A Closer Look at Guatemala's Diverse Cultural Groups

There are 25 distinct ethnic groups in Guatemala, but most of its people are of Mayan ancestry. Western highlands of Guatemala are home to many of the country's indigenous Mayan communities, with Alta Verapaz and Quiché particularly notable examples.

Of all Guatemalans, more than 6.3 million (43.75%) consider themselves to be of indigenous descent. However, other sources claim that the percentage of indigenous Guatemalans is far higher, at around 60%, according to Pionero Philanthropy.

The Maya are a minority group because they are at a disadvantage compared to the majority population, regardless of the percentage of Guatemala's indigenous people.

Guatemala's Diverse Cultural Groups

With four "cultural groups" and 25 "ethnic groups," of which 22 are members of the Mayan Culture, and each speaks a different Mayan language, Guatemala is widely recognized as one of Latin America's most linguistically and culturally diverse regions. Here's a closer look at Guatemala's four "culture groups": the Mayan, Ladina, Xinca or Xinka, and Garífuna.

Mayan

Compared to other cultures, this one has been around the longest at nearly 5,000 years, but recent discoveries claim that it could be even more. Focusing on farming and folk art, this group is known for its distinctive handwoven "typical textiles" on backstrap looms.

Ethnic groups and geographical areas have great creative freedom when selecting and constructing their traditional garb. Güipiles and "corte" skirts are the standard wear for Mayan females. Hoever, the deeper meaning behind each outfit has been lost over time.

Indigenous women are responsible for maintaining the traditional clothing important to the culture's spiritual and aesthetic identity. Public rites and dances with origins in Mayan culture are also common.

Xinca

Jalapa, Santa Rosa, and Jutiapa are the country's three regions where this culture originated. People from this group use their language exclusively. According to Spanish Academy, it is common knowledge that this civilization has unique architectural styles.

The customary start time for work in this culture is four in the morning and ends at five in the afternoon. Its use of the Xinca language has significantly diminished in recent decades, but its descendants are working to revive it.

Garífuna

They are a people with a distinct culture who trace their ancestry back to Africa and various islands in the Caribbean and Central America. The inhabitants of this area are known as Garifuna. Still, their language and the group are also referred to by the term Garinagu, referring to a group of people. The current population is relatively small.

Owing to European and Spanish impacts in its early history, this culture in Guatemala does not have a textile tradition like other cultures in the country. Yet, they have incorporated styles of patterns and cutting designs for ladies, accompanied with scarves to cover their heads.

Ladino

White people and Mestizo people are the two ethnic groups in Ladino culture. The term "Ladino" dates to the era after Spain's colonial rule ended in the Americas.

There is a population in Guatemala known as the Mestizo, who have lineage from both the region's indigenous inhabitants and the Spanish colonizers. Most of Guatemala's Mestizo people reside in urban areas like Guatemala City and the other departmental capitals.

The Mestizo population in Guatemala peaked at roughly 600,000 at the time of the country's independence. According to World Atlas, Mestizos make up about 42% of Guatemala's current population.

White Guatemalans, who mostly trace their genealogy back to the colonial era's Spanish settlers, arrived from Europe in the 17th century. Criollo is the term used to describe native-born Spaniards.

The mestizo ethnic group, which has continued to rule the population of Guatemala, may trace its ancestry back to the Spanish colonial rule when White Guatemalans bred with the indigenous people.

Eighteen percent of Guatemala's current population identifies as White. Indigenous Guatemalans are more likely to live in poverty, experience racism, and be marginalized than the general population. Four of five indigenous people are economically disadvantaged, with 21.8% experiencing extreme poverty compared to only 7.4% of the general population.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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