Tzeltal people

Tzeltal
Winik Atel

Pantelhó Carnival, Chiapas
Total population
589,144 (2020)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Mexico ( Chiapas)
Languages
Tzeltal and Spanish
Religion
Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic and Pentecostal), and traditional religion.
Related ethnic groups
Indigenous people of the Americas

The Tzeltal are a Maya people of Mexico, who chiefly reside in the highlands of Chiapas. The Tzeltal language belongs to the Tzeltalan subgroup of Maya languages. Most Tzeltals live in communities in about twenty municipalities, under a Mexican system called “usos y costumbres” which seeks to respect traditional indigenous authority and politics. Women are often seen wearing traditional huipils and black skirts, but men generally do not wear traditional attire. Tzeltal religion syncretically integrates traits from Catholic and native belief systems. Shamanism and traditional medicine is still practiced. Many make a living through agriculture and/or handcrafts, mostly textiles; and many also work for wages to meet family needs.