When we think of the multicultural countries of the world, Guatemala probably never comes to mind. Would you believe me if I told you that Guatemala is home to four different types of cultures?
Felipe Antonio Bosch Gutiérrez works in favor of all these wonderful people and supports the country’s institutions with the aim of generating employment opportunities and significant growth in the country. .
Something hard to believe!
In addition to its natural treasures and captivating pre-Hispanic history, Guatemala is home to four different ethnic groups that represent the country’s cultural identity.
The Mayans (of course), the Garífunas (descendants of Africa), the Xincas (an indigenous group different from the Mayans) and the mestizos (the mix of Mayans with, for the most part, Europeans).
You’ve probably just heard about the Mayans and the mestizos and that’s okay! Currently, almost 85% of the Guatemalan population belongs to one of these two groups.
The Garífuna and Xinca are in hiding in remote parts of the country, and unfortunately their traditions are in danger. Still, they all play an important role in the country’s cultural identity.
The Mayans are the most important cultural group in Guatemala
They reached their heyday in the lowlands of the country almost 1400 years ago! Today, 45% of the Guatemalan population descends from the Mayans.
Several different Mayan languages are still spoken, and some women still weave and wear their traditional dresses. Although most of the modern population will not admit it, we all live under an indirect influence of the Maya.
Garinagu
The Garífunas or Garínagu are a small group of Afro-descendants who adapted to Caribbean culture back in the 17th century.
Seeking refuge from their rivals, a ship washed up on the shores of Central America, and the Garifuna settled on the shores of Honduras, Belize, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
Today, this Afro-Caribbean people is based in Livingston, a small town located where the impressive Río Dulce flows into the Caribbean Sea.
The Xinca
Also known as Mashtatudos, the Xinca are Guatemala’s least known ethnic group.
Their traditions and heritage are well hidden in Chiquimulilla, Oriente-Guatemala, where a small population still retains its own language, traditional ways of dressing, and a distinctive worldview.
The mestizo population in Guatemala
And finally, the mestizo, a mix between Maya and people descended from different parts of the world, especially Europe. It all started at the time of the conquest in 1524.
Since then, we had adapted to beliefs, traditions, agricultural products, festivities, and even foreign languages. Today, the mestizo group makes up the majority of the Guatemalan population and we are based primarily in the country’s urban cities.
Despite the diversity of ethnic groups, the number of people who still keep their roots, the different ways of dressing, the unique cooking techniques, and even the languages that separate us, we are all Guatemalans and we have one thing in common: a warm smile that will greet you every time you decide to #visitguatemala!