The Zapatistas are a left-wing, former guerrilla military group that emerged in to the public eye in 1994. Much of the group's ideals revolve around defense of indigenous rights in Chiapas and all of Mexico. Among many of their ideologies, the group presented the "Women's Revolutionary Laws" in the mid-90's, including: "Women will be able to occupy positions of leadership in the organization and hold military ranks in the revolutionary armed forces."
In the following photos, women of the Zapatistas gather for their first "encuentro de mujeres que luchan," a gathering for the women of the world hosted by the Zapatista women, in 2018. No men were allowed on the premises during the encuentro.
March 8, 2018 - Zapatista women arrange themselves in to a formation to enter an "encuentro" or meeting, hosted by the Zapatista women but open to all women of the world. The Zapatistas are a notoriously closed-off group, which makes it all the more historic that they opened up a section of one of their territories for the encuentro. The Zapatistas are a left-wing, formerly a guerrilla military group that emerged in to the public eye in 1994. Much of the group's ideals revolve around defense of indigenous rights in Chiapas and all of Mexico. Among many of their ideologies, the group presented the "Women's Revolutionary Laws" in the mid-90's, including: "Women will be able to occupy positions of leadership in the organization and hold military ranks in the revolutionary armed forces." Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 10, 2018 - A sign, as seen from the road driving in to the Caracol, reminding all those who enter who this land belongs to. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 9, 2018 - Comandanta Zenaida, whose age she did not want to disclose but said she was "very young when the revolution began," meaning she is likely in her early to mid-twenties. The Zapatistas are a left-wing, formerly a guerrilla military group that emerged in to the public eye in 1994.Much of the group's ideals revolve around defense of indigenous rights in Chiapas and all of Mexico. Among many of their ideologies, the group presented the "Women's Revolutionary Laws" in the mid-90's, including: "Women will be able to occupy positions of leadership in the organization and hold military ranks in the revolutionary armed forces." Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 13, 2018 - The image of "Mujer Zapatista" appears between an image of a male Zapatista fighter (left) and Emiliano Zapata in Caracol Oventic, Chiapas. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - Young Zapatista from two different Caracoles, Oventic and La Realidad, compete in a fierce game of football (soccer). Many of the young Zapatista women cite playing sports as a favorite pastime. The Zapatista movement emerged in the public eye in 1994, the movement rising up against the Mexican government. Although now they are less an army and more a political movement (though NOT a political party), the group still remains completely autonomous from the Mexican government. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 08, 2018 - Two Zapatista women sit atop a hill in Caracol de Morelia (IV) in Mexico's state of Chiapas. The Zapatistas are a left-wing formerly a guerrilla military group, that emerged in to the public eye in 1994. Much of the group's ideals revolve around defense of indigenous rights in Chiapas and all of Mexico. Among many of their ideologies, the group presented the "Women's Revolutionary Laws" in the mid-90's, including: "Women will be able to occupy positions of leadership in the organization and hold military ranks in the revolutionary armed forces."
March 8, 2018 - The dense jungles and mountains of Chiapas that have become synonymous with the Zapatista movement. The Zapatistas live in autonomous territories throughout the state, outside of any influence from the Mexican government. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - A group of women Zapatistas wait to enter the "Encuentro de Mujeres que Luchan," a meeting for women from all over the world hosted by Zapatista women on their territory. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 10, 2018 - Comandanta Elizabeth, 27, stands for a portrait in Caracol de Morelia (IV). The Zapatistas are a left-wing, formerly a guerrilla military group, that emerged in to the public eye in 1994. Much of the group's ideals revolve around defense of indigenous rights in Chiapas and all of Mexico. Among many of their ideologies, the group presented the "Women's Revolutionary Laws" in the mid-90's, including: "Women will be able to occupy positions of leadership in the organization and hold military ranks in the revolutionary armed forces."
March 10, 2018 - Comandanta Gabriella, 48, stands for a portrait in Caracol de Morelia (IV), Chiapas. For Comandanta Gabriella, one of the hardest parts of her leadership role is communication between other Zapatista communities. Three indigenous languages are spoken amongst the communities, but she says many of the women are now using Spanish as the language of communication between communities. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - A group of young Zapatista prepare to play a game of football (soccer) against a team from another Caracol. Many of the Zapatista women cite playing sports as one of their favorite pastimes. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 9, 2018 - From left: La niña Defensa Zapatista Luisa, 11, Comandanta Zenaida, Comandanta Esmerelda, 35, and Comandanta Lucia, 31. These four women are four of the five Comandantas who wrote the invitation for the "Encuentro de Mujeres que Luchan." For them, they say the event has made them hopeful, hopeful that women from all walks of life can understand each other's struggles and work together to make things better. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - Zapatista women arrange themselves in to a formation to enter an "encuentro" or meeting, hosted by the Zapatista women but open to all women of the world. The Zapatistas are a notoriously closed-off group, which makes it all the more historic that they opened up a section of one of their territories for the encuentro. The Zapatistas are a left-wing, formerly guerrilla military group that emerged in to the public eye in 1994. Much of the group's ideals revolve around defense of indigenous rights in Chiapas and all of Mexico. Among many of their ideologies, the group presented the "Women's Revolutionary Laws" in the mid-90's, including: "Women will be able to occupy positions of leadership in the organization and hold military ranks in the revolutionary armed forces." Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - A young Zapatista girls looks up through a group of women Zapatistas wait to enter the "Encuentro de Mujeres que Luchan," a meeting for women from all over the world hosted by Zapatista women on their territory. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - Young Zapatista from two different Caracoles, Oventic and La Realidad, compete in a fierce game of football (soccer). Many of the young Zapatista women cite playing sports as a favorite pastime. The Zapatistas emerged in the public eye in 1994, the movement rising up against the Mexican government. Although now they are less an army and more a political movement (though not a political party), the group still remains completely autonomous from the Mexican government. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - Zapatista women traverse a small valley in Caracol de Morelia, Chiapas. The Caracol has been opened up for the "Encuentro de Mujeres que Luchan" event, but a certain section has been cordoned off for the Zapatista women that outsiders are not welcome in. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 09, 2018 - Comandanta Elizabeth, 27, in Caracol de Morelia (IV) during the "Encuentro de Mujeres que Luchan" (the meeting of women who fight). The comandanta is one of a slew of female leaders within the Zapatistas power structure--though you would never know it as an outside. The commanders do not wear any special badges or uniforms signaling their ranking. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - Lucy, of Caracol Oventic, stands for a portrait before playing a game of soccer against another Caracol. Last year, the Zapatistas made a proclamation of nonviolence, claiming that today's Mexico is too violent as is--they wanted no part in adding to it. Today, they are moving more in to politics/activism. This photograph was taken at an "Encuentro," or meeting, of the "women of the world," hosted by the women of the Zapatistas. The notoriously secretive group opened up one of their autonomous territories and welcomed women from all over the globe. One of the main activities was sports--Zapatistas and non-Zapatistas alike partook in games of football (soccer) and volleyball throughout the three day meeting. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 10, 2018 - Comandanta Gabriella, 48, stands for a portrait in Caracol de Morelia (IV), Chiapas. As one of the older comandantas, she remembers much of the conflict from the mid-nineties. Last year, the Zapatistas made a proclamation of non-violence--saying that Mexico today is too violent as is, and they want no part in adding to that violence. The group has become more politically-oriented while still maintaining the aura of mystique that they have maintained for the past two decades. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - Two female Zapatistas hold hands as they wait to enter the "Encuentro de Mujeres que Luchan," a meeting for women from all over the world hosted by Zapatista women on their territory. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 10, 2018 - Comandanta Elizabeth, 27, stands for a portrait in Caracol de Morelia (IV). The Zapatistas are a left-wing political, formerly guerrilla military group, that emerged in to the public eye in 1994. Much of the group's ideals revolve around defense of indigenous rights in Chiapas and all of Mexico. Among many of their ideologies, the group presented the "Women's Revolutionary Laws" in the mid-90's, including: "Women will be able to occupy positions of leadership in the organization and hold military ranks in the revolutionary armed forces."
March 8, 2018 - A baby cries while a group of women Zapatistas wait to enter the "Encuentro de Mujeres que Luchan," a meeting for women from all over the world hosted by Zapatista women on their territory. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - Zapatista mothers lead their young sons as they line up to enter the "Encuentro de Mujeres que Luchan," a meeting for women from all over the world hosted by Zapatista women on their territory. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 9, 2018 - Comandanta Esmerelda, 35, stands for a portrait in Caracol de Morelia, Chiapas. Comandanta Esmerelda has been a Zapatista since she was ten years old, and has quietly risen through the ranks to become a commander. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal
March 8, 2018 - Women of the Zapatistas begin to enter the "Encuentro de Mujeres que Luchan," a meeting for women from all over the world hosted by Zapatista women on their territory. Image by Meghan Dhaliwal