Observation of the work of the authorities
Seguimiento al trabajo de las autoridades
Object Details
| Subject Language | Tzeltal |
| Language PID(s) | ailla:119666 |
| Title [Indigenous] | Snujpinel yatel jchakeletik Kotolte |
| Language of Indigenous Title | tzh |
| Title | Observation of the work of the authorities |
| Language Community | Tseltal de Tenejapa |
| Country(ies) | Mexico |
| Place Created | Tenejapa, Chiapas |
| Date Created | 2008-06-26 |
| Description [Indigenous] | |
| Language of Indigenous Description | |
| Description | The petition for blessing at the middle of the year, in Tseltal called "snujp'inel ya'tel jch'akeletik" ("observation of the work of the authorities") is a seris of prayers that are performed every half-year (in December and in June-July) at the behest of the traditional authorities (guarantors). On this occasion is documented this ceremony on three consecutive Thursdays in the community of Kotolte', Tenejapa, in the house of the first guarantor, between the months of June and July of 2008. In each session, three different prayers are performed: first a prayer that is said at midnight called "smakel tawaletik" ("block envy"), said by three female prayers who are called "jme'tik ts'unojeletik". The second prayer, is said at about two in the morning, performed by the men "Ts'unojeletik" along with their wives. This is a prayer called "sk'anel kuxlejal" (asking for wellbeing), a petition for the wellbeing of the guarantors, the prayers the musicians, the 'ilmexa' (suppliers of pilico and garlic) and the volunteers who participate throughout the process. The third and last prayer, is called "muk'ul kuxlejal" and is said at about 11 in the morning (a general prayer for the whole town) performed only by the gentlemen ts'unojeletik. During the process one can observe the role that is played by the woman in these activities. Before the third prayer of each session or ceremony the 'il mexa' begin to prepare the pilico and the garlic for the guarantors just like the Ts’unojeletik and other people who come by to receive them as offerings. Now that they have received the pilico four times, at about 11 in the morning they go on to pray about the "muk'ul kuxlejal". At the end of each activity, they eat and finally they dance. Within the ceremony they drink pox, chicha (traditional beverages made from cane) and smoke. In the recording also an interview takes place with the lady Ts’unojel (prayerwoman) who talks about some questions concerning the history and the function of the official roles that they play. Also, we find a conversation between María Gómez Sánchez (project member) and Sr. Miguel Pérez Jiménez about the activity that is going on and another with Sr. Manuel Girón Gómez who talks about the chicha. We also observe the delivery of poles (batons of command) to the prayers and the women preparing the traditional food called 'juybil mats'. They finish the events dancing and drinking pox. The development of these activities is the same during the three days. |
| Genres | Prayer Instrumental music Ceremony |
| Source Note | 080626_Tenejapa_snujpinel_yatel_jchakeletik_Kotolte |
| References | |
| Contributor(s) Individual / Role | Polian, Gilles (Researcher) Méndez Girón, Juan (Researcher) Cruz, Sandra (Researcher) Sántiz Girón, Antonia (Researcher) |
| Contributor(s) Corporate / Role |
