Lake Atitlan
23 May 2011 | Antigua
Perfect
This picture is of a native woman creating headgear by wrapping cloth first around her braid then on top of her head and then around and around.
We got this demonstration in a small village on Lake Aititlan over the past weekend. We found out that these indigenous people in Guatemala are actually the majority (60%) They are directly descended from the Mayan people. The mixed race people Spanish and Indian are about 25% but currently have the power. We spent Sunday in the market but we did not enjoy it very much because of the amount of people and the aggressive "marketing" techniques. Everyone we talked had a dead mother or father or husband, and all needed money for school and food. Then as we walked away (and they said bad things to us in a local language, they snapped open their cellular phone and made a call!
Much like the Native people we saw in Creel (Mexico) there was very little smiling (except of course the children who are adorable).
We also visited a Mayan ceremony where they blend their origianl ancient religion with Catholicism. They used candles, incense burners, and other religious symbols. Many if not most seem to stradle the world of Christianity and pagan worship.
We continue to study both the language and the culture and are extremely grateful for the opportunity to live with a local family with local teachers and able to ask questions about their country.