The valleys of abundance

Within the boundaries of San Luis Jilotepeque and San Pedro Pinula exists an archaeological site known as El Durazno. This is one of the numerous pre-Hispanic settlements of the region and an example of the intense commercial relations that were realized by the inhabitants. The Conquest in this region was achieved by cavalry captain Pedro Núñez de Mendoza, lieutenant Alonso Larios, captain Hernando de Chávez and captain Pedro Amalín.

The present-day jalapaneco population formed part of the Hispanic territory of Chiquimula de la Sierra. The indigens population had a permanent defense of its territory, which was always desired by the pardos (mulattos) and the ladinos. The valleys of Jalapa were always valued as centers of political power by the Kingdom of Guatemala. When the city of Santiago de Guatemala was destroyed by the earthquakes of Santa Marta in 1773, one of the places looked at and considered for the new capital was Jalapa. However, the scarcity of water was the reason the new capital was built in its present-day site. With the coming of Independence, Jalapa formed part of District Four, Department of Chiquimula, with its own municipal network of Jalapa, Sansaria (the present-day Sansare), Santo Domingo, (San Pedro) Pinula and (San Luis) Jilotepeque.

In 1839 Jalapa was included into the jurisdiction of Mita, but only nine years later formed a separate district. The emancipation did not last long because in 1857, Jalapa, Santo Domingo and Pinula, became part of Jutiapa. Finally, the Department of Jalapa was established in the times of the Reforma Liberal, on the 24th of November 1873.

The mountains of Jalapa

By: Luis Villar Anleu

Volcán Alzatate in San Carlos Alzatate.

All of the lands of Jalapa are part of the Volcanic Chain. This Department has a powerful mountain range, the most prominent in the east. Its elevations, flanks, canyons, and projections cover a large part of the local land surface and are the details that give the image of Jalapa as a rough and wild land.

One characteristic of this department is the modest number of streams. It is true that there are few but those that exist are beautiful and extremely important. As part of the Continental Divide, Jalapa has some drainages which flow to the Río Motagua and then on to the Caribbean Sea such as the Jalapa-El Tambor, San José and Colina. Flowing to the Pacific Ocean are the Ríos Blanco, Grande and Chaparrón, that originate in the Río Ostúa.

The particular conditions of the climate of the mountain peak of La Soledad have allowed the establishment of a high mountain eco-system. At times, they are high chaparral eco-systems where the robust heather creates a thousand wonders and at other times, they are conifer forests that protect species, in danger of extinction, such as the nubícola pine. Its predominant vegetation is composed of acacia, bramble, mimosa, yaje, aripine, brasil, and palojiote with mountain oak in the areas of relatively higher elevation. Ferocious mosquitoes, stinging nettles and woodcocks are another part of this extraordinary world.

Some of its natural attractions are Laguna del Hoyo, La Soledad Mountain, Los Chorros Spa, Agua Tibia Spa, Laguneta Los Achiotes, and Jumay Volcano.

Artisanry

By: Francisco Rodríguez Rouanet

One of the crafts most recognized is the glazed ceramics from San Luis Jilotepeque. These ceramics are found, although in lesser quantity, in another municipality called San Carlos Alzatate. Their designs are so unique that they have no equal in the Republic. Working in red clay they fashion plates, pitchers, jars and armadillos painted in black and white spirals and designs from nature.

Grinding stones

In the communities of San Luis Jilotepeque and San Carlos Alzatate they create grinding stones.
The cheese of Jalapa

The milk products of this region are famous. The hard cheese and butter have a delicate flavor. Livestock has been part of the life of Jalapa since the colonial period and they have become famous for their tanneries and their products of tanned leather and sheepskin.

Other example of Jalapeña artisanry are the palm hats and rope, especially the lassos and nets of maguey which have been displaced by similar products made of polyethylene on an industrial scale. Still other crafts in the region are cotton blankets, candle making, fireworks, saddlery and musical instruments.

Traditions

By: Carlos René García Escobar

Cofradías and Hermandades

The cofradías are, more than before, patrimony of the indigen villages, and there are fears that remain of the ancient rituals which have been combined with the Catholic Church. The hermandades, for their part, have been a substitute for people more closely connected to the parishes of their homes.

Dances

One of the traditional dances that we find in Jalapa is called the Tope de Mayo, also known as either the La Danza de la Flores or the El Palo de Cintas.

This dance is of a romantic tone, practiced by the mestizos of the east and northeast and in Baja Verapaz.

It basically consists of the evolution of a group of dancers around a pole hung with ribbons in vivid colors. The dancers first braid and then unbraid the ribbon through their dance.

The dance has original text that consists of verses in which the dancers manifest their love for spring. This custom is converted into a proprietary agrarian dance of the good harvest. Its music features traditional songs interpreted by a single marimba and three performers and is practiced by men and women each carrying the name of a flower.