Jürg Widmer Probst knows everything there is to know about Guatemala and gathers together 20 facts about Guatemalan culture everyone should know.

1. 20 facts about Guatemalan culture you probably don’t know
Guatemala is one of the most fascinating countries on earth. A mix of many
traditional cultures, Guatemala inhabits fascinating terrain. While the country is
relatively small, there is so much packed within its borders.
There are so many fascinating facts to discover about Guatemala that I can’t cover
them all in one blog! But here are some of the most interesting facts about
Guatemalan culture I’ve learned over the years.
Check out these 20 facts on Guatemalan culture, history and cuisine
1. Guatemala is the heart of the Maya civilisation
Many of the biggest and most important Mayan cities were in Guatemala. Places like
El Mirador and Tikal were built and abandoned within the country, with Mayans ruling
the land until about 1000AD.
We don’t know how or why these Mayan cities fell, particularly as the Conquistadors
didn’t even arrive for another 500 years.
2. Mayan culture is alive and well
Around 40% of Guatemala’s population is made up of indigenous people, with most
of them from Mayan descent. There are 23 recognised groups of Mayan people
living in Guatemala today, including Mam, Kaqchikel, K’iche and Q’eqchi people.
3. Spanish is not the only language

2. While Guatemala’s official language is Spanish, there are more than 20 other
languages commonly in use throughout the country. In the highlands and
mountainous areas, 21 Mayan languages are still spoken, with two non-Mayan
languages in use on the Caribbean coastline.
4. Corn is a staple food in Guatemala
Corn has long featured in Guatemalan cooking, whether in the form of tortillas or as
corn masa, the dough used to make tamales. Pretty much every Guatemalan meal
will have some form of corn tortilla, usually served with rice and beans.
5. Traditional Guatemalan foods include tamales and pepian
There are loads of delicious Guatemalan dishes to try, including tamales. These
come in lots of varieties but are all made from corn masa. The dough is stuffed with
loads of different ingredients. Pepian is a meat stew, usually made with chicken. The
sauce contains pumpkin seeds, which are called ‘pepitos’. These are ground up with
lots of dried chillies and the stew is served with rice. It’s commonly made at times of
celebration and festivity.
6. The Mayans invented chocolate
Guatemala is the place where chocolate bars were invented. This was, of course,
long after chocolate was used by the Maya elite in the form of hot chocolate mixed
with chillies, cinnamon and other spices.
7. Guatemala is an exporter of jade
The jade from Guatemala has been valuable for centuries, with the original site in the
Montagua River Valley. Jade was used by the rich and elite and in ancient rituals.
Today, Jade is exported by Guatemala to lots of other countries.
8. Guatemala is the world’s biggest producer of cardamom
While spices are more commonly associated with India, Guatemala produces double
the amount of cardamom.
9. They produce the best coffee in the world
Coffee exports make up the biggest economic success story of Guatemala. It’s
grown in the highlands and mountainous areas of Guatemala, and people
particularly love coffee made from Antiguan beans.
10.Mayan music is much-loved in Guatemala
Guatemalan culture is alive with music and sound, particularly during festivals such
as Semana Santa. Wind and percussion instruments make up the bulk of
Guatemalan instruments. These are usually made of bone and include flutes,
ocarinas and whistles. Percussion instruments include rattles and drums covered
with deer hide.
11.The Garifuna culture is steeped in music

3. The Garifuna live on the Caribbean coastline of Guatemala and into Belize and
Honduras. Their traditions and culture are more influenced by the Caribbean, and
their music is a mix of African-style drumming, circular dancing and rhythmic singing.
12.Ancient Mayan art can still be seen in Guatemala
Usually consisting of large murals and upright carved stones called stelae, Mayan art
can be seen in Quirigua. This town is located in south Guatemala and houses one of
the most impressive collections of Mayan art.
13.Carlos Mérida is Guatemala’s most famous artist
Carlos was born in 1891 and died in 1984 and is probably the best-known artist from
Guatemala. While he trained in Paris, his style mixed all kinds of influences to make
Indigenista art. You can still see some of his murals painted in Guatemala City, with
much of his artwork now housed in the Museum of Modern Art in Guatemala City.
14.Guatemalan textiles are striking and still made in the traditional way
One of the most visually prominent examples of the culture and traditions of
Guatemala can be seen in their textile work. The ancient Mayans worked with white
and brown cotton, mostly creating textiles for the elites. Processing the cotton was
labour intensive and skilled work.
15.Holy Week (Semana Santa) is one of the biggest festivals in Guatemala
Holy Week is taken very seriously in Guatemala, with processions moving from
surrounding villages into Antigua for the whole week. Hours go into making
‘alfombras’ out of sawdust. These are temporary carpets of coloured sawdust that
are strewn over the streets.
16.Each Guatemalan village has its own Patron Saint
Every village holds its own celebration of its particular Patron Saint, which typically
includes folk dances, processions and music.
17.The Day of the Dead is a major celebration every 1 November
Dia de Los Muertos is a yearly celebration of the dead. Held on 1 November every
year, it’s a beautiful and moving celebration of those that have been lost and is a
time of remembrance. Families head to the cemeteries to visit their lost relatives, and
spend time remembering and honouring them.
18.Guatemala has more than 30 volcanoes
Three of these volcanoes are still active, including Pacaya. This volcano is found
near to Guatemala City and is often visited by tourists who want to see the still
flowing lava. Another active volcano in Guatemala is Fuego, which is close to
Antigua and erupts every day.
19.The deepest lake in Central America is in Guatemala
Lake Atitlan is not only the deepest lake in the whole continent but is widely
considered the most beautiful too. Surrounded by volcanoes and villages lived in by

4. indigenous people, the lake is stunning. Around 1100 feet deep, it’s also a great
place for scuba divers to get their high-altitude certifications.
20.Independence Day for Guatemala was in 1821
Guatemala became independent of Spanish rule in September 1821, along with
Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.