolas–on the east side of town.

As of 2010, the municipality had a total population of 76,941. Sumidero is NE of San Cristobal on the road to Tuxtla Gutiérrez. One comes from San Cristobal once a week to say Mass. Photography is very strictly prohibited inside of their church. One of the key dates to keep in mind is five days before Ash Wednesday each year, when the Aside from some baffling but intriguing beliefs, other notable legacies San Juan Chamula has left the world include the rock group Vayijel, The church of San Juan Chamula | © Rob Young/Flickr There’s a clearly marked terminal with colectivos going to San Juan Chamula for $18 pesos. Au marché de San Juan Chamula, les hommes ont d’épaisses tuniques de laine écrue ou noire sur des habits vivement colorés ; les femmes aussi portent des robes de laine noire à longs poils. Local people pray directly to their saint of choice rather than to them as intercessors to relay their message to God. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in June. With an altitude of 7,218 feet (2,200 meters) nights are bone-chilling. Too few tourists get to this part of Mexico. There are alcoves with statues of Catholic saints.

Artists flock to it. Wandering the deserted cobblestone streets, I was cold, sore, more asleep than awake. Some areas of Ireland and France still have it. Also handicapped accessible hotel. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in San Juan Chamula, Mexico on Tripadvisor: See 660 traveler reviews and photos of San Juan Chamula tourist attractions. `From the Gulf of Mexico route, keep on MEX-180D until just past the turn for Coatzacoalcos. No visit to San Cristobal would be complete without a stop at San Juan Chamula. We have reviews of the best places to see in San Juan Chamula. Their highly traditional Mayan belief system means they consider that a piece of their soul is stolen with every snap.Just as ancient beliefs and an adherence to tradition reign supreme in San Juan Chamula, so do a great communal sense of revelry and love of a good fiesta. Those who scare easily may be better staying away.