K'iche'

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' also denotes the traditional language of the K'iche' people. This language is still spoken in most K'iche' communities, but many community members speak Spanish as well or in place of K'iche'.

History

In pre-Columbian times, the Quiché were one of the most powerful states in the region. They bordered the Cakchiquel.

The Quiché were conquered by the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. Their last king, Tecún Umán, who was killed by Alvarado, remains a folk-hero and figure of legend. Umán died fighting Alvarado's army at the valley of Quetzaltenango, where as many as 10,000 Quiché lost their lives. After the battle, the Quiché surrendered and invited Alvarado to their capital, Gumarcaj, however Alvarado suspected an ambush and had the city burned. The ruins of the city can still be seen, just a short distance from Santa Cruz del Quiché.

The Popol Vuh, the most extensive and complete pre-Columbian literary text known today, tells how the world and humans were created by the gods, the story of the divine brothers, and the history of the Quiché from their migration into their homeland up to the Spanish conquest.

Religion

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.