Guatemala History, Language and Culture
History of Guatemala
People have lived in present-day Guatemala for thousands of years. The earliest inhabitants were hunter-gatherers. Farming communities developed later, and early Maya culture began to take shape by around 2000 BC. Over time, the Maya built one of the great civilisations of the ancient Americas, with advanced systems of writing, mathematics, astronomy, calendars and government.
Large cities such as Tikal, El Mirador and Yaxhá grew across the northern lowlands. Many declined after about AD 900, possibly because of warfare, drought, political instability and pressure on natural resources. Maya civilisation did not disappear, and strong kingdoms continued elsewhere in the region.
Spanish forces led by Pedro de Alvarado entered Guatemala in 1524. European weapons, local alliances and diseases helped them defeat several Maya kingdoms, although resistance continued in remote areas for generations. Guatemala later became the centre of Spain's government in Central America.
Guatemala declared independence from Spain in 1821. It briefly joined the Mexican Empire and later became part of the United Provinces of Central America. After that federation collapsed, Guatemala became an independent republic in 1847.
Coffee became an important export during the late 19th century. Governments supported large plantations, but many Indigenous communities lost their land. Wealth and political power became concentrated among a small number of landowners.
A popular uprising ended the dictatorship of Jorge Ubico in 1944. The following decade brought democratic elections and social reforms. In 1954, however, a force supported by the United States Central Intelligence Agency removed President Jacobo Árbenz after his land reforms affected powerful landowners and the US-based United Fruit Company.
Civil war began in 1960 between government forces and left-wing guerrilla groups. The conflict lasted 36 years and left around 200,000 people dead or missing. Most victims were Indigenous Maya civilians, and a later United Nations-backed investigation found that acts of genocide had been committed against several Maya communities.
Peace agreements signed in 1996 ended the war and promised political reform and greater Indigenous rights. Guatemala has since held regular elections, but corruption, organised crime, and inequality remain serious problems.
Did you know?
• The ancient Maya developed the concept of zero independently, using a shell-shaped symbol to represent it.
• Guatemala's currency is named after the resplendent quetzal, the country's national bird and an ancient Maya symbol of freedom.
• The Maya temples of Tikal appeared as the rebel base on Yavin 4 in the original Star Wars film.
Guatemala Culture
Religion in Guatemala
Christianity is the principal religion. Approximately 40% of the population is Evangelical or Protestant, while around 39% is Roman Catholic. About 18% of the population has no religious affiliation, and the remainder follows other faiths.
Traditional Maya beliefs remain important in many Indigenous communities and are sometimes practised alongside Christianity. Maya ceremonies may involve offerings, incense, prayer and sacred sites associated with mountains, caves and the natural world.
Social Conventions in Guatemala
Guatemalans are generally courteous and place importance on greetings and respectful behaviour. A handshake is appropriate when meeting someone for the first time, while friends may greet one another with a kiss on the cheek. Saying buenos días, buenas tardes or buenas noches before beginning a conversation is appreciated.
Use Señor, Señora or a professional title until invited to use first names. Don and Doña, followed by a first name, are respectful forms of address commonly used for older people or community figures.
Dress is generally informal but neat. More modest clothing is appropriate in rural and Indigenous communities and when visiting churches or religious ceremonies. Visitors should behave respectfully at Maya sacred sites and should not touch offerings or enter ceremonial areas without permission.
Ask permission before photographing people, particularly children, market traders and residents wearing traditional Maya clothing. Permission is especially important during religious ceremonies, funerals and community events. Some people may decline or request a small payment. Observe photography restrictions at churches, museums and archaeological sites, and avoid photographing police, military personnel or security installations.
A tip of around 10% is customary in restaurants if service is not already included. Hotel porters may be given Q10 to Q20 per bag, while housekeeping staff appreciate around Q10 to Q20 per room per day. Tips for guides and drivers are discretionary and should reflect the length and quality of the service. Taxi drivers do not normally expect a tip, although passengers may round up the fare.
Smoking is prohibited in enclosed public places, including restaurants, bars, workplaces and public transport. Enforcement can vary, but visitors should observe no-smoking signs and ask before smoking near other people or in a private home.
Language in Guatemala
Spanish is the official language and is spoken throughout Guatemala. The country also recognises 22 Maya languages, as well as Garifuna and Xinka, as national languages. The most widely spoken Maya languages include K'iche', Q'eqchi', Kaqchikel and Mam.
Maya languages are most commonly heard in the western and northern highlands, while Garifuna is spoken mainly along the Caribbean coast, particularly around Lívingston. Xinka is spoken by a small number of people in southeastern Guatemala.
English is understood at many hotels, tour operators and visitor attractions in Guatemala City, Antigua, around Lake Atitlán and in other established tourist areas. It is less widely spoken in rural communities, where some residents may speak a Maya language as their first language and have limited Spanish.
