Warm lands of the coast

By: Mirna Anabella Barrios Figueroa

Archaeological studies indicate that the population centers of greatest importance in this Department were established in Bocacosta and Costa Grande, the present-day territorial locations of the estates of El Baúl, Pantaleón, Aguná and the Tarros, as well as in the present-day municipality of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa. These urban nuclei are evidence of the great commercial and cultural activity of the region in the pre-Classic period. Due to the density of the forestlands, the populations extended in a dispersed form from Tapachula, Mexico to El Salvador.

The ceremonial and government centers were located in the lower elevation zones and were surrounded by groups of population. At the time of the conquest, the territory was inhabited by pipiles groups that extended along the length of the coast fringe under the domination of the k'iche'. According to the annals of the Kaqchikeles, they dominated from Panatacat to the pipil territory of the maritime coast. At the beginning of the colonial history, at the start of the 16th century, its inhabitants were converted by the Franciscans. They founded settlements in Cotzumalguapa and Alotec. The first of these places was under the protection of Santiago and the second under the protection of San Juan. Later the missionaries helped the colonists establish ranches in fertile lands and they cultivated añil. They death of many of the indigens led to the belief that they were caused by this crop but it was later established that the cause of the deaths was malaria and other tropical diseases. The population was especially concentrated in Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Siquinalá and Escuintla. Also concentrated in this region were many black and mulatto inhabitants in such locations as La Gomera and Escuintla. In the middle of the 19th century, modifications were brought about in the economic system. The Port of San José opened on January 1, 1853. Its function was basic in international trade, especially in the coffee industry. Through these changes came a strong reception to tourism on the Guatemalan southern coast. The commercial and tourist movements generated the port's development to become one of the most important geographic points of this era. In the 1980's the Port of Quetzal opened on the Pacific Ocean coast and was among the most modern port constructions of that era.

Escuintla is known as the city of the palms.

The heart of the Costa Grande

By: Luis Villar Anleu

The fertile and warm Costa Grande is fully populated by trees of conacaste, ceiba and palo blanco. Escuintla is traveled by many running waters that flow to the Pacific Ocean. The notable rivers include the Nahualate, that separates Escuintla from Suchitepéquez, the Madre Vieja, Coyolate, Acomé, Achiguate, María Linda and various tributaries of these such as the Mico and Naranjo rivers.

The slope of the Volcanic Chain is humid and the moist clouds provide a constant rain. There are populations of micos monkeys, ocelots and weasels on the ground and an infinite number of insects within this environment.

The seashore is composed of gray sands and the residues of volcanic materials from the north. Here was established the world of the ocean coast with its tidepools, fiddler crabs, pelicans, seagulls, beach scavengers, robust stolon grasses and refreshing breezes.

Among its attractions are the Guacalate River Canyon, the Pacaya Volcano, the caverns and waterfalls of San Pedro Mártir, and Palín Canyon as well as the ocean beaches that are very level. There are many beaches and spas some with restaurants, hotels and services. Some good examples are El Semillero, Tecojate, San José Rama Blanca, La Empalizada, Rancho Carrillo, El Paredón Buena Vista, La Barrita, Chulamar, Likín, Lindamar and El Conacaste.

Artisanry

By: Francisco Rodríguez Rouanet and Aracely Esquivel

The municipalities of this Department can't provide much popular artisanry due to its ranching and agricultural economic base. Notwithstanding, they create clothing of cotton fabrics and leather products such as saddles and riding gear. They also produce tiles and bricks, which can been seen in the rural areas of the Department, for the construction of homes and roofs. It is also important to mention that they create toys, furniture and other articles of wood.

They do not create popular artisanry in the municipalities of Escuintla, Guanagazapa, La Democracia, La Gomera, Nueva Concepción, Masagua, San Vicente Pacaya, Siquinalá and Tiquisate but rather in the smaller communities. In Iztapa they make fishing nets, harpoons, fishing hooks and mallets. In Palin they elaborate traditional fabrics of cotton, toy marimbas, wood furniture, soap and tanned leathers. They create fishing gear and canoes in San José and in the outlying areas of the beaches, toys and jewelry are made from shells. In Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa they create candles of various designs and goods embroidered in gold and silver thread.

Traditions

By: Carlos René García Escobar

Cofradías and Hermandades

Palín is the municipality that maintains its cofradías with deep grounding in their customs and where the poqomames exercised great influence over the population in the face of great cultural opposition from the ladinos.

In the remainder of the municipalities hermandades and social committees exist that take charge of the patron festivities.

Dances

Because of its proximity to Sacatepéquez, Escuintla was one of the first regions influenced by the culture of the city of Santiago de Guatemala, in the Valle de Almolonga, in the 15th century. Because of this influence, the popular colonial theater that had taken root in the region was converted into an array of dramatic representations such as the praises to the Virgen de Concepción and traditional dances.

Palín and Siquinalá have created centers of dance of some importance where they persist to practice the dances, that were best recorded during colonial times, such as the Moros y Cristianos.