In Guatemala, it is believed that the main reason for social violence in the country was men’s consumption of alcohol, caused by intra-family conflict, family disintegration, parental example, poverty and lack of employment. Here a man walks past an abandoned Alcoholic Anonymous centre. San Francisco El Alto, Guatemala, 2014.
The huipil has been worn by indigenous women of the Mesoamerican region (central Mexico into Central America) of both high and low social rank since well before the arrival of the Spanish to the Americas. It remains the most common female indigenous garment still in use. It is most often seen in the Mexican states of Chiapas, Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Campeche, Hidalgo, Michoacán (where it is called a huanengo), Veracruz and Morelos . In Central America it is most often used among the Mayas in Guatemala. After the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire and subsequent Spanish expansion, the huipil endured but it evolved, incorporating elements from other regions and Europe. Mayan woman making her own Huipil. Santa Maria De Jesus, Guatemala, 2014.
There are approximately 5 million Catholics in Guatemala, which is about 50-60% of the total population.There is no state religion in Guatemala, however the Guatemalan Constitution recognizes the legitimacy of the Roman Catholic Church. The constitution also provides freedom of religion to all of its citizens, and the government protects and honors this law. Although the Roman Catholic Church is the only religion recognized by the Guatemalan Constitution, any other religious affiliation can file a copy of its bylaws and a list of its initial membership to the Ministry of Government in order to receive recognition. Young man in his market stall selling everything catholic. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 2014.