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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Guatemala >> Chichicastenango, Guatemala (March 2007) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Chichicastenango, Guatemala (March 2007)

Chichicastenango is a small white stucco-town located 140 km. northwest of Guatemala City. It is home to one of the most colorful Indian Markets in the Americas. The Indians of Chichicastenango are K'iche' Maya, the largest Mayan linguistic group in Guatemala. Market days are Sundays and Thursdays, and it draws not only the K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region, but Indian vendors from all over Guatemala including such linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others. The Indian Market is a cacophony of colors, dialects, costumes, incense smoke and smells. Among the items for sale are textiles, handicrafts (including wood carved masks), food, flowers, pottery, wooden boxes, condiments, medicinal plants, candles, pom and copal (traditional incense), cal (lime for preparing tortillas), grindstones, pigs and chickens, machetes and other tools. Another major attraction is the 400-year old church of Santo Tomas, which is situated next to the market. Shamans (people who believe in communication with the spiritual world) still use the church of Santo Tomas for their rituals, including burning incense and candles and, in special cases, offering a chicken to the gods. Last, but not least, Chichicastenango is a bargainer’s paradise. Start bargaining at a low price, and be prepared to meet them half way.
Chichicastenango, Guatemala cover page.
Chichicastenango, Guatemala cover page.		 Map of Guatemala with star indicating Chichicastenango.
Map of Guatemala with star indicating Chichicastenango.		 I walked down this street as I entered the Indian Market of Chichicastenango.
I walked down this street as I entered the Indian Market of Chichicastenango.		 A typical stand where many of the native Guatemalan textiles are sold.
A typical stand where many of the native Guatemalan textiles are sold.
One can tell where the textiles are from, because many of them are village-specific.
One can tell where the textiles are from, because many of them are village-specific.		 This Indian woman would not allow me to photograph her until I tipped her.
This Indian woman would not allow me to photograph her until I tipped her.		 Next to the market is the 400-year old church of Santo Tomás.
Next to the market is the 400-year old church of Santo Tomás.		 Built atop a Pre-Columbian platform, the steps originally lead to a temple of a pre-Hispanic Mayan civilization.
Built atop a Pre-Columbian platform, the steps originally lead to a temple of a pre-Hispanic Mayan civilization.
Close-up of a flower merchant on the steps of Santo Tomás.
Close-up of a flower merchant on the steps of Santo Tomás.		 Each of the 18 steps that lead up to the church stands for a month of the Mayan calendar year.
Each of the 18 steps that lead up to the church stands for a month of the Mayan calendar year.		 Shamans use the church for their rituals, including burning incense and candles and, sometimes, offering a chicken to the gods.
Shamans use the church for their rituals, including burning incense and candles and, sometimes, offering a chicken to the gods.		 This woman seemed to appear everywhere selling her colorful Indian fabrics.
This woman seemed to appear everywhere selling her colorful Indian fabrics.
I took this picture without her knowing it, since the Indians in Chichicastenango do not like to be photographed.
I took this picture without her knowing it, since the Indians in Chichicastenango do not like to be photographed.		 A pretty Indian girl in Chichicastenango holding flowers for sale.
A pretty Indian girl in Chichicastenango holding flowers for sale.		 Chichicastenango is known for it's wood carved masks, which are used in traditional dances.
Chichicastenango is known for it's wood carved masks, which are used in traditional dances.		 There were many people strolling around the market that day.
There were many people strolling around the market that day.
An elderly Guatemalan woman in Chichicastenango taking in the market around her.
An elderly Guatemalan woman in Chichicastenango taking in the market around her.		 These people were gathering around looking at the chickens.
These people were gathering around looking at the chickens.		 These people were selling chickens.
These people were selling chickens.		 Baskets of baby chicks for sale.
Baskets of baby chicks for sale.
Close-up of the basket of baby chicks.
Close-up of the basket of baby chicks.		 Indians with a crate of baby chicks for sale.
Indians with a crate of baby chicks for sale.		 This woman was carrying a chicken around with her.
This woman was carrying a chicken around with her.		 Two Guatemalan women conferring in the market.
Two Guatemalan women conferring in the market.
More conferring going on amongst the vendors.
More conferring going on amongst the vendors.		 A young woman selling more beautiful Guatemalan fabrics.
A young woman selling more beautiful Guatemalan fabrics.		 A woman and young girl selling flowers. The woman was nodding off.
A woman and young girl selling flowers. The woman was nodding off.		 Women in Chichicastenango are skilled at balancing loads on their heads.
Women in Chichicastenango are skilled at balancing loads on their heads.
This flower vendor was camped out at the base of the steps of the church of Santo Tomás.
This flower vendor was camped out at the base of the steps of the church of Santo Tomás.		 Woman in a flowered Guatemalan dress.
Woman in a flowered Guatemalan dress.		 Another chicken lady with her head covered to protect herself from the sun.
Another chicken lady with her head covered to protect herself from the sun.		 A young girl with a look of total boredom on her face!
A young girl with a look of total boredom on her face!
This woman, who kept reappearing, appeared again trying to sell her fabrics.
This woman, who kept reappearing, appeared again trying to sell her fabrics.		 A vendor carrying a big load of running shoes.
A vendor carrying a big load of running shoes.		 A boy with his grandmother, perhaps, selling odds & ends.
A boy with his grandmother, perhaps, selling odds & ends.		 These three-wheeled taxis can be seen all over Guatemala.
These three-wheeled taxis can be seen all over Guatemala.
Close-up of the three-wheeled taxi.
Close-up of the three-wheeled taxi.		 I walked away from the Indian Market down this quieter street in Chichicastenango.
I walked away from the Indian Market down this quieter street in Chichicastenango.		 I was impressed by the beautiful designs on this bridge.
I was impressed by the beautiful designs on this bridge.		 Close-up of the designs on the bridge.
Close-up of the designs on the bridge.
While concealed, this woman was carrying her child in a pouch behind her.
While concealed, this woman was carrying her child in a pouch behind her.		 Live chicken or dead chicken anyone?
Live chicken or dead chicken anyone?		 A colorfully dressed Indian woman with her kids while balancing a load on her head.
A colorfully dressed Indian woman with her kids while balancing a load on her head.		 More beautiful Guatemalan fabrics to choose from.
More beautiful Guatemalan fabrics to choose from.
Loaded down with fabrics.
Loaded down with fabrics.		 I caught this lady by surprise when I snapped her picture.
I caught this lady by surprise when I snapped her picture.		 This woman was taking a a break from the commotion of the Indian Market.
This woman was taking a a break from the commotion of the Indian Market.		 Banana vendor in Chichicastenango.
Banana vendor in Chichicastenango.
An ice cream break with the kids.
An ice cream break with the kids.		 I came across this smaller church in Chichicastenango.
I came across this smaller church in Chichicastenango.		 Hotel Santo Tomás is located just a few minutes from the Indian Market and the Church of Santo Tomás.
Hotel Santo Tomás is located just a few minutes from the Indian Market and the Church of Santo Tomás.		 Courtyard and fountain inside Hotel Santo Tomás.
Courtyard and fountain inside Hotel Santo Tomás.
Close-up of the fountain
Close-up of the fountain		 In addition to a collection of Spanish colonial art and beautiful flowers, Hotel Santo Tomás has exotic birds.
In addition to a collection of Spanish colonial art and beautiful flowers, Hotel Santo Tomás has exotic birds.		 Parrot on a perch at Hotel Santo Tomás.
Parrot on a perch at Hotel Santo Tomás.		 Close-up of a parrot at Hotel Santo Tomás.
Close-up of a parrot at Hotel Santo Tomás.

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