Book

The two milpas of Chan Kom: scenarios of a Maya village life

State University of New York PressAlbany • Published In 1996 • Pages: xi, 203

By: Re Cruz, Alicia.

Abstract
This book asks what does it mean to be Mayan in the 20th century? It is the story of two political factions in the town of Chan Kom: 'los Antiguos' and 'los de Cancún'. The former live in Chan Kom and maintain a traditional way of life, working their cornfields, or MILPAS, and carrying out the traditional rituals. The latter are migrants living and working in the tourist colossus of Cancún. Los Antiguos claim that they are the true Mayan's because they work in the milpas, however, los de Cancún argue that Cancún is a modern-day milpa and they too are true Mayans. Re Cruz documents the history of this split and how this political and social division has become inscribed in the town's urban ecology. She also reveals the class structure of both factions, in which the elite benefit financially from the political and social division.
Subjects
Internal migration
Cereal agriculture
Settlement patterns
Classes
Political parties
culture
Maya (Yucatán Peninsula)
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Middle America and the Caribbean
Sub Region
Maya Area
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 2000
Field Date
1986-1990
Coverage Date
1880-1990
Coverage Place
Chan Kom, Yucatán and Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Notes
Alicia Re Cruz
Includes bibliographical references (p. 187-198) and index
LCCN
95015375
LCSH
Mayas