Guatemala
Jesus Gonzalez
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why go to Guatemala?
Guatemala:religion
Roman Catholic
In Guatemala 50–60% of the population is Roman Catholicism in Guatemala, 40% Protestant and 1% follow the indigenous Mayan faith.Catholicism was the official religion during the colonial era.
Guatemala:Language
Spanish
They greet each other by saying "hola" meaning hello
Ethnic groups in guatemala
Ladinos and Maya
On the basis of cultural traits, the population is divided into two main ethnic groups—Ladinos and Maya, who make up the vast majority of Indians in Guatemala and form several cultures. The Ladinos comprise those of mixed Hispanic-Maya origin.
Customs and traditions
National Holidays
January 1: New Year's Day
March/April: Easter
May 1: Labor Day
June 30: Army Day
September 15: Independence Day
October 20: Revolution Day
November 1: All Saints Day
December 25: Christmas Day
Dances/Music
The Garifuna people of Afro-Caribbean descent, who are spread thinly on the northeastern Caribbean coast, have their own distinct varieties of popular and folk music. Cumbia, from the Colombian variety, is also very popular. Dozens of Rock bands have emerged in the last two decades, making rock music quite popular among young people.
Food
Many traditional foods in Guatemalan cuisine are based on Maya cuisine and prominently feature corn, chilis and beans as key ingredients. There are also foods that are commonly eaten on certain days of the week. For example, it is a popular custom to eat paches (a kind of tamale made from potatoes) on Thursday.
Economy
- there are many stalls selling fruit, vegetables, flowers
- taxi drivers
- More than 50% of Guatemala's labor force is engaged in agricultural work.
Events of the year
January:
- On January 15, the day of the Black Christ is celebrated in Esquipulas.
- Lent processions begin throughout Guatemala.
- Lent and Easter week processions throughout Guatemala. The largest processions occur in Antigua Guatemala on Good Friday.
- On May 2 and 3, the Day of the Cross is celebrated with colorful traditions at Lake Amatitlan near Guatemala City.
- On May 9, Jueves de Ascencion is celebrated with traditional music, flowers and prayers at Lake Chicabal. Please be very respectful of this tradition and do not take photographs.
- July 25 is the town fair in Antigua Guatemala, with parades, music and other festivities.
- July 27, the annual Rabin Ajau beauty pageant is held in Coban, with traditional dances and ancestral music.
- On August 15, Guatemala City celebrates the day of our Lady of the Asuncion; also several other towns, like Solola, where you can see the brotherhood of the Lady of Asuncion passing through the streets of the town with their icon on their way to the church.
- September 15 is the national holiday to commemorate Guatemala's Independence from Spain in 1821; the largest holiday fair is in Quetzaltenango.
- On October 20, Guatemala celebrates the overthrow of Dictator Jorge Ubico in 1944 and the beginning of 10 years of revolution government known as the "10 years of Spring".
- All Saints Day, celebrated on November 1, is celebrated with unique traditions throughout Guatemala; giant kites are flown in the cemeteries of Santiago Sacatepequez and Sumpango near Antigua Guatemala. Many Guatemalans feast on a traditional food known as fiambre. An unusual horse race is held in Todos Santos Cuchumatan.
- The town fair in Chichicastenango culminates on December 21 with traditional dances and music.
- Nativity scenes, hand-made Christmas ornaments and small procession known as "posadas" create a joyful atmosphere during December.