GUATEMALA

Guatemala map

GUATEMALAN RELIGION

• 50-60% of the population in Guatemala is Roman Catholicism
• 1% follow the indigenous Mayan faith
• Catholicism was the official religion during the colonial era
• About 25 to33 percent of the population are Protestant
• The Amerindians have preserved Mayan beliefs such as worshipping gods who control weather and crops

CUSTOMS IN GUATEMALA

1. The midwife and the brujo(shaman or witch) attend the child's birth
2. Guatemalans believe that if the Brujo prays for the child to have good protection and health, then a blue-eyed person or a stranger will not cast the evil eye upon the child
3. Children wear clothing identical to their parents and they are put to work at an early
age.
4. The age of 18 marks the beginning of a boy's coming of age
5. At the age of 15 marks the beginning of a girl's coming of age
6. Young men still ask a girl's father for her hand in marriage

Family life in the Guatemalan society, the Church and state are both weak but the families tend to be the only dependable source of support

In Guatemala children are greatly desired despite the rapid population growth

FOOD

Food in Guatemala is simple and not very spicy. Corn tortillas, rice, beans, tamales, and plantains are the staple foods. Coffee is more watered down then most Americans are used to

EMPLOYMENT

The country's constitution forbids employment of children under the age of 14, younger children are employed. Usually they work in family enterprises and in agriculture. Latinos tend to become shopkeepers, government employees, or laborer in private industries.

The fincas, or large plantations, employ both Latinos and Amerindians for seasonal labor during the harvest. A large part of the population continues to farm small plots. Many such farmers supplement their income with the sale of handicrafts and seasonal plantation work.

SPORTS

Football(also known as soccer in the United States) is Guatemala's national sport. It is even played in most traditional and distant villages.Guatemala is also known for having the largest soccer stadium in Central America.

FUN FACTS ABOUT GUATEMALA

• Guatemala is home to 33 volcanoes
• Half of the population in guatemala are descendents of the Maya
• There are some 200 mayan cities that date from between 350 B.C. and 900 A.D.
• Blue denim comes from guatamela