Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.
Copal is a name given to tree resin that is particularly identified with the aromatic resins used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as ceremonially burned incense and other purposes. More generally, the term copal describes resinous substances in an intermediate stage of polymerization and hardening between "gummier" resins and amber. The word copal is derived from the Nahuatl language word copalli, meaning "incense". To the pre-Columbian Maya and contemporary Maya peoples it is known in the various Mayan languages as pom (or a close variation thereof), although the word itself has been demonstrated to be a loanword to Mayan from Mixe–Zoquean languages. Copal is still used by a number of indigenous peoples in central America as an incense, during sweat lodge ceremonies and Sacred Mushroom ceremonies. It is available in different forms. The hard, amber-like yellow copal is a less expensive version. The white copal, a hard, milky, sticky substance, is a more expensive version of the same resin. Mayan ladies celebrating the festival of San mateo in Quetzaltenango. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.
Young Mayan girl during the festival of San Mateo. Quezaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.
Mayan Lady and her baby. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.
A small Mayan boy takes part in a catholic procession. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.
Mayan women. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.
Two Mayan women talking in the street. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.
Mayan women taking part in a catholic celebration. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.
Mayans walking along the street. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.
Old lady wearing the traditional head dress from Santiago Atitlan whilst taking part in a catholic procession in the city of Quetzaltenango. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.
In Pre-Columbian times Quetzaltenango was a city of the Mam Maya people called Xelajú, although by the time of the Spanish Conquest it had become part of the K'iche' Kingdom of Q'umarkaj. The name may be derived from "Xe laju' noj" meaning "under ten mountains". The city was said to have already been over 300 years old when the Spanish first arrived. With the help of his allies, Conquistador Pedro de Alvarado defeated and killed the Maya ruler Tecún Umán here. When Alvarado conquered the city for Spain in the 1520s, he called it by the Nahuatl name used by his Central Mexican Indian allies, "Quetzaltenango", generally considered to mean "the place of the quetzal bird". Quetzaltenango became the city's official name in colonial times. However, many people (especially, but not only, the indigenous population) continue to call the city "Xelajú" (pronounced shay-lah-WHO) or more commonly Xela for short, and some proudly, but unofficially, consider it the "capital of the Mayas" Xela, Guatemala, 2014.
For political and economic reasons, the costume of Maya men has changed more over the centuries. Although Maya women commonly wear the traditional huipil, Maya men have adopted more Spanish and modern influenced dress. Some traditional styles have been adapted to modern times. For example, the embroidered loincloth of pre-Colombian times is now worn as a sash or belt. Single men generally wear brighter colored clothes than married men. In some reasons, they wear a less decorated huipil like over shirt. The shirts are decorated differently than women's huipil. Men's belts are woven on a blue or red background, and sometimes decorated. The ends are fringed or have pompons. Wider belts called mecapal are used to carry heavy loads. This cloth or leather strip has ends which are joined together by cord. The cord is used to secure the bundle and the strip is place on the forehead. Men also wear tzute, decorated with embroidery and worn over the shoulder. Men also wear hats, especially for ceremonial events, which vary by region. Some are straw hats decorated by ribbons or pompons. Men do not wear jewelry, but they carry a bag called a morral. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.