Expert: Pancho - 11/26/2001

Question
I have adopted 3 children from guatemala. Is there a list of Guatemalan holidays for children? I would like to do something here along those lines. Many thanks, Bob

Answer
November 27, 2001

Dear Bob,

What a wonderful thing to have taken three Guatemalan children as your own!  Nevertheless, I must say that of all the questions I've received on that country, this is perhaps the most difficult to answer.

You didn't mention the ages of the children, so what I can share will be variable according to their maturity.  However, from birth Guatemalan children are made to know they are special, that they are loved, and this is especially made evident on special occasions.

I'm not aware of specific "holidays for children" in Guatemala.  On the other hand, certain events are very special to them.  As you know, Guatemala is predominantly and historically a Catholic society, and most holidays are centered around the Christian calendar.  Christmas is an extended holiday period, as is Easter.  The week before Easter, "holy week," is a time for particular celebrating, with "alfombras" or special carpets designed for parades.  Children in Guatemala like to make their own little carpets on sidewalks or patios, using flowers, colored rocks, even chalk.

Other than religious holidays, New Years and birthdays are times of special celebration.  Families typically go together for a New Years celebration, somewhere outside the home.  It may be to mountains, beach, or just to a campground.  Point is, it's family time, with lots of togetherness.

Birthdays are always special.  It's a time for extended feasting and partying, with special friends included as well as extended family.  Honoring the person is given higher priority than presents as such, although presents are included.

And as I'm sure you know, Guatemalans like other Ladinos are known for the affectionate "abrazo" or hug with pats on the back.  These are exchanged between all friends and family, more vigorously between men and boys of course, a bit more delicately with women and girls.  The abrazo is especially prevalent and repeated on festive occasions.

Now all of the above is much more evident among the affluent.  Unfortunately, a majority of the Guatemalan population is in poverty, and although they may make some pretense of celebration, it is not nearly so evident or elaborate.

As your little ones are able to read, and to manipulate the computer, take them to some of the many websites that expose them to their birth-society.  If you will raise them to be bi-lingual, they can sharpen their Spanish with Guatemalan newspapers. I like to keep up with national news, plus get language practice, by reading a local paper online.  Favorite is Prensa Libre <prensalibre.com>.  Another good one is Veintiuno <veintiuno.com>.  To surf for greater variety, go to Yahoo and follow these links:  Travel - Central America - Guatemala - Travel Resources - Guatemala en Español. Lots of links in Spanish from there.  Also at previous link there's - Guatemala in English.  Can't imagine you'd want more :-)

Incidentally, if you yourself scan these papers with some regularity, you'll undoubtedly find more about holidays and celebrations than I've been able to tell you!

There's also another website called ¿que pasa?, which is for more than just Guatemala <quepasa.com> -- but it's hard to get into -- you'll keep getting error messages, but maybe you'll get lucky.

Well, Bob, hope this isn't disappointing not to have more child-specific holiday information from me.  But what I've told you is the best I know on this subject!  If you have other, more specific questions, please ask.  Write directly to <midnamego> if you wish.

         ¡Hasta Luego!
         Pancho (aka midnamego)