A vast and rich history

By: Carmen Cigarroa

A region mostly populated by indigens, it depended on the k'iche' kingdom before the arrival of the Spanish, and, therefore, the majority of its population speaks the k'iche' dialect. The first combatant for the conquest of the territory was Pedro de Alvarado, coming from Soconusco in February 1524, who named this area Costa Grande, known at that time as Costa Cuca. During the first years of the Spanish domination it was also known as Suchitepéquez. Following the decree of the Constituyente on October 11, 1825, the settlements were declared territory of the State. It also comprised the present-day Department of Retalhuleu, but on 16 October 1877 it was segregated from Suchitepéquez. The cultivation of cacao (in its golden era), coffee and sugarcane, made it one of the most prosperous Departments of Guatemala. The wealth of the traditions of the people of this region lives in the municipal principality of Mazatenango where there is a mixture of religious and other non-religious forms of expression. The dance of Moros y Cristianos is an example and marks the day of the celebration of San Bartolo each August 24th. Mazatenango is famous for its official holiday of carnival, celebrated for eight days, and has gained national and international recognition. Among the activities are floral contests, student parades, patriotic activities, national and international sports events, presentations of traditional ethnic dance, and religious ceremonies in which pagan elements are intermixed.

Where the mountains fall to the sea

By: Luis Villar Anleu

Suchitepéquez has the classic topographic belts of the Departments that border the Pacific Ocean. They are, from north to south, coastal dunes, foothills and coastal plains. The first two form the northern slope of the Volcanic Chain. The coastal dune is a smooth slope in the middle of the west where a mighty fissure or crevice forms widening between the Chuatroj and Parraxquím mountains of Sololá. It yields to the Zunil and San Pedro volcanoes that are like pilasters flanking the pass of the Nahualate River. The middle of the east is abrupt, originating in the faults of San Pedro and Atitlán. The slope of the foot of the mountains is slight and gradually merges with the coastal plain, devoid of hills or ravines. Near the sea, the lands are very level favoring the formation of pampas.

Rivers, beaches and the sun are the three elements that focus the essence of the natural heritage of this region. Patulul and San Juan Bautista have abundant backwaters, pools and sandy beaches along the course of the Madre Vieja River.

Santa Bárbara, Chicacao and San Miguel Panán have the same features along a long stretch of the Nahualate River. The basin of the Ixtacapa River provides spas to San Pablo Jocopilas, Samayac and San Antonio Suchitepéquez. In San Antonio, they are located over the waters of the Pajoc and Chichoy rivers.

Left: aguna Tahuexco en Aldea Chicago

Artisanry

By: Francisco Rodríguez Rouanet and Aracely Esquivel

Fabrics

Cotton fabrics make up the dress of the people of this region and they make them on two types of looms. These fabrics come from Mazatenango, Santo Domingo, San Gabriel, Cuyotenango, San Bernardino, Samayac, San Antonio Suchitepéquez and Patulul.

Rope

In the municipality of Cuyotenango they create items of maguey fibers such as hammocks, purses and nets.

Candle making

Candles of beef tallow and paraffin are made in the municipalities of Zunilillo, Santo Tomás La Unión, San Pablo Jocopilas, Zapotitlán, Samayac, San Bernardino, San Antonio Suchitepéquez, Chicacao and Mazatenango.

Leather

In the production of leather materials one finds goatskin used in the creation of coin purses, cigarette cases and sheaths. They also produce saddles, straps and other riding equipment.

Tiles

These are created in clay and found in the municipalities of Cuyotenango, Mazatenango, San Gabriel, San Antonio Suchitepéquez, San Miguel Panán, Santa Bárbara, San Juan Bautista, San José El Idolo and Santo Domingo.

Gold and silver craft

In the shops of Cuyotenango and Mazatenango one will find silver pieces such as earrings, chains of various types, bracelets and rings.

Furniture

In the municipalities of Zapotitlán, Cuyotenango, Mazatenango, San Antonio Suchitepéquez and Chicacao one finds chests of drawers, wardrobes, beds, dining room sets, living room sets and bookshelves.

Masks

Masks are fashioned using white pine, cedar and pita in the municipality of Samayac.

Carved Images

Spiritual persons such as the Saints are carved life-size or smaller in Samayac.

Gourds

Various natural materials are used in the creation of musical instruments and kitchen utensils.

Traditions

By: Carlos René García Escobar

Dances

In Suchitepéquez they practice traditional dances such as the Moros y Cristianos and, especially in Cuyotenango, San Bernardino and Santo Tomás La Unión, a variation known as Los Doce Pares de Francia. De Mexicanos is practiced in Cuyotenango and San Bernardino and also in San Miguel Panán. Another well-known dance is La Conquista that is practiced in Cuyotenango and San Bernardino. In San Bernardino, where they dance the original Los Venados and a variation of Toritos called La Vaca Mora, a variation of Los Venados known as Los Tuncunes is danced. In Santo Domingo Suchitepéquez Los Tuncunes springs forth as well as a local dance known as Tum Salajché.

In mentioning dance one must note Los Gigantes, practiced in Cuyotenango, as well as the Convites, that is danced in Chicacao, San Miguel Panán, Santa Bárbara and Santo Domingo Suchitepéquez.

Cofradías

This region possesses an enormous tradition of ancestral customs that offers a complete knowledge of the Suchitepéquez traditions. Noted among them are varied feasts, diverse musical instruments, traditional dances, requests for weddings, historical legends, tales and popular proverbs, curative practices using medicinal plants and the customs of the cycles of Christmas and Holy Week.