Book

The change of officials in Tzo?ontahal, Chiapas, Mexico: an analysis of behavior as a key to structure and process

Tulane University • New Orleans, La. • Published In 1970 • Pages: 209-248

By: Nash, June C..

Abstract

This monograph presents a structural-functional analysis of Tzeltal behavior based on the rituals of the inauguration of civil and religious officials in the community of Tzo?ontahal, Chiapas, Mexico. Much of the data presented in this work was gathered by the author by questioning of natives using both an informal, unstructured technique of interviewing and that of formal analysis. Data gathering was supplemented by the author's observations of the inauguration ceremonies. The first section of the monograph is concerned with the cognitive frame of reference in terms of roles and relationships in the civil and religious hierarchies. Section 2 deals with the actual behavior of civil and religious officials during the inauguration ceremonies. In section 3, divergences between data elicited from informants and that obtained by the author's observations are analyzed in terms of their significance for social change. The final section and the three appendices, summarize the data in terms of structural-functional explanations and their implications for social change.

HRAF PubDate

1995

Region

Middle America and the Caribbean

Sub Region

Maya Area

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle

Field Date

1964

Coverage Date

not specified

Coverage Place

municipio of Amatenango del Valle, community of Tzo?ontahal, Chiapas, Mexico

Notes

[by] June C. Nash

Bibliography: p. 247-248

LCSH

Tzeltal Indians