This photo was taken in Chan Santa Cruz which is now called Felipe Carrilo Puerto, it’s one of seven municipals in the state of Quintana Roo. Pedro Guerra took the photo, he was notable for photographing the history of Yucatán. The photo shows the Yucatán Caste Wars which is seen as an important part of Mayan history. The Mayans fought to gain back autonomy of their homeland, seeking justice for the centuries of exploitation and oppression. Because Guerra’s photography seems to memorialize the history of Yucatán I believe he photographed a wide shot of the city because of the prominence it was going to have in the future. From what I have been reading, I believe it is one of the last cities not taken over by the elites in Mexico and in the photo it is a stronghold for the Cruzoob Mayans.
I think the intent of the photo was for descendants of those who were involved in the Caste Wars, that being the oppressor and the oppressed, to see how history shapes the future. With photos of the past it helps in bringing reality to history and aids in visualizing the changes, and seeing what still needs to change. The audience then can use the picture to understand how the Caste War effects the Mayan’s and what it’s role was. The photo also shows the War going on in towns, not on a battlefield. It shows the purpose of the war. To me, the horses show the amount of traveling during the war and the homes tell me that it had to do with taking cities and land.
I connected this photo to when we visited the Hacienda in Mucuyché because of the history. It was a plantation and I don’t think it was during the Caste Wars but it is historical evidence of the oppression of Mayans.
