Zapatista Uprising Art by Indigenous Artists in Chiapas Mexico

by Lorena Cassady

Title

Zapatista Uprising Art by Indigenous Artists in Chiapas Mexico

Artist

Lorena Cassady

Medium

Painting

Description

Canvas purchased from indigenous artists in the City of San Cristobal, Chiapas in 2006
On 1 January 1994, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), an indigenous armed organisation, declared war on the Mexican Government, demanding “work, land, housing, food, health, education, independence, liberty, democracy, justice and peace.”1 This article explains the factors that encouraged this indigenous uprising that began in Chiapas, Mexico, by highlighting the interests and demands of the indigenous peoples as well as the Mexican Government’s responses to them. It also addresses the limitations that both sides experienced during the struggle, and the consequences and effects this conflict brought to indigenous rights and living standards in Mexico. The EZLN movement was an eye-opening event for both the Mexican government and the non-indigenous population to realise the alarming situation of indigenous people in Chiapas. The indigenous conflict in Chiapas not only provoked a domestic awareness of indigenous rights, recognition and self-determination, but also an international awakening on these issues.
--Australian Institute of International Affairs

Uploaded

September 21st, 2022

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags