One of the things one can encounter quite often on the streets of Antigua Guatemala is smiles. Big smiles are everywhere around La Antigua Guatemala, especially so around Parque Central where it seems people are always having a good time. When was the last time you smiled and laughed so hard? Perhaps a new trip … Read more
Here’s what I see with these group of Maya women: Have lunch Continue weaving Gossip a little Tell jokes Make some calls What about you, what do you do while it rains?
Of course, these ladies who prepare us our daily tortillas can not be missing in series about the real Guatemala. Here we see the clay comal ready to receive the uncooked corn cakes to be turned into fresh tortillas. Below the comal we can see the fire and the ever present pot with frijoles (black … Read more
For this Día de la Raza I would like to share with you the faces of cultural resistance in a world where identity is being erased or blended, in Guatemala the Maya women represent a strong hold for the Guatemalan identity. In Guatemala and many countries in Latin America, October 12 is a national holiday … Read more
Often I have spoken about the wonderful feel-good vibe that one can sense and be part of while hanging out at the Plaza Mayor, better known simply as Parque Central, Antigua Guatemala’s Main Plaza, but I have not been able to seize the sensation in a picture until today. If you have been to Parque … Read more
One of the things about cultural and traditional events that I like is that they are people magnets and it’s so much easier to photograph people and situations that normally are difficult. Take as an example the photograph of the Guatemalan lady and the Maya man from yesterday or the ease with I was able … Read more
As I said before, it is impossible to think of 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
In the previous century it was common knowledge that one could identify the provenance of the Maya people in Guatemala, especially women, by their corte and güipil (skirt and blouse). Pan-Mayanism is changing this at such fast rate that in just a few years the Maya will mix and match textiles from all over the … Read more
As a graphic designer I can never ceased to be amazed by the intricate brightly colored textiles worn by the Maya people of Guatemala. I hope to always remain astonished. 😉
Most Guatemalan families are very tight with several generations often interacting with one another. It is not unusual to have at least three generations living under the same roof. That’s what I call family ties. 😉 Have you had to opportunity to notice this or to live with a Guatemalan family?