About Comalapa

The World Bank considers three quarters of the population of Guatemala to be living in poverty.

Guatemala, a country of 13.8 million people is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Tennessee, is home to vivid scenes. It is cut and divided by cords of mountains, tangling greens reaching the very bottom of sight, and deep ravines where large colorful buses flirt with their edges. This striking country and her beautiful people have been historically divided by ethnic discrimination, socio-economic disparity and sharp inequities in access to health care and education. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central American with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The agricultural sector accounts for nearly 15% of the GDP and half of the labor force.

There is a lack of opportunities for skilled workers and Guatemala is prone to poor infrastructure. Income distribution remains highly unequal with the richest 10% of the population accounting for more than 40% of overall consumption. More than half of the Guatemalan population is below the national poverty line and 15% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Guatemala has one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world with 43% of children under five being chronically malnourished. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up 38% of the population, averages 76% and extreme poverty rises to 28%.

The Agreement on the Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognizes that four peoples live side by side in Guatemala: the Mayas, Ladinos, Garífuna and Xinca. The Maya and Xinca are both considered indigenous groups; the Garífuna has its origins in the Caribbean. Ladinos are considered the people who do not fit into the other three categories; they constitute 59% of Guatemala’s population. The Maya are subdivided into 21 linguistic groups, each of which has their own language. Most published information relates to the K’icke’, Kaqchikel and Q’eqchi’ groups, which have the culture's best documented literature.

Until about 25 years ago, it was uncommon in Guatemala to use the term Maya to designate the contemporary Mayas. In reaction to foreign labels, which had for centuries underlain the social, political and economic marginalization of the indigenous peoples in Guatemala, various indigenous organizations have begun to create a new common basis of positive Mayan identity. This expression of a new collective ethnic identity – Mayan ethnicity – has arisen out of social processes and the struggle for political participation. Clear differences can be found among the various Mayan peoples living in Guatemala in, for example, language, ways of expressing spirituality, and cultural traditions. What unites all the Mayan peoples is their past and present experience of marginalization and the resistance which all of them have developed to combat it.

San Juan Comalapa is a rural municipality of 41,000 at an elevation of 7,000 ft. It is located in the northern part of the department of Chimaltenango in the west-central highlands of Guatemala. San Juan (Saint John) is the patron saint of the municipality; Comalapa means the place of griddles. It is well known for its religious activities carried out throughout the year, and has a large plaza that includes two basketball courts, a fountain and two large Catholic churches. The Municipality of San Juan Comalapa is composed of two ethnic groups: 97% Kaqchikel and 3% Ladino (of mixed racial ancestry). Kaqchikel people comprise 8.4% of Guatemala’s overall population. There are two languages spoken in Comalapa: Kaqchikel and Spanish. Kaqchikel is most Comalapans' first language. Language is a fundamental pillar of Kaqchikel culture, which they use to avoid total displacement. Other central elements of the culture include Mayan ceremony, a value placed on community spirit, the development of working skills, a sense of responsibility for the Earth and respect for culture and customs.

Historical social inequalities in the country have led to the marginalization of the indigenous population and disparities in wealth, and access to healthcare and education. Currently, 57% of Comalapa’s population lives in poverty and 10% live in extreme poverty. This pervasiveness and depth of poverty puts pressure on local natural resources that result in the pollution of waterways, hillsides and the air. In turn, this leads to illness and a degraded landscape. The area of Comalapa is principally dedicated to agriculture where the main sources of income are cultivation of corn and beans grown for sustenance or to be sold in the market. The reliance of sustenance farming often does not provide many employment opportunities, nor does Comalapa have the infrastructure or financial ability to provide much education past the 6th grade.

Comalapa is known for producing fine art and artisan works. It is home to over 400 painters who are often characterized as the best painters of Guatemala. Local artists display their work in household galleries and Comalapa has one art museum. The largest and most notable example of Comalapa’s artwork is seen upon arrival in town: a mural running along the outer wall of the main cemetery. The mural depicts major events in Guatemalan history, including the Maya creation story, Spanish conquest, Guatemala’s Civil War and Comalapa’s dreams for the future. Comalapa is also home to the late Maestro Rafael Alvarez Ovalle, the composer of Guatemala’s national anthem, “Himno Nacional de Guatemala.” There is a Museum dedicated to Ovalle in Comalapa.

The best days to visit the market in Comalapa are Tuesday, Friday and Sunday when it is in full swing. People from Comalapa’s surrounding villages gather in the center of town to buy and sell items, including vegetables, fruit, flowers, household goods and clothes. Local women specialize in weaving and display their work in the market for purchase. There are always basic items, like tomatoes, onions and beans available throughout the week.