What are some of the essential components of the Maya culture?
Historically the Mayan culture has been based on respect for the earth and animals, respect for elders, and spirituality. Communities are often very tightly organized, with the elders acting as advisors who set the standards for the individual community. The Zapatistas, in their organizing efforts, pay close attention to these structures in holding discussions and in making decisions. It is actually a very democratic process. The Zapatista communities relate everything they do to the fight for freedom and equality, a concept we call Zapatismo. If you visit a service here at the church in Oventic you will see that the mass combines Catholicism with liberation philosophy, a view that the salvation of the soul is very much connected to improving life here on earth. Q: How is the teacher training at Oventic organized taking into account the Mayan culture? The teachers that are being trained were chosen by each of their communities. Their goal is to combine the system of Zapatismo (the stru
