Guatemala lies between Mexico, Belize and the Pacific Ocean.  It is one of the 10 poorest countries in Latin America with more than half the national population below poverty level.  While about 90% of the population speaks Spanish, twenty-one Mayan languages are spoken, especially among the elderly and in rural areas. 

The Maya is a designation which includes the people who share some cultural and linguistic heritage, and there are several distinct populations of Maya in Latin America.  Each of these has their own traditions and culture.

The Mayan people have the most beautiful colored textiles worn as dresses, capes and shirts.  The colors are woven into intricate patterns, each village having their own traditional pattern.  You can actually tell a person’s home village based on their pattern of fabric.  That’s pretty neat. 

I’ve experienced some Mayan culture on visits to Mexico. During one trip I visited Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Peninsula. The ruins are a fascinating place with great stories about the sports-like games played there and the way the building line up to capture the sunlight.

Here you see the serpent as the sun hits it. 

The Mayan culture is ancient and has an amazing history. The myths and legends cover nature and the people’s relationship with their gods and the world around them.  My favorite is the story of how the delicate little hummingbird got her beautiful colored plumage.  You can read a version of the legend here.  There are many other curious and interesting myths and legends celebrated by the Mayan people.

Mayan stories and culture can be found in the most unlikely places.  It is a popular movie thematic element, there are hotels with a Mayan theme and of course our much loved chocolate finds its history in the kakaw or cocoa bean, first used by the Maya and Aztecs.

I look forward experiencing some of the Mayan culture during our mission.  Mostly though, I look forward to meeting the people, working with the team and changing some lives.

And maybe trying that cocoa drink.