Cultural

Perpetuating A Nation

by

Perpetuating A Nation

Guatemalans are not known for being patriotic; yeah Guatever! Nevertheless, we do have our patriotic symbols like El Quetzal, our most beautiful emerald resplendent bird; La Monja Blanca, Guatemala’s national flower— a rare orchid; La Ceiba, Guatemala’s national tree —majestic and sacred portals to Xibalbá; The Flag; The National Anthem; Los Próceres, the leaders of Guatemala’s Independence Movement; The Marimba, et cetera. A long list which I will tackle in the next few days.

Today’s photos captured a quiet moment while some kids were reading and learning about the patriotic symbols that perpetuate a nation. Below, there is a video that shows the opposite: frenetic youthful energy. For better or worse, that’s how we are, conservative and peaceful most of the time, but we know how to party when the opportunity arises.

Our very dear friend Kara from HablaGuate published this wonderful video of a marching band rehearsal in preparation for the Independence Day festivities on September 14 and 15. Interesting enough I drove by almost at the same time, but I was rushing and I could not stop to take a picture or record a video clip. I am so glad Kara did. This is what she wrote on her personal blog NewMaya in her post Dancing to the music before Independence Day.

Read more

Guatemalan Geek Squad Lunch

by

One important goal for me is to show you what’s possible and what’s available in La Antigua Guatemala. Believe it or not, some people believe we still live on tree canopies. Often in Twitter or Facebook, Guatemalans make a point of “no vivimos en árboles” or “por eso piensan que vivimos en árboles” (That’s why … Read more

The Tortillas Transactions

by

We are men of maize! It is impossible to think the Guatemalan, Mexican and Mesoamerican diet without maize. From the Popul Vuh (Popol Wuj in modern spelling), the Mayan equivalent of the Bible, which states that humans were literally created from maize, to Miguel Ángel Asturias‘ novel Hombres de maíz (Men of Maize) which is … Read more

Have Balls, Will Travel

by

Guatemala is a colorful country. What, you don’t believe me? Well, Why not check out the Color palette category to see for yourself. For instance, take a look at today’s photo, these are hand-painted traditional Guatemalan balls and they are so colorful. In other parts of the world they are happy with a one or … Read more

Photographing The Maya Hieroglyphic Writing

by

This room with samples of the Maya hieroglyphic writing from San Bartolo (I believe) was another treat available at Casa Herrera on the 2012: Myths and Facts about The Mayan Prophecy conference. Taking this photo was extremely difficult because of the poor lighting conditions and because lots of people were taking photos of the hieroglyphics … Read more

Theme Day: Wood or Holly Wood

by

As almost every first of the month, AntiguaDailyPhoto is joining the City Daily Photo community in the orchestrated global effort to show you “wood” as a theme day. I opted to show you Maximón effigies made from wood, now holly wood really since Maximón is worshiped by the Maya people of Guatemala. Below, an introduction … Read more

2012: Myths and Facts about The Mayan Prophecy

by

Last Friday night at 7 p.m. AntiguaDailyPhoto guest contributor and professional photographer Arturo Godoy, Kara Andrade from HablaGuate and I attended the conference La verdadera estructura del Calendario Maya, or The True Structure of the Mayan Calendar, given by Mayanist David Stuart. Dr. David Stuart refuted the modern visions of the end of the world … Read more

It’s Refa Time!

by

There are two ‘official’ snack times in Guatemala known as refacción; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I have shown you the morning refacción before, but this is the first time, I believe, I show the afternoon refacción. Refacción, however, is much more than a simple snack time. Refacción is the time … Read more

It’s Atol Time!

by

Like I said before, if there were a Guatemalan National Drink, surely “atol blanco” would be it. Atol blanco is one of the most emblematic drinks of the Guatemalan repertoire. Very few meals or drinks can define or identify a Guatemalan like atol blanco (white atole). Atol blanco is the drink that defines your ‘guatemalanness’; … Read more

Digital life in Antigua Guatemala

by

Guatemala is a country of contrasts and extremes. Here is todo o nada (all or nothing); there’s no medium. Here you find exceptional beauty within palpable danger. So, no wonder one can find a whole bunch of smart phones with 3G and 2G Internet connectivity among a group of friends enjoying a get-together after an … Read more

Typical Guatemalan Fireworks Stand

by

What characteristics or traits can be extrapolated from a culture by looking at a simple kiosk? I’ll start and then you share with the rest us your thoughts. First, I see that Guatemala is country of pyromaniacs who love color and loud sounds. Guatemalans do not like gray, easy, mellow, avoid-the-extremes-sort of lifestyles. Everything is … Read more

Guatemalan Nacimientos or Nativity Scenes

by

During early December, in Guatemala people begin putting up their Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes); a tradition that was brought to Guatemala by Santo Hermano Pedro de Betancourt and then spread to the rest of American continent. One important aspect of nacimientos is that baby Jesus is missing from the scene since his actual birthday is on … Read more