Semana Santa in Guatemala
Posted on March 30, 2010 By Julie
Whether you are religious or not, Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Latin America is a special experience.
It is especially so in Guatemala where thousands of people gather to watch 7,000 pound Andas (platforms) carrying the figures of Jesus Christ hoisted by 80 male members of the local church slowly make its way through the streets. This is the scene we witnessed on Sunday as Las andas del Señor de la Merced transversed the small cobblestoned streets of Antigua, Guatemala. The people’s faith, devotion and dedication to their religion is beyond moving and one is swept away by the spectacle. Since hundreds of events, processions, services and celebrations are planned, every day of Semaña Santa brings new cultural adventure. Apart from the Roman Catholic observance the indigenous Mayan culture puts their own spin on this holiest of weeks in communities near and surrounding Lago de Atitlan in Guatemala’s Western Highlands by presenting procession in honor of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and some of their own unique gods. Foremost among these is Maximon, who according to Wikipedia is considered a form of the pre-Columbian Maya god Mam, blended with influences from the Catholicism of the Spanish Conquistadors. Practically everyone you speak to will give you a different story of his origin and powers, but all agree this cigarette-smoking, spirit-drinking, marimba-dancing deity makes a better friend than an enemy and do their best to garner his favor. We discovered him and his followers deep in preparation for the Semaña Santa festivities in the lakeside town of San Lucas Tolimán. Travelscope began our Semana Santa adventure in Antigua on Palm Sunday and after traveling to Guatemala City and the Western Highlands will not be leaving until the story is finally told this Easter Sunday in Antigua. You’ll be able to witness our experiences when our Guatemala Semana Santa episode airs as part of Season V of Travelscope scheduled for broadcast in 2011. Happy Traveling!
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