Guatemala, a country in Central America, is known for its rich cultural diversity. In this article, we will get acquainted with the culture of its people. Stay with Saad News.
Guatemala (in Spanish: Guatemala), officially the Republic of Guatemala, is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean Sea and Honduras to the east, and El Salvador to the southeast. The area of Guatemala is 108,889 square kilometers, which is slightly larger than the province of Isfahan. Guatemala is a country rich in culture, influenced by the Maya civilization and Spain. The population consists of two main groups: descendants of the Maya civilization and mestizos of Spanish-Portuguese origin. The former primarily reside in rural and impoverished areas, while the latter live in urban centers. Despite this, there is a significant cultural gap between them.
Language and Religion of the People of Guatemala
The culture of the people of Guatemala is influenced by the Maya civilization and the neighboring countries, particularly Spain. Guatemala has a population of approximately 16.5 million people, with 60.1% being mestizos and 39.3% being descendants of the Maya civilization. The official language of the country is Spanish, but the Maya people speak various Maya languages. The majority of Guatemalans follow Christianity, with most being Catholics and a smaller portion following Protestantism.
Superstitions in Guatemala
In this country, people gather around volcanoes to pray, a practice carried out in specific locations on particular days. People have a strong connection to nature and often choose remote volcanoes for their prayers. Additionally, certain beaches in Guatemala are believed to have healing waters. However, doctors consider this a superstition and do not recognize any scientific basis for healing from these waters. Superstition is still prominent among older groups living together in the country. People visit tall mountains to shout, believing that shouting keeps illness and disease away. There are specific tourist sites associated with spirits, and superstitions have grown significantly in Guatemala. The "spirit region" is restricted, only accessible to pure individuals, and as a tourist, access is limited.
Customs and Traditions of Guatemala
Traditional Clothing: Due to the large number of linguistic groups, each group has its own traditional attire with unique symbols, styles, and colors. However, yellow, pink, red, and blue are common. Clothing is a prominent feature of the culture. For example, in the Altos Cuchumatanes mountains, women wear red skirts with yellow stripes, a scarf, and a traditional square blouse called "huipil." In the Maya-origin town of Santiago, women wear purple headbands with embroidered patterns of flowers and animals. The diversity of traditional clothing increases as you travel across Guatemala.
Cuisine: Cooking holds great importance in the culture of Guatemala, and women see cooking as part of their identity, often wearing specific clothes for cooking. Spices are a significant aspect of their culture, and their spicy dishes are considered one of the best cultural traits of Guatemala. In Guatemala, women who don't like cooking may find it difficult to marry!
Etiquette: Guatemalans greet each other by making eye contact, nodding, and smiling. Foreigners living in Guatemala must learn these customs, such as knowing that when invited to a Guatemalan home, the host will not escort you out or accompany you to the door.
Trade: In Guatemala, no one can engage in trade with others unless it follows certain cultural norms. Guatemalans are known for their kindness and ideal lifestyle based on love.
Music and Performing Arts: The art of music in Guatemala has over five centuries of history. Various musical groups perform at different ceremonies. For example, brass and percussion groups play at religious ceremonies during Easter and Lent, a 40-day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The inhabitants of the Caribbean coastal region have their own distinct musical traditions. The Maya descendants also have unique musical traditions that differ from the rest of the country. Cumbia music, which originates in Colombia, is also very popular in Guatemala. Although Guatemalan music has changed over the years, the Marimba is still the most common traditional instrument.
Gender Equality: Guatemala's traditional society is very patriarchal, with clearly defined gender roles. Men are the primary breadwinners and are responsible for outdoor work and providing for the family, while women stay at home and care for the children. However, in recent decades, with the promotion of education and awareness, women have increasingly engaged in outdoor activities, though they still receive fewer rights and benefits than men.
Greetings: The greetings of Guatemalans differ based on ethnicity and even age groups. For example, children greet others by bowing their heads and bending their elbows in respect, while adults greet each other by conversing and showing interest in each other's well-being.
Final Thoughts
The culture of Guatemala is influenced by its ethnic diversity. It is a Central American country where approximately 21 languages and dialects are spoken. About 60% of the population is indigenous, making Guatemala the country with the largest indigenous population in the world. Its rich biodiversity is due to its mountainous geography, and its ecological thinking, inherited from their Maya ancestors, has made Guatemala one of the top 25 countries with the most diverse tree species. Many indigenous communities in Guatemala have a harmonious relationship with nature. In their belief system, all living things, including plants and animals, are considered "children of the earth." Therefore, care and respect for "Mother Earth" is a central principle in Guatemalan thought.
