Acts of Faith in Guatemala

1. Ciudad Vieja de Guatemala. First Capital city. Founded by don Pedro de Alvarado in the Almolonga valley in the year 1527. It was destroyed by a flood. View of the cemetery with the Volcan de Fuego (Fire Volcano) in eruption. (photo by Maria Cristina Orive)

2, 3. Coban. Families usually spend the Day of Holy Deads in the cemetery. There they make a circle round the grave of their relatives and chat, eat and keep them company. (photo by Maria Cristina Orive)

4. Ciudad Vieja (Old City). "Gigantes" (giants) ready for a "convite" (invitation) a danced procession that takes place a day before the religious procession. (photo by Sara Facio)

5. San Andrés Itzapa. In this town San Simon is revered. This character has been considered an "evil image" in Catholicism as he is "Judas Iscariote". The natives adopted him, for in their cults they also used to make offerings to the "evil gods" to calm their anger. San Simon is an idol who takes the name "Maximon" in other towns. (photo by Maria Cristina Orive)

6. Facsimile of the prayer to San Simon handed out at the entrance door to worshippers who go into the Temple.

7. San Andrés Iztapa. San Simon Temple. Detail of votive offerings. (photo by Maria Cristina Orive)

8. Santiago Atitlan. Interior view of the Municipality and funeral wake of Maximon. (photo by Maria Cristina Orive)

9. San Jorge Atitlan. Brotherhood members. (photo by Sara Facio)

10. Santa Maria Chiquimula. Dance of the Conquest. The descendants of the Mayas do not forget the battle in wich their Prince was subdued by the Spaniards and they relive it in every important festivity. They maintain their traditions with fervour and insist in the belief that they will reign again. Masks and costumes are real works of art. (photo by Sara Facio)

11. Santiago Atitlan. The Maximon is taken from his house. (photo by Maria Cristina Orive)

12. Antigua Guatemala. Worshippers dressed as Nazarenes walk before the image of "Jesus del Perdon" (Jesus of Forgiveness) burning incense in the streets. (photo by Sara Facio)

13. San Jorge Atitlan. The Brotherhood members work for a year serving the Church and the community. They take turns in doing this; meanwhile the neighbours look after their crops. (photo by Sara Facio)

14. San Jorge Atitlan. Image of San Jorge during a procession preceded by musicians and worshippers. (photo by Maria Cristina Orive)

15. Chichicastenango. Marimba player. (photo by Sara Facio)

16. Chichicastenango. Local dwellers burn "pon" (vegetal incense) in the steps to the Church. The smoke rises to the sky taking the worshippers' prayers to the gods. (photos by Maria Cristina Orive and Sara Facio)