15 very interesting traditions of Guatemala (and their history)

Guatemala is a Central American country of great cultural wealth where there is an ecological diversity and a host of traditions typical of a set of very ancient civilizations that have left their mark and are still in force. Their culture is demonstrated in their food, musical instruments, clothing, colors, and dances, demonstrating their identity as a nation.

Despite the passing of the years and foreign influence, this nation still preserves its historical and cultural heritage intact. This is one of the reasons why Guatemala is an ideal destination to visit on the next vacation. Even when modernity has arrived in these lands, a great number of its traditions still stand.

Are you interested in knowing more about this country? Well, in this article we bring you the most interesting cultural traditions of Guatemala that will convince you a little more to go sightseeing in their lands.

• We recommend you read: "10 very interesting traditions of Colombia (and its history)"

What can we find in Guatemala?

Like everywhere else, Guatemala has diverse artistic and cultural manifestations that are from the liked by tourists, especially those that are held to celebrate historical events typical of the region. Religion is a very common theme in Guatemalan traditions, where ancestral beliefs are mixed with those brought from Spain.

The fantastic of its folk dances, the beauty of the colors and unique clothing, have led this town to maintain its traditions and customs despite all the technology and modernism that seek to suffocate all this cultural heritage that is known throughout the world. The bright colors bring an attraction and charm to each celebration, while the populous dances accompany each festivity that takes place.

What are the most famous Guatemalan traditions?

Next we will know some of the most striking traditions of Guatemala that you must experience when you go to visit this beautiful place.

1. The dance of the flying stick

A very striking name, for a very striking tradition. This is due both to the colorful and unique clothing, as well as the act itself, which consists of dancers dressed as monkeys hanging and jumping from a log which is positioned and secured from a swivel base. His complex choreographies cause sensation and admiration among the public.

This dance is inspired by episodes of the Popol Vuh, which is a sacred Mayan manuscript, which indicates the legend of the twins Hunbatz and Hunchouén, who were transformed into monkeys as punishment for having wished the death of their brothers minors.

2. Preparation of cold cuts

One of the most delicious traditions, as it combines food with culture. This is a gastronomic custom that is the preparation of cold cuts, which is a multicultural dish as it contains a wide variety of ingredients. Vegetables, vegetables, sausages such as sausages and chorizo, cheese, seafood and fish are also added.

This dish is made throughout the country, for which there are numerous variants, all equally delicious, within them are the red and white cold cuts. It is usually prepared and consumed to celebrate the Day of the Dead. A tradition that definitely makes any tourist fall in love.

3. Tape race

It is one of the most peculiar traditions that Guatemala has. It is held in the department of Huehuetenango every November 1 of each year, this is a celebration full of color and joy. ‘The Game of Rooster’, as it is also known, is that a group of riders in a drunken state, ride in a race that begins at 6 in the morning and ends at 6 in the afternoon.

Each participant is dressed in a ceremonial Todos Santos Cuchumatán costume, which consists of a hat adorned with feathers of various shades, a colorful handkerchief and red ribbons. One by one of the riders they enter the track according to their turn.

4. The burning of torito

Relax, it is not about burning any animal or anything less. This celebration takes place many times a year, especially during the patron saint festivities, and it is a party to celebrate the introduction of pyrotechnics in the country. For this the population build a wooden bull which is decorated with colored paper and internally carries fireworks. This statue is placed on top of a man who dances while the rockets explode and chases those present.

5. The Tope de Mayo

One of the most colorful festivities that is celebrated in Guatemalan land that captivates tourists. It is celebrated specifically in the Jalapa region and is one of the most anticipated festivals due to the beauty of its dance and music. In this celebration, dancers dance around a log with ribbons of various colors which are used to perform beautiful choreography to welcome spring and pray for a good harvest.

6. Giant kite festival

In the Municipality of Sumpango the Day of the Dead is celebrated in a different way, the party begins at four in the morning where you can see some impressive giant barrels, which according to the scriptures scare away the bad guys spirits. When evening falls they proceed to burn them so that the smoke guides the lost souls. Without a doubt, a tradition that shows a lot of respect towards death, also offering a more positive vision of it.

7. Devil burn

It represents the arrival of Christmas in this country, where every December 7 at 6 in the afternoon, people burn a piñata in the shape of a devil which, according to tradition, takes everything bad out of houses and prepares them to receive all the blessings to come.

8. Fox caravan

This is a tradition that began in 1961 and consists of a pilgrimage made by a group of motorcyclists that leaves from the Plaza de la Constitución towards Esquipulas, in order to visit the Black Christ. This is done every first Saturday in February and is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation.

9. Torches of independence

As its name implies, it is a tradition that is made to commemorate the Independence of the country. It takes place in the month of September and consists of people running with torches in their hands to a specific point. The torches represent the journey that the riders made through Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, to publicize the independence of this Central American nation.

10. Carnival shells

This is a very peculiar tradition to celebrate carnival in a different way. It is a celebration where the entire community and families gather to paint the empty egg shells, which are filled with flour or confetti. These are thrown to people as a game and its purpose is to spend a fun day and then prepare for the arrival of Holy Week.

11. Mayan women's day

A special day to celebrate women? Yes please! This is one of the few celebrations that has women as the main protagonist, since in the Mayan people women had a main role. This ancient tradition commemorates the time when the Mayan Gods created the first woman.

12. Decorative rugs

A tradition that you can take home, wherever you live in the world. This occurs during Holy Week, where it is also celebrated in a special way. Then the main streets where the processions are made are dressed in color by means of the elaboration of some carpets made with sawdust painted in different colors and in which some religious and folkloric figures are made. Many people add roses, palms, and other materials to make it more colorful.

13. Dance of the big heads and giants

Continuing with the celebration of the festivities in a quite peculiar and interesting way, this is a celebration to celebrate the birth of the Child Jesus, is held at the Temple of Mercy in Antigua Guatemala every December 24 at three in the afternoon. Some very unique dancers with very large heads dance to the sound of the marimba and thus celebrate Christmas.

14. Thursday of patches

In Guatemala there is a very special tradition. The thing is every Thursday the family meets to taste the patches, which is a delicious dish made from potatoes, which is originally from Quetzaltenango. It is accompanied with French bread and a hot drink.

15. The inns

It is one of the most beautiful traditions that are made at Christmas. A group of people wander the streets singing Christmas carols looking for a welcome home. When they find an inn, they are greeted with a glass of punch, sweet bread, tamale or chuchito, it is a custom that was introduced in Guatemala in the sixteenth century and was adopted by the Catholics of the town.

Guatemala represents a very interesting tourist destination due to its diversity of culture that encompasses several communities indigenous people, but also for their joy, color, music and dance that captivates locals and visitors with the same intensity and passion.