Special

SUZUKI Kunihiro

Silent Cry

State of Chiapas, Mexico

In January 1, 1994, before dawn, the intruders wearing a black mask over their faces with some arms in their hands showed up abruptly in six of the towns and villages in Chiapas, Mexico. They occupied the city halls and radio stations, and in some regions, had battles with the government force. They were the Indihenan group by the name of Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional (EZLN) who had risen in arms. The communique pronounced by an assistant commander Marcos demanded for the basis of livelihood such as electricity services, educational issues, and local medical services. Moreover, they declared adverse volition distinctly by evaluating the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which was expected to be effective on that day as a "Death sentence for aborigines." They also demanded to revise a presidential election system in the peace conference. They did not keep their matters only to themselves, but regarded them as a problem for entire Mexican people. Thus, the local demand went so far as to the worldwide matter though the denial of NAFTA. Contrary to the government's speculation, their conduct had become well known throughout the world via internet and had been sympathized and supported by quite a few people. However, the demand was not accepted, and they were forced to withdraw deep into the forest due to the all-out attack by the government force. EZLN and the government are now in the agglutinative condition. The government are still putting pressure on them with military power and other means. In the summer of 1998, I visited the villages of their base, La Realidad Tninidad and Oventic. The appearance of those villages gave an impression of the ordinary Indihenan villages that can be found anywhere in Mexico where the time passes slowly. Men work in farms from early in the morning while women do some washing by the river and housework at home. These seemingly peaceful circumstances had completely changed once I started taking photographs. When the camera is set toward the villagers, they all covered their faces with a bandanna. It is a great risk for them to reveal their real faces. I wonder if the day will come when the villagers can take off their bandanna and show up in front of camera with real faces.