Tzotzil Maya leadership

Tzotzil Maya leadership traditionally centers on community elders and local authorities who maintain balance with spiritual and cultural customs. Leadership is often relational, based on respect, consensus, and social roles rather than formal titles or election. Community decisions involve collective input, with respected figures guiding rather than commanding. This system emphasizes shared responsibility, harmony with tradition, and spiritual legitimacy, reflecting deep ties to their language, land, and cosmology. While influenced by modern changes, Tzotzil leadership remains rooted in maintaining social cohesion and honoring ancestral practices.