Chichicastenango
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The Ki'che Maya
Maya peoples of the Guatemala highlands include the Quiche, Mam, Pocomam, Caqchikel, Ixil, Kekchi, Tzutuhil, Jacaltec, and Xinca. While it is generally agreed that while there were indigenous peoples spread throughout Mesoamerica by the year 10,000 BC., for all intents and purposes the first major settlements of the Guatemalan Highlands by organized groups didn't happen until the migration of Toltec (Mexican) related groups into the region in the 9th and 10th centuries.
Accounts of this settlement can be found principally in two books written by two of the principal tribes of the region; the Popul Vuh, which details the history of the Ki'che tribe, and Annals of Solola, an amazing account written by the grandson of the last king of the Cak'chi'quel in the 16th century. Today, the principal tribes are the Ki'che, the Caqchikel and the Tzutuhil, based respectively in Chichicastenango, Solola and Santiago Atitlan.
Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango, also known as Santo Tomas Chichicastenango, is a town in the Quiche department, to the north-west of Guatemala City. The capital is Santa Cruz del Quiche
Chichicatenango is a small and stucco-white town, lying on the crests of mountaintops at an altitude of 1,965 meters. It is located about 140 km and 2-3 hours drive northwest of Guatemala City and is home to what is surely the most colorful native market in North and Central America, perhaps in all the Americas
The famous handicraft market of Chichicastenango draws not only the K'iche' (Ki'che) Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala. They represent many of Guatemala's linguistic groups such as the Mam and others, each hawking his or her products in a riotous cacophony of color, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells. This town in the mountains of El Quiche has been, since pre-Hispanic times, one of the largest trading centers in the Maya area.
Vendors begin setting up portable booths in the main plaza and adjacent streets of "Chichi" the night before and set-up continues in the early daylight hours. Outstanding among the items offered are textiles, particularly the women's blouses. The manufacture of masks, used by dancers in traditional dances has also made this city famous for woodcarving. Much of what is sold is of good quality, but there are also products in Chichi's many factories for the not-so-discerning foreign companies.
Another major attraction in Chichicastenango is the 400-year old church of Santo Tomas which is situated next to the market. It is built atop a Pre-Columbian platform, and the steps led originally to a temple of the pre-Hispanic Maya civilization. Shamans still use it for their rituals, burning incense and candles and in special cases a chicken for the gods. Each of the 18 stairs that lead up to the church stands for one month of the Maya calendar, and there isn't a visitor to the city who doesn't stand at some point before this church/altar looking in wonder at the sight before them.
If you'd like to visit Chichicastenango, please click here for hotel and travel information.
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