K'iche': Difference between revisions

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'''K'iche' ''' (or '''Quiché''') refers to one of the largest ethnically [[Maya peoples|Maya]] groups of Central America.  The K'iche' live in the highlands of [[Guatemala]] to the north and the west of Lake Atitlán, primarily in the departments of [[Quetzaltenango (department)|Quetzaltenango]], [[Totonicapán (department)|Totonicapan]], and [[Quiché (department)|El Quiché]].  
'''K'iche' ''' (or '''Quiché''') refers to one of the largest ethnically [[Maya peoples|Maya]] groups of Central America.  The K'iche' live in the highlands of [[Guatemala]] to the north and the west of Lake Atitlán, primarily in the departments of [[Quetzaltenango (department)|Quetzaltenango]], [[Totonicapán (department)|Totonicapan]], and [[Quiché (department)|El Quiché]].  
[[Image:Kiche.jpg|frame|K'iche' family at their home in San Andrés Xecul, Totonicapan]]


'''K'iche' ''' also denotes the [[Quiché language|traditional language]] of the K'iche' people.  This language is still spoken in most K'iche' communities, but many community members also speak Spanish and some do not speak K'iche' at all.
'''K'iche' ''' also denotes the [[Quiché language|traditional language]] of the K'iche' people.  This language is still spoken in most K'iche' communities, but many community members also speak Spanish and some do not speak K'iche' at all.

Revision as of 19:36, 18 January 2007

K'iche' (or Quiché) refers to one of the largest ethnically Maya groups of Central America. The K'iche' live in the highlands of Guatemala to the north and the west of Lake Atitlán, primarily in the departments of Quetzaltenango, Totonicapan, and El Quiché.

K'iche' family at their home in San Andrés Xecul, Totonicapan

K'iche' also denotes the traditional language of the K'iche' people. This language is still spoken in most K'iche' communities, but many community members also speak Spanish and some do not speak K'iche' at all.

History

Religion

Traditional Maya religious custom, or costumbre, is a syncretic conglomeration of pre-Columbian traditions and Catholicism. It combines devotion to the Catholic saints and celebrations of the Catholic festivals with traditional dances and elaborate ceremonies conducted at ceremonial sites (or taab'al ) that are scattered throughout the surrounding mountains.

Evangelical Protestantism has become increasingly strong since its arrival in the region in the 1970s.

Clothing

As in many Maya groups, clothing carries a lot of meaning for the K'iche'.