Friday, November 14, 2025

08 - Zapatistas commons - a comprehensive list of clarification questions - FAQ

 Here’s a comprehensive set of clarification questions to deepen understanding, guide further exploration, or refine a project around the topic “El común Zapatista ante la Tormenta: Encuentro de resistencias y rebeldías en contra del Fascismo”. I’ve organized them into categories for conceptual, linguistic, philosophical, and practical clarity.


1. Conceptual / Thematic Clarifications

  1. What is meant by “el común” in the Zapatista context — purely social, political, economic, or also ontological?

  2. Does “la tormenta” refer strictly to political fascism, or also to environmental, social, or cultural crises?

  3. How does the Zapatista notion of resistance differ from conventional political resistance?

  4. In what ways does rebellion (rebeldía) manifest practically in Zapatista communities?

  5. Are there specific historical events that frame “the storm” in this context?

  6. How is the “common” maintained in tension with modern state or capitalist structures?


2. Linguistic / Translation Clarifications

  1. Should translations into Jach t’aan prioritize literal accuracy, conceptual meaning, or poetic resonance?

  2. Are there Zapatista-specific terms for fascism or authoritarianism, or must they be described metaphorically?

  3. How does the meaning of “resistance” and “rebellion” shift between Spanish, English, and Jach t’aan?

  4. Are there multiple Indigenous languages in Chiapas involved, and if so, which should be prioritized for translation?


3. Philosophical / Cosmological Clarifications

  1. How do Zapatista concepts of “community” relate to Mayan cosmology and ontology?

  2. Is “la tormenta” symbolic of cyclical natural forces, spiritual trials, or only political crises?

  3. How do endurance (k’uxajil) and emergence (ch’úupulil) function as philosophical principles?

  4. How central is the concept of na’atik (heart-understanding) in Zapatista political thought?

  5. Does the Zapatista approach imply that resistance is inseparable from ecological and spiritual balance?


4. Historical / Sociopolitical Clarifications

  1. How have Zapatista practices evolved since 1994 in response to external political pressures?

  2. What role do transnational encounters play in shaping “encuentros de resistencias”?

  3. Are there concrete examples of Zapatista gatherings that exemplify collective rebellion today?

  4. How do local Indigenous traditions influence Zapatista responses to fascism?

  5. How do Zapatistas define success or failure in their resistance strategies?


5. Practical / Application Clarifications

  1. Should this discussion focus on a theoretical framework, or also include practical lessons for other movements?

  2. Is the goal to analyze Zapatista philosophy, produce a poetic interpretation, or create a performance script?

  3. How should metaphors like “storm” or “forest” be presented to non-specialist audiences?

  4. Are there pedagogical strategies to teach these concepts while remaining faithful to Zapatista language and cosmology?

  5. How might this content inform contemporary global movements resisting authoritarianism or ecological collapse?



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