Traditions of Chichicastenango
A Maya highland town whose market and Santo Tomás church mix Catholic and K'iche' ritual.
Chichicastenango sits in the Guatemalan highlands in the land of the K'iche' Maya. On Thursdays and Sundays, it hosts one of the largest markets in Central America, with weavers, flower sellers and healers. On the church steps of Santo Tomás, shamans burn incense and offer prayers in K'iche'.
Market and incense
On the steps of the church, K'iche' priests, or aj q'ij, swing censers of copal and speak prayers for the dead and the living, using the Maya calendar. Cofradías, religious brotherhoods, carry saints in procession, and the Palo Volador, a ritual in which men are lowered from a tall pole, is performed at the December festival.
At the table
Maya cooking uses corn in tortillas, tamales and atol, and black beans and chile. Pulique, a meat stew, and kak'ik, a turkey soup, are found in the highlands. Rosa de Jamaica, a hibiscus drink, and chocolate are served. Women make tortillas by hand on a comal.
Signature traditions of Chichicastenango
Also part of it, and being written: Palo volador (The pole ritual.), K'iche' people (The people.), Copal (The incense.).
A trail idea for Chichicastenango
- Santo Tomás Church See the steps.
- Market Visit on a Thursday.
- Pascual Abaj A shrine on a hill.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Danza de los Voladores: A01333649, CC BY-SA 4.0, source