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Puerto Quetzal
Puerto Quetzal
The Maya World has many faces, some of them as ancient as the carved images that adorn the remains of their towering jungle temples. Others, perhaps more accessible, can be seen in the faces of contemporary Guatemalans. Many of the people descended from the mighty Mayan civilization, from which ancient customs and traditions still form the basic fabric of contemporary life. El Peten is Guatemala’s northernmost department (state), and was once at the very center of el mundo Maya (“world of the Maya”). Remains from the Mayan people can be found across a vast area including more than 125,000 square miles and five modern nations (Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador). They used and developed mathematics, astronomy, agriculture and architecture in daily life - their knowledge was impressive. Great strides were made in the complex areas of sociology, politics, and economics, and the still partially deciphered system of hieroglyphics they developed to record their ideas may help de-mystify their society.
Guatemala is a living museum of history and dramatic landscapes, yet its richest assets are the rich and colorful traditions of its twenty-one ethnic communities, such as the Quiches, Cakchiqueles, Mames, Tzutuhiles, and Kekchies - proud descendents of the Maya. Each group has its own language and folklore, yet they share many common points of ancestral heritage as reflected in their religion, music, dance, food, and even social customs. While Spanish and Indian cultures have blended over the centuries, pure Mayan influences can be found in both the performing and design arts. Guatemalan hand crafted textiles in particular are purely Mayan in origin, even though they now incorporate some Spanish elements in both shape and design. Archaeologists divide Mayan culture development into three distinct periods:
Pre-Classic (2000 BC to 100 AD)
Classic (100 AD to 900 AD)
Post-Classic (900 AD to 1500 AD).
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