Travel Guatemala by Martsam Travel

Guatemalan Feast

All Saints Day

Part # 2

The Animas in Cuchumatanes:

Preparations

The days before the celebration they prepare the road where the race will be held. They take the horses and get the marimbas that will be used during the celebration and the dancing.

On October 30 burnings are conducted, these are rituals asking permission to Mother Nature for the use of horses, people who are not native to the land that will be involved in the horse races.

On October 31 a special ritual is performed for the riders and their families. They dance to the rhythm of the marimba and share with their loved ones. It’s sort of a farewell, as they know they can face death the next day. If the rider survives, it’s a triumph. If the rider dies, it’s a sacrifice.

During these days they prepare food to be carried to the cemetery to share with their ancestors.

The Feast

The race of the animas

It is uncertain the reason for the practice of this race. It’s not a competition, it’s an exhibition. The locals claim it is a sacrifice.

The race of the animas are done on a stretch of 200 meters.The riders ride the horses at the end of the

stretch and return, they repeat this process over and over. They drink brandy before and during the race, they wear their distinctive traditional clothing, one of the few outfits which are still preserved in the communities of Mayan descent.

There are many visitors, both from the surrounding areas and abroad. The race is interrupted at midday for lunch.

The families share food and rum. During the afternoon the activity continues at that time the alcohol effect is already evident in the participants.

The risk of falling under the hooves of the horses increases, but the tradition states that if there is any death during the race the next year there will be luck.

COLORS OF THE REGION

Todos Santos Cuchumatán is a municipality composed of individuals rooted to their past proudly carrying their traditional clothing. This is what makes them different from other regions, where the red and purple hues decorated with original hats are highlighted during the celebration.

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