Photo Gallery

Typical landscape of the central mountainous sierra of Guatemala. Working the land has a sacred meaning for the Indians. Fields of crops are spread wherever the land is fertile and the climatic conditions are favourable. However, the indigenous people have always limited themselves to subsistence farming, because the land is meant to feed people, not to make them rich. Intensive farming would impoverish the soil, which would be in contradiction with the reverence for the land. - 1977

Typical landscape of the central mountainous sierra of Guatemala. Working the land has a sacred meaning for the Indians. Fields of crops are spread wherever the land is fertile and the climatic conditions are favourable. However, the indigenous people have always limited themselves to subsistence farming, because the land is meant to feed people, not to make them rich. Intensive farming would impoverish the soil, which would be in contradiction with the reverence for the land. - 1977

Friday market in San Francisco El Alto in the department of Totonicapán, Guatemala. From the 16th century onwards, the Spanish introduced domestic animals unknown to the natives into the Americas, but which they began to breed for their own use. Cows, sheep, goats and pigs became common. Pigs rose to prominence during the colonial period and became a desirable source of income in many areas. In the lower regions, pigs are fed on bananas or cassava (palm lilies). They roam freely in the streets of towns and supplement their diet with whatever is available to them. However, in the mountainous areas of Guatemala, these animals are raised for the production of lard, which is sold to mestizos and whites. - 1977

Young Mayan woman at the Friday market in San Francisco El Alto in the department of Totonicapán, Guatemala. Following the example of their ancestors from pre-Columbian times, Mayan women today still carry everything on their heads, the laundry they washed at the river, the fruits, utensils, edibles and small pets they want to sell at the market. - 1977

The Friday market in San Francisco El Alto in the department of Totonicapán starts early in the morning. Those who have travelled a long way to visit the market like to go to one of the stalls to eat something. - 1977

Washerwomen on the way to Totonicapán. - 1977

Little Mayan girl from Totonicapán. - 1977

Indian women in San Cristóbal de Totonicapán, in the department of the same name, Guatemala. The life of the indigenous people is marked by the excellent relations that exist between the different members of the community. The most arduous tasks await each of them. But the women know how to give themselves a moment's respite. They take advantage of this time to talk with their neighbours about a wide range of topics, and to confide in them about their families and their problems. - 1977

Following the example of their ancestors from pre-Columbian times, Mayan women today still carry everything on their heads, the laundry they washed at the river, the fruits, utensils, edibles and small pets they want to sell at the market. To do so, they use magnificent baskets made by the artisans of their community. The youngest child of the family accompanies his mother on all walks. Thus, even at a very tender age, he takes part in all the events of daily life. The picture was taken in Totonicapán. - 1977