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| People of Guetamala |
 The people of Guatemala are mixed -Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino), approximately 55%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, approximately 43%, whites and others 2%.
Until the children can walk and take care of themselves, babies spend most of their time strapped to the backs of their mothers or older sisters. They are wrapped in a colorful length of woven cloth that is tied around the torso of the women. In the cool mountain mornings, all you can see exposed are little feet, a hand or the tip of a nose.
Nahuala is one of the few communities  where men wear skirts. The brown skirt is offset by a bright shirt. On market day, the butcher displays its products. Most family cannot afford eating meat on a regular basis.The condition of this man's skirt, shoulder bag and pullover indicate that he is among the poorest of his village. At his feet lies a large burlap sack of dried corn. As the main staple of the diet, it is the most commonly traded commodity. Yearly harvests are carefully measured and calculated and the results dictate the success of a growing season. In the blazing sun of mid-morning, a man lies comatose after a binge. Alcoholism is becoming a problem in many communities, especially in Nahuala. Some may even resort to consuming rubbing alcohol (methanol) which causes permanent brain damage and partial blindness.
The population of Guatemala is 12.4 million (this is a 2000 estimate) and the population grows 2.7 percent annually. This population makes Guatemala the most populated country in Central America. Also, 16% of Guatemala's population is under 5. Another 27% is from 5 to 15. The population density of Guatemala is 98 people per square km.
 The major ethnic groups of Guatemala are the Maya and Latinos (Spanish for Latinos). Outside of the cities is where you will find the traditional clothing and farms etc. In the urban areas are the cinemas, music, politics, business and fast food franchises.
Guatemalan village people to Guatemalan Mam Indian, your clothes are very different. You may
where traditional tribe clothing or maybe just light clothing for the warm weather that often occurs in
Guatemala. In November through February you may only need your woolen clothes though.
Many of the urban house units and most likely a small rural dwellings are poorly built with bad
electricity and drinkable water. There are still modern skyscrapers in the cities. You may only find
one television in a household or one radio. But lately, radios, televisions and phones, have been
increasing as more people have the money to buy them. The 9 newspapers sent out daily contribute to
the communication problems because of how many phones, radios and televisions bought and owned,
which is few.
Roman Catholicism, Christian beliefs, Amerindian and tribal religions make up the religions of the
people in Guatemala. Roman Catholic is one of the most common religion (70%). In 1986 , an
estimated 25% of the population combined Christian beliefs with traditional Amerindian rites. In
1990, there was about 800 Jewish people in Guatemala and 5,000 people following tribal religions.
Exclusively Spanish is the official and commercial language for Guatemala. There are 22 Amerindians
dialects, there are 5 main that the 22 are based on: Quiche, Mam, Pocomam, and Chol. all of the
Mayan language family and Carib. |
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