Travel to Chichicastenango, Guatemala with Bob & Wilma

Chichicastenango is a small Mayan village in the mountains of west central Guatemala.

One of the largest indigenous markets in Guatemala is held on Chichi's plaza every Thursday and Sunday with the one on Sunday being the largest and best.

Along with food, both prepared and unprepared, many of the Mayan needs plus some tourist trinkets are sold here. This market was an institution even before the Conquest.

Chichicastenango is also a strong active center of pre-Christian and indigenous worship. The steps of Santo Tomas Church, as the steps of the ancient pyramids, is a gathering place on Sundays for these ceremonies.

As in much of Central America, Christian and pagan worship blend together and it is not uncommon for the shrine of a Christain saint to be carried down the steps of the church in procession accompanied by fireworks, incense and masked dancers.

On a hill just on the edge of the village, is the shrine to the Mayan earth god -- huyup takah. It is a very active shrine with burning candles and offerings before the stone "earth god".

Though Chichicastenango is a little out of the way and not real easy to get to, it is worth a visit as it gives one a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Mayan people and their world. 

Photos and story courtesy of Bob & Wilma.

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