Chichicastenango, Guatemala is a small highland town known for preserving pre-Christian beliefs. During the Feast of Santo Tomás from December 18-23, religious brotherhoods called confraternities hold processions through the streets, dancing near the church. Brave men also participate in a ritual called palo volador, where they spin suspended high from a pole between the church and its twin temple. The town remains a center of trade, with a bustling market each Sunday.

1. Chichicastenango, Guatemala December 18-23, 2004 Feast of Santo Tom ás A small, highlands town (pop. 8000), seemingly isolated and magical. Shamanistic & ceremonial, Masheños are famous for their pre-Christian beliefs, & their versions of old rites are readily visible in & around the church of Santo Tom ás. Confradias, religious brotherhoods, hold processions on Sundays (see picture to the right).

2. Side Street Entertainment Outside the hotel window, firecrackers are heard popping in the streets, and a bus awaits its scheduled trip (left). A confradia dances near the hotel (bottom).

3. The palo volador is set up between the church of Santo Tom ás & its twin temple during the fiestas patronales (top right). When confradias process in the streets, the leading flute can be heard throughout town (bottom left) .

4. During the Feast of Santo Tom ás, pairs of brave men fly at high speeds while suspended from el palo volador . The twin church can be seen in the background (bottom, bottom left).

5. Pyramid of fireworks 9 levels

6. After processing on the streets, the saints (and frailes) congregate on the front steps of the church (below), the steps are also used for making offerings. Once all the saints arrive, a white hores is sent “running” from the church (above).

7. Sundays (& Thursdays) are big market days in Chichi. Chichi has been a trading town since before the conquistadores came.