Google Map To Guatemala Highlands, Guatemala.
Map Centered On Lake Atitlán (Lago de Atitlán)
The Highlands Is The Area For About 75 Miles
In Any Direction From Lake Atitlán.

Google Map To Chichicastenango, Guatemala Highlands, Guatemala.
Map Centered On Iglesia de Santo Tomás-Chichicastenango.
Redish-brown Roofed Building, Bottom Left Of White Roofed Building.

Google Map Centered On Shrine of Pascual Abaj, Chichicastenango, Guatemala Highlands, Guatemala.

Church Of Santo Tomás. Chichicastenango, Guatemala Highlands, Guatemala.
Shrine of Pascual Abaj, Honors The Mayan Earth God A Short Walk Up The Hill Outside Of Chichicastenango. NOTE: Honey & Burned Incense Resin Offerings. Bees Eating The Honey.

The Guatemalan Highlands is an upland region in southern Guatemala, lying between the Sierra Madre de Chiapas to the south and the Petén lowlands to the north. The highland are made up of a series of high valleys enclosed by mountains. The native name for the region is Altos, meaning highlands, which includes the northern declivity of the Sierra Madre. The mean elevation is greatest in the west (Altos of Quezaltenango) and least in the east (Altos of Guatemala). Chichicastenango: Chichicastenango, which is also known as Santo Tomás Chichicastenango, is a town in the El Quiché department of Guatemala. Chichicastenango, sort of means, ”surrounded by ravines.” It is pronounced as (chē"chēkästānäng'gō). We never could pronounce it correctly so we just called the towns name as everyone else did; “Chichi”. Chichi is located near the crests of several mountaintops at an altitude of about 6,448 feet according to our GPS. Chichi is less than an hour drive from Lake Atitlán The Spanish conquistadors gave the town its name from the Nahuatl name used by their soldiers from Tlaxcala, Mexico: Tzitzicaztenanco, or City of Nettles. Its original name was Chaviar. Chichicastenango is now best known today for its display of the traditional K'iche' Mayan culture. After visiting Chichicastenango and seeing how strong the people still cling to the ancient ways, we have to agree. Probably the best time to visit if you have only a short time to see the area is during Chichicastenango’s Market Days on Thursdays and Sundays. During Market Days local people from the surrounding small communities come to Chichicastenango where they and the local vendors sell handicrafts, food, flowers, pottery, wooden boxes, condiments, medicinal plants, candles, pom and copal (traditional incense), cal (lime stones for preparing tortillas), grindstones, pigs and chickens, machetes, and other tools. Located in the central part of the market plaza are comedores (small eateries). Since Chichicastenango has so many tourists, the local people have learned their many foreign languages such as English, French, German, and others. The people of Chichicastenango are very warm, friendly, and well-accustomed to the many foreigners who visit their weekly markets. Their deep religious spirit is reflected not only in their own behavior, but in their treatment of others. They follow “The Golden Rule”. There is virtually no crime; you can sleep with your doors and windows open to enjoy the cool, crisp evening breeze. Their religion today seems to be a combination of Mayan and Christian elements. There is the parish church of Santo Tomás on one end of the Plaza and the El Calvario church, at opposite end of the Plaza. Next to the parish church is the old Dominican Monastery which dates back to 1542; in it the Popol Vuh or more correctly spelled, Popol Wuj; a well-known Mayan manuscript, was copied by the Friar Francisco Ximénez in about 1,701 – 1,703 A.D. Roman Catholic Church Of Santo Tomás: The 400-year old church of Santo Tomás is actually built over a Pre-Columbian platform, and the steps originally leading to a temple of the pre-Hispanic Mayans remain venerated to this day. The Mayans still use the church for their rituals, including the burning incense and candles. In special cases, they even burn a chicken for the gods. Each of the 18 steps of the original temple that leads up to the church door, stands for one month of the Maya calendar year. The 400-year old church of Santo Tomás is built atop a Pre-Columbian platform, and the steps originally leading to a temple of the pre-Hispanic Maya civilization remain venerated. Shamans still use the church for their rituals, burning incense and candles. In special cases, they burn a chicken for the gods. Each of the 18 stairs that lead up to the church stands for one month of the Maya calendar year. Shrine of Pascual Abaj, The Mayan Earth God: Just a short walk from the church of Santo Tomás from the center of Chichicastenango, there is a wooded hill. At the top of the hill there is a shrine with a carved head and face, known as Pascual Abaj. Abaj means ancient rock. On almost a daily basis, the Mayan Aj'kun (shaman, prayer maker, native priest) not to be confused with Aj'itz (witch, sorcerer, evil magician); perform various rites there. These Mayan priests and priestesses performing ceremonies for all kinds of help: to bless a marriage, to pray for a good harvest, to give thanks for a good harvest, to remedy a problem; such as preventing thieves from stealing your crops. Hotel Mayan Inn: We spent the night at the Hotel Mayan Inn in Chichicastenango. It was very nice. Sort of like a bed and breakfast. It is not 5 star, but they try to give you a great experience. We can say that they welcome you into the old world of Spanish Colonial Times in a modern day inn. It is located in the center of Chichicastenango. Chichicastenango has its own web site, so we have incluced a link to their very informative website at the bottom of this page. Also, Ohio State University, who has a copy of the Popol Wuj (Popol Vuh), in their possession; has provided an on line copy of the Popol Wuj for your reading. We also have a link at the bottom of this page to their online copy of the Popol Wuj.

Terrace Farming Methods	Near Chichicastenango
Church Of Santo Tomás Chichicastenango	Catholic Church Of Santo Tomás Mayan Offerings To Mayan Gods!
The Market Is Set Up In Front Of The Church Of Santo Tomás Chichicastenango	The Market Is Taken Down At Evening The Church Of Santo Tomás Chichicastenango
The Mayan Inn, Where We Stayed Court Yard Of The Hotel	View From Our Room At The Mayan Inn
The Mayan Inn Court Yard	The Mayan Inn Garden
Audrey DeLange Climbs A High Hill To Visit A Mayan Shrine	George & Audrey DeLange At The Shrine Said To Be Thousands Of Years Old!
Shrine of Pascual Abaj, Honors The Mayan Earth God On Hill Outside Of Chichicastenango	Shrine of Pascual Abaj, Said To Be Thousands Of Years Old Is Often Worshiped Today By Mayans
Purchase Your Masks Directly From Luis Ricardo Ignacio V. The Owner Of The Mask Factory Below The Hill That leads To The Shrine Of Pascual Abaj	He Creates Mayan Dress According To Ancient Designs Passed Down He Uses High Quality Materials Much Better Than Sold On The Streets Telephones 756-1945, 756-2175