"Toj jamal ye". Excessive personal and social openness in the "new living" among the Tzotzil of Chiapas

Abstract

By analyzing the expression tsotsil toj jamal ye' ("too open"), this article discusses how 'modernity', in its many manifestations, seems to have brought an opening in indigenous communities in the highlands of Chiapas, in social relationships and people, all of which is revealed in the language in terms of more and better communication and greater flexibility in emotional expressiveness. Despite the instability generated by this opening, and beyond the traditional meanings and moral burden that this expression holds, young generations - who called ach 'ch'ieletik ("the new growth") or ach' kuxlejaletik ("the new life") - appreciate this opening as a new and positive personal and social quality that can report welfare because it means also "talk to each other" (k'opon baik) in establishing relationships versus traditional order bride (jak'ol).