Featured Long 5 station cross necklace with many dangling crosses

Any thoughts as to the age and origin of this necklace? I've done some searching but don't know what words to use, so have searched variations of ethnic and tribal cross necklace and have not seen anything similar. The metal is not silver, the clasp is an obvious replacement. The crosses all have stamped designs on one side.
Very curious about this. I like it.
Thanks for any thoughts.

 

I've seen the chain & the balls attributed to Guatemala (and sometimes to Mexico).. but I don't know about the crosses.. It is a really interesting necklace !

 

I did not think of South/Central America. I will look into it. Thanks!

 

It appears to be a necklace of 5 Yalalag crosses. Google says this type of cross with the 3 dangling crosses is made in Yalalag, Mexico. I haven't seen any necklaces with 5 stations like mine, but I think I've got the right part of the world. Thanks Xristina.

 

You are most welcome!

 

@Taupou
Saw your post on the basket thread. Hope you are feeling better soon and that your recovery goes well.
Since you are looking for distraction I thought I would see if you have any thoughts about age and origin of this necklace. Thanks in advance!

 

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Yalalag cross

 

It is a chachal necklace, from Mayan Guatemala.
Chachal necklaces were originally very long wedding necklaces, to be put around both the bride and groom. The links were exactly like on your chachal, a large bead and decorated link sequence.
In colonial times the chachal became a 'milagros' necklace. Milagro means miracle. The chachal necklace was given as a wedding present, and 'milagros', religious and other symbolic pendants, would be attached for every special event, like the birth of a child.

Cross symbolism, also multiple crosses, was native to the Mayas just like it was to the Zapotecs of Yalalag, hence the similarity with the pre-Christian Yalalag cross.
Yalalag crosses have one main cross and smaller pendants, usually small crosses, dangling from the main cross. So strictly speaking the crosses on your chachal are not Yalalag crosses, and given the region where the necklace originated they can't be Yalalag (Yalaltec/Zapotec), but Maya.

An old style chachal, this one isn't mine, but I have one just like it:


https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/479633429049834369/

Yalalag cross:

 

AJ, thank you so much for the detailed information you have provided. I am off to look at more chachal necklaces. The breadth of your knowledge is quite something and we are lucky to have you here.
It's nice to see you back feeling well enough to post. Please don't overdue, and again I appreciate the time and energy behind your thorough response.

 

You're welcome, drg.

I tend to get carried away, but do take care to take more breaks, and reply to fewer threads. So far, so good.