The route to the Atlantic
By: Felipe Antonio Girón Palacios
The area of Zacapa shows evidence of occupation since the pre-Classic period. Archaeological sites of great urban dimension with structures constructed in the shapes of games using balls are examples of the human presence in the region. The Vega del Cobán in Teculután, La Reforma in Huité and Marines in Río Hondo are some of these sites. The navigation of the Motagua River allowed the distribution and commercialization of jadeite stone (which flourishes in the foothills of the Sierra de Las Minas) and obsidian as well as the communication between the highland plains and lowlands of the Mayan country. The present-day municipalities of Gualán, Río Hondo, Zacapa and Estanzuela were inhabited by ch'orti'es indigens, and the municipalities of Cabañas (formerly Chimalapa), Usumatlán, Teculután and possibly Huité, by indigens who spoke the alagüilac idiom, which apparently was a mixture of ch'orti' and pipil, a nahuatl language coming from central Mexico. Etymologically derived from the nahuats and Mayan languages, Zacapa means "over the river of grass or hay". "Zacatl" means "grass or hay", and "apán" means "in the river", formed from "atl"or "water" and "pan" which means "in". This is not the only municipality with a name of nahuatl (pipil) origin in the Department. There also are the municipalities of Teculután, Usumatlán and Huité. In the colonial era the navigation of the Motagua River was very important for communication and therefore the roadway named the Camino Real de Santiago was designed to parallel the river. This condition determined to a large degree that the majority of the Spanish colonists of the 16th and 17th centuries settled in this region, populating all of Zacapa and displacing the native population which had been devastated by the disease epidemics brought by the Europeans. Sheep, horse and mule ranches were established in the region, to provide a means of transportation for goods and people between the capital, the Golfo Dulce and the Caribbean Sea. Furthermore, to consolidate the Department as a communication route, at the end of the 19th century a railroad was built from the Atlantic that crossed the territory and had important stations in Zacapa, Gualán and Cabañas. Zacapa has been a link between the capital and the Atlantic coast and in recent times the railroad and the banana plantations have been a strong source of employment for many people of the Department. The crucible of the east
By: Luis Villar Anleu
The Motagua River, that greedily irrigates the valley that crosses the Department of Zacapa, hides a frightening crevice. It is the fracture that divides Guatemala into two parts. Here it presents itself in the form of two extensive parallel geologic faults that come from the east and make their way west. One of these is called the San Agustín fault and runs on the north side to the foot of the Sierra de Las Minas mountains. The other is called the Motagua fault and makes it course to the foot of the mountains to the south.
Another warm and important river in this Department, the Grande of Zacapa, is a tributary of the Río Motagua. Its waters flow over a valley that hides another fault, coming from Chiquimula and joining the Motagua at a right angle. Its existence creates the separation of the mountains in the south into two dissimilar blocks.
In the shady and humid natural environment of the Sierra de las Minas, we find forest species that are extremely rare in Guatemala, such as the yew and the maple. They have in their dark eco-system their own bioma of the Selva de Montaña, probably the last local refuge for their survival. Joining them there is a variety of surprising and splendid animals. Among them, we find birds such as the quetzal, auroras, pitorreales, guardabarrancas and cenzontles of the high mountains.
Some of the natural attractions in Zacapa are the Fragua Plains, the Pasabien Spa, the caves of Doña María and the Sierra de Las Minas. Artisanry By: Claudia Dary Fuentes and Francisco Rodríguez Rouanet
Men and women craft hats of palm.
The production of cheese and butter is distributed in the local markets and in the capital.
The making of panela is also an extensive occupation in the communities of the northeast and eastern regions.
Fabrication of cigars and cigarettes is a feminine occupation while livestock production and ranching are reserved solely for the men. Today the horse and ranching cultures are reflected in the festivals, oral traditions, dances and popular games. Tanned leather, candy and sweet snacks, bread making, embroidery, basket weaving, rope, wood products, water filters, and the building of canoes of wood and ceramic are all part of the artistic endeavors of this Department today.
One of the most important crafts is the embroidery showcased in the tablecloths, blouses and napkins of the municipality of Estanzuela. Other areas create rustic pottery, fireworks, wood furniture, candles and articles of iron and tin.
Traditions
By Carlos René García Escobar
Dances
In colonial times the social structure of peninsular origin allowed this region to support the dance of the Moros y Cristianos. However, for reasons now unknown, these dances faded away and were replaced by others, some of European origin, related to the climatic conditions.
Here in Zacapa, as in Jalapa, they practice masquerades with recitations relating to the seasons of winter and summer. These events consist of costume parades, along whose path they have challenges and readings in the style of the "bombas" of other places in Central America.
Cofradías and Hermandades
In Zacapa there are no cofradías, however, considering that this is a central region of eastern Guatemala the hermandades have proliferated.
Holidays and games of chance
Like the cultural heritage derived from the migrant groups of Spain and Europe, the inhabitants of the east of Guatemala are noted for their affection for games of chance. Examples of these are the games using playing cards from Spain and England, games that are played at fairs, such as dice games, as well as the divining arts reflected in gypsy magic. |