Abstract

ANNEREAU-FULBERT, Marie  and  FLORES HERNANDEZ, A. Rafael. Zinacantán and Conflict over Land: A Protracted Issue. Rev. pueblos front. digit. [online]. 2023, vol.18, e638.  Epub Mar 24, 2023. ISSN 1870-4115.  https://doi.org/10.22201/cimsur.18704115e.2023.v18.638.

A letter written in 1848 by Patricio Correa, the priest of Zinacantán, preserved in the Diocesan Archive of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, refers to a protracted agrarian conflict between Chiapa and Zinacantán that dates back to the 16th century and was still relevant during the 19th century for the peoples of Chiapas. This paper analyzes the territorial configuration of Zinacantán and how it relates to agrarian legislation: the letter presents an historical experience of protracted negotiation between the indigenous peoples of Chiapas and the broader political forces in the legal field, which enabled them to defend their interests and strengthen their territorial strategies, while illustrating the depth of the peoples’ historical memory regarding land.

Keywords : Chiapas; judicial processes; territorial configuration; land issues; 19th century.