The Current State of the Alcaldia Indigena in Light of its Historical Precedents: The Case of Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán
Luke, Jonathan; Hawkins, John
Abstract
The military governments of 1957-1986 abolished all forms of Maya self-government. With the signing of the Peace Accords in 1994, Mayan communities have resurrected the institution of the Alcaldia Indigena, drawing on cultural memory to reorganize it. The new manifestation builds on the Alcaldia’s former structure and seeks to connect internationally to the indigenous rights movement and gain official recognition as a local government body representing indigenous interests.
This paper has been withdrawn.