The Spaniards, including the clergy of the Catholic Church, seized the communal lands, which the Maya had used from time immemorial for their traditional slash - and - burn method of farming.
Hispaanlased, kelle hulgas oli ka katoliku kiriku vaimulikke, vallutasid maajade kogukondlikud maad, mida need olid kasutanud juba igiammustest aegadest saadik aleviljeluseks.