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Cuban children, Santiago De Cuba, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban children of Castro, Santiago De Cuba, Cuba

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Old Cuban woman with Statue of Santa Barbara, Trinidad, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Sgra. Rosa Alisa Fraga sitting in her home praying with Rosary beads and Statue of Santa Barbara, Trinidad, Cuba. Sgra. Fraga sits in her room all day watching over the statue and prays. She tells the story of the Santa Barbara statue with passion. I asked Sgra. Fraga why she has this statue in her home, she explained, "In this story there was a civilian sanatorium for tuberculosis. When this system of communism triumphed the government took over this sanatorium in Havana called Esperanza. Since the military in Cuba cannot be Christians, and the statue was in the sanatorium, Commander Fagardo of the military forces of Fidel collected the religious items and sent them to the church. But the church was already full, so they were sent to various homes to be guarded until a church has room. I am responsible for her (Santa Barbara) and when they come to look for her, she must be inthe same condition as when they brought her here." She then asked "Your house doesn't have any?" Santa Barbara is an Early Christian martyr and patroness of artillerymen, arsenals and in Spanish refers to a ship's weapon storage facility. Santa Barbara is also considered an Afro-Cuban deity (Santa Barbara-Changó), goddes of thunder and explosions. Trinidad is a national monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Cuban musician with saxophone, Matanzas, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Young Cuban boy musician playing saxophone, Matanzas, Cuba

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Cuban boy with baseball glove, Santiago De Cuba, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban boy playing baseball in Santiago De Cuba, Cuba

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Cuban boy, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Young Cuban boy and Old American car, Santiago de Cuba, Santiago De Cuba Province, Cuba

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Cuban boy, Santiago De Cuba, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban boy sitting on stairs, Santiago De Cuba, Cuba

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Cuban boy and Che Guevara billboard, Cienfuegos, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban boy with Che Guevara billboard, "Until Victory Always", Cienfuegos, Cuba

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Cuban woman, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara portraits, Matanzas, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban woman with Fidel Castro and Che Guevara portraits, Matanzas, Cuba

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Young Cuban boy on chair, Matanzas, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Young Cuban boy sitting on chair, Matanzas, Cuba

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Cuban girls with hula-hoops, Trinidad, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Young Cuban girls playing with hula-hoops, Trinidad, Cuba

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Cuban men playing dominoes, Santiago De Cuba, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban men playing dominoes on the streets of Santiago De Cuba, Cuba

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Cubans praying at home altar, Trinidad, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cubans praying at home altar inside of German explorer Alexander von Humboldt's house, Trinidad, Cuba

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Cuban home altar with Christ on Crucifix, Trinidad, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Home altar inside of German explorer Alexander von Humboldt's house, Trinidad, Cuba

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Tropicana Nightclub showgirls dancing, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Tropicana Nightclub and Cabaret showgirls, Havana, Cuba

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Tropicana Nightclub showgirls dancing, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Tropicana Nightclub and Cabaret showgirls, Havana, Cuba

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Tropicana Nightclub showgirls dancing, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Tropicana Nightclub and Cabaret showgirls, Havana, Cuba

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Tropicana Nightclub showgirl dancing, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Tropicana Nightclub and Cabaret showgirl, Havana, Cuba

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Tropicana Nightclub showgirls, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Tropicana Nightclub Cabaret showgirls, Havana, Cuba

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Cuban street musician playing guitar, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban street musician plays his guitar in Havana, Cuba

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Cuban woman smoking cigar, Escambray Mountains, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban woman smoking a puro or cigar, Escambray Mountains, Cuba

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Cuban woman roasting coffee beans, Escambray Mountains, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban woman roasting coffee beans and smoking a puro or cigar, Escambray Mountains, Cuba

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Cuban woman's hand holds roasted coffee beans, Escambray Mountains, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban woman's hand holding roasting coffee beans, Escambray Mountains, Cuba

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Cuban cigars at Partagás Cigar Factory, Havana Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban cigars, Partagas Cigar Factory, Havana, Cuba

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Cuban man making cigars, Partagas cigar factory, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban man making cigars at Partagas cigar factory in Havana, Cuba

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Cuban Campesino man, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Cuban Campesino man on truck, Cuba

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Cuban signs, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Hotel Imperial and El Mundo Infantil (infants world). Havana, Cuba

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Havana from De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro or El Morro Fort, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of View of Havana from De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro or El Morro Fort built between 1588 and 1630. Havana, Cuba

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El Malecón or The Malecon, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of View of El Malecón or The Malecon, Havana, Cuba

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Classic American car - Cuban taxi, Havana, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Front bumper detail of a Classic American car taxi in Havana, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba

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Old Cuban truck carrying Cuban people, Cienfuegos, Cuba

CAPTION: Photograph of Truck carrying Cuban people, near Cienfuegos, Cuba

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Hoku Canoes on Lago Atitlan, Santiago Atitlan, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Maya man going fishing paddles a Hoku canoe on Lago Atitlan, San Pedro Volcano in baclground. Santiago Atitlan Village, Lago Atitlan or Lake Atitlan, Department of Sololá, Guatemala.

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Tzutujil Mayan women on pier, Lago Atitlan. Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan women gather water from a peir on Lake Atitlan while fishermen in Hoku canoes fish on Lago Atitlan. Santiago Atitlan village, Lake Atitlan, Department of Sololá, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayas washing, Lake Atitlan, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan women wash in Lago Atitlan near Santiago Atitlan village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayas washing, Lago Atitlan, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan women wearing traditional costumes called huipiles wash in Lago Atitlan near Santiago Atitlan village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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San Pedro volcano, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of San Pedro volcano at sunset with a jaguar-god like cloud over Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America.

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Mayan ritual for Mayan god Maximon, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan ritual for the Mayan god called Maximon (San Simon). The Tzutujil Maya people offer the idol various things like alcohol, cigarettes, and money to appease the Mayan effigy that stands between the Tzutujil Mayan shamans. Santiago Atitlan Village, Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Mayan ritual for Mayan god Maximon, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan ritual for the Mayan god called Maximon (San Simon). The Tzutujil Maya people offer the idol various things like alcohol, cigarettes, and money to appease the Mayan effigy that stands between the Tzutujil Mayan shamans. Santiago Atitlan Village, Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan woman spinning textile, Las Artesanas de San Juan, San Juan la Laguna, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Maya woman spinning textile at Las Artesanas de San Juan in San Juan la Laguna Village on Lago Atitlan. San Juan la Laguna Village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan woman weaving textile, Las Artesanas de San Juan, San Juan la Laguna, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Maya woman weaving textile on a wooden loom at Las Artesanas de San Juan in San Juan la Laguna Village on Lago Atitlan. San Juan la Laguna Village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America.

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Tzutujil Mayan woman and child weaving textiles, Las Artesanas de San Juan, San Juan la Laguna, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Maya woman weaving textile with a backstrap loom at Las Artesanas de San Juan weaving co-operative in San Juan la Laguna Village on Lago Atitlan. San Juan la Laguna Village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan woman weaving textile, Las Artesanas de San Juan, San Juan la Laguna, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Maya woman weaving textile with a backstrap loom at Las Artesanas de San Juan weaving co-operative in San Juan la Laguna Village on Lago Atitlan. San Juan la Laguna Village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan girl, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Maya girl in Santiago Atitlan village on Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan woman in traditional costume, Santiago Atitlan market, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Maya woman wearing a traditional huipile with a xk'op (or a tocoyal), which is a very long colourful belt, wrapped around the woman's head. Santiago Atitlan village market on Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Maya girl, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Tzutujil Maya girl in Santiago Atitlan village on Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Maya girl in village market, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Tzutujil Maya girl in a crowd in the Santiago Atitlan village market on Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Maya girl, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Tzutujil Maya girl in Santiago Atitlan village on Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan boys, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan boy with a Harley Davidson T-shirt. Santiago Atitlan village, Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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PAN political party signs, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of PAN political party signs in Santiago Atitlan Village, Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Site of December 1 1990 massacre, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Spirit at Santiago Atitlan village on Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America. Site of December 1, 1990 massacre in Santiago Atitlan village. A military base was set-up in Santiago Atitlan to control the guerrillas. The army terrorizes, tortures and kills innocent villagers whom the military select at random. After years of this, on the night of December 1, 1990, two drunken soldiers shot and killed an innocent villager. This generated a group of around two thousand Mayas to approach the army base. The soldiers opened fire killing thirteen people including three children and wounded twenty more people. After this massacre around twenty thousand Mayas signed a petition and protested to expel the army. This pressure made the army leave Lago Atitlan. Santiago Atitlan was the first Maya village to expel the army.

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Banishing with smoke during the Semana Santa procession - Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America. The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religous effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America.

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Procession participants in cloud of smoke during Semana Santa procession - Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religous effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Holy Week devotees carrying an Anda with religious effigies, Semana Santa procession - Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America. The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Holy Week devotees carrying an Anda with religious effigies, Semana Santa procession - Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Holy Week devotees carrying an Anda with religious effigies, Semana Santa procession or Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa procession - Carrying an Anda - Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa procession - women carrying an Anda - Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Carrying an Anda during Semana Santa procession or Holy Week processions, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan man carrying an Anda during Semana Santa Processions or Holy Week Processions, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan men carrying an Anda during Semana Santa Processions or Holy Week Processions, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan men carry an Anda at Semana Santa Processions or Holy Week Processions, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan men carrying an Anda, Semana Santa Processions, Holy Week Processions, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa procession tapestry of flowers and dyes, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Procession participants in cloud of smoke during Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Carrying an Anda over tapestry of flowers and dyes, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan man carries an Anda over tapestry of flowers and dyes, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan men carrying an Anda during Semana Santa processions, Holy Week processions, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan man wearing costume for Semana Santa processions - Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan man in costume for Semana Santa processions - Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan Catholic priest carries an Anda over tapestry of flowers and dyes, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan Catholic priest carrying an Anda, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Catholic priest carrying an Anda, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Catholic priest carries an Anda, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Guatemalan women carrying an Anda, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Statue of Jesus, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Statue of Jesus. Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Statue of Mary, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Statue of Mary crying. Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Statue of Mary, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Statue of Mary crying. Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Arco di Santa Catalina Martir, Anitgua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Arco di Santa Catalina Martir with Agua Volcano. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America.

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Arco di Santa Catalina Martir, Anitgua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Arco di Santa Catalina Martir with Agua Volcano. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America.

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Cakchiquel woman selling textiles, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Cakchiquel mayan woman selling textiles at the Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Cakchiquel woman with gold stars in teeth, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Cakchiquel woman smilling with gold stars embedded in her teeth in Antigua Guatemala, Semana Santa procession or Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayans dance wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing Spanish masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayans dance wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing Spanish masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayans wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish dancing Baila Del Torito, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing Spanish masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayans wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish dancing Baila Del Torito, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing Spanish masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayans wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish dancing Baila Del Torito, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing Spanish masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayans dancing Baila Del Torito wear costumes mimicking Colonialists, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing Spanish masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Fiesta De San Tomas Palo Volador, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Palo Volador during the Fiesta De San Tomas in front of Church of Santo Tomas. Quiche Mayans wearing Spanish masks and costumes mimicking monkeys spin around the pole and their ropes unravel form the pole on each turn and lower them to the ground. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Palo Volador at Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Palo Volador during the Fiesta De San Tomas in front of Church of Santo Tomas. Quiche Mayans wearing Spanish masks and costumes mimicking monkeys spin around the pole and their ropes unravel form the pole on each turn and lower them to the ground. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan money offerings for Santo Tomas, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of During the Fiesta De San Tomás Quiche Mayas give gifts to Santo Tomás in front of Santo Tomás Cathedral. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan cofradia offering gifts to Santo Tomas, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of During the Fiesta De San Tomás a Quiche Mayan cofradia (shaman or priest) offers gifts to Santo Tomás in front of Santo Tomás cathedral. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Cemetery tombs, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Cemetery in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Sacrificed rooster head on cemetery cross, Chichicastenango Village, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Sacrificed rooster's head on a cross at the Chichicastenango village cemetery. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Cross at Pascual Abaj ceremonial site, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mayan god Pascual Abaj ceremonial site on a mountaintop overlooking the town of Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Maya cofradia ceremony for Pascual Abaj, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche Mayan cofradia (shaman) at a ceremonial site for Pascual Abaj on a mountaintop overlooking Chichicastenango Village performs a ritual to appease the Mayan god Pascual Abaj (also called Maximon or San Simon). Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Maya cofradia blows aguardiente liquor in ceremonial fire for Mayan god Maximon, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche Mayan cofradia (shaman) blowing aguardiente liquor into a ceremonial fire to apease the Mayan god Maximon also called San Simon. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Maya god Pascual Abaj statue, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mayan god Pascual Abaj ceremonial site on a mountaintop overlooking the town of Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan woman selling cotton candy, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of During the Fiesta De San Tomas a Quiche Mayan woman selling cotton candy at a makeshift fun park at the market. Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Market comedor or restaurant, Chichicastenango Market, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of During the market at Chichicastenango village people come to this comedor (restaurant) to eat. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Evening at Chichicastenango market, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Evening time at the market in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Chichicastenango Market, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Market in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Chichicastenango Barbershop, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Barbershop in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Street with public bus, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Street scene with public transport bus in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan family bringing pigs to market, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche mayan family bringing pigs to the market in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Village market in Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Market in Chichicastenango village inside a basketball gym with Pepsi signs saying "Choice of a new generation". Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan woman, Chichicastenango Market, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche Mayan woman in Chichicastenango village market. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan woman, Chichicastenango Village market, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche Mayan woman in Chichicastenango village market. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan woman, Chichicastenango Village market, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche Mayan woman in Chichicastenango village market. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan man, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche Mayan man in Chichicastenango village market during Fiesta De San Tomas in Chichicastenango Guatemala

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Mam Maya shepherd, La Ventosa village, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Jose Mendoza, a Mam Mayan from La Ventosa village in the Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, Huehuetenango District, Guatemala, Central America. Jose Mendoza, a Mam Mayan from La Ventosa village in the Cuchumatanes Mountains, has been a shepherd since childhood. His opportunity for an education is lost, partly because his family needs him to work, and also the lack of money to afford school supplies. Jose a Mam Maya schoolteacher explains: "According to law our children have the right for a free education, but the reality is very different. The children pay 20 Quetzals for school material but the material either doesn't arrive or arrives to late. The government sells these materials to book stores for more than the school children can pay. The children then cannot afford to buy the supplies from these stores. The government is supposed to give milk to the children at school but no milk arrives. Many children have to travel for two hours to arrive at school without anything in their stomach. We want the government to send the school materials at the beginning of the school and to the school - not later after selling them to book stores for more money." Some teachers, like Jose, have a small village hotel and donate fifty percent of their profit to help the children buy schoolbooks.

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Mam Maya shepherd near La Ventosa village in the Guatemalan Highlands

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan children shepherds. Near La Ventosa village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Mayans near La Ventosa Village in the Guatemalan Western Highlands

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan children with thier mother in front of their home near La Ventosa Village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya woman with child at Todos Santos market in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan woman with child in the Todos Santos village market. Todos Santos Cuchumatanes, Huehuetenango Region, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya child with mother herding sheep near La Ventosa Village in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan child with mother herding sheep near thier home at La Ventosa Village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya child near La Ventosa Village in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan child with mother near La Ventosa Village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya child with mother herding sheep near La Ventosa Village in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan child with mother herding sheep near thier home at La Ventosa Village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya children shepherds near La Ventosa village in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan children shepherds. Near La Ventosa village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya shepherds near Todos Santos village in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan children shepherds. Near Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya boy shepherd near La Ventosa village in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan boy shepherd. Near La Ventosa village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya shepherd near La Ventosa village in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan boy shepherd. Near La Ventosa village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Mayas weave on a backstrap loom in Todos Santos Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayans weaving on a backstrap loom outside their home in Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya man near Todos Santos Cuchumatanes in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan man. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya man near Todos Santos Cuchumatanes in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan man. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya man and mule going to Todos Santos market in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan man and mule with a load of potatoes going to the Todos Santos village market. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya man at Todos Santos village in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan man. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya man's sandals, Todos Santos, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan man's feet that are worn-out from climbing the Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes Mountains in Guatemala's Western Highlands. The sandals are a hybrid of traditional Maya sandals with the addition of tyre treads attached to the soles. Todos Santos Cuchumatanes Village, Guatemala

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Mam Maya man at Todos Santos Village in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan man. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya man in Todos Santos Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan man. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya man in Todos Santos Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan man. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya woman in Todos Santos village Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan woman in Todos Santos village. Guatemala. Todos Santos Cuchumatanes village, Guatemalan Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya men in civil patrol training at Todos Santos in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan men in civil patrol training. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America. From: http://www.anthro.fsu.edu/wovenvoices/villages/todos.html Todos Santos Cuchumatan is located within the Department of Huehuetenango in northwest Guatemala. The village lies at an elevation of approximately 2500 meters in the Cuchumatan Mountains. The Maya Indians of Todos Santos are Mam speakers and have lived in the area since long before the Spanish conquest (Sitler 1999). Traditionally, the Mam of Todos Santos are patriarchal with strong ties among the extended family (Oakes 1951). The village of Todos Santos is separated into eight wards and has a number of governing civil positions. Officials gain their position through election and serve for a term of one year. Unlike the women, most of the Maya men of Todos Santos speak Spanish in addition to their native tongue. Due to the elevation of their village, the people subsist on a somewhat vertical economy. They grow corn and beans at lower elevations and cultivate potatoes at higher elevations. They also herd sheep, a source of meat as well as wool. On market day, families hike four to five hours to the center of Huehuetenango (Sitler 1999). There they sell produce and crafts. At the market, Todosanteros are able to purchase other crops with which to supplement their diet, such as bananas and coffee. Also, women sell their carefully manufactured huipils (known as klboj in Mam) and the men sell their elaborately crocheted handbags (pa' in Mam). Most of the Mam of Todos Santos Cuchumatan consider themselves to be Catholic, however today about one third of the native population belongs to recently formed Protestant denominations (Sitler 1999). Despite the influence of Christianity, whether Catholicism or Protestantism, traditional aspects of Maya cosmology permeate their lives. For instance, much religious responsibility and influen

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Mam Maya women carry vases of water near Todos Santos Cuchumatanes in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan women carry vases of water considered sacred which they use to bless a new home by making food and drinks. Near Todos Santos village, Cuchumatanes Mountains, Guatemala

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Mam Maya women carry vases of water considered sacred used to bless a new home near Todos Santos Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan women carry vases of water considered sacred which they use to bless a new home by making food and drinks. Near Todos Santos village, Cuchumatanes Mountains, Guatemala

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Mam Maya boy shepherd near Todos Santos village in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan boy shepherd. Near Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya woman with child in Todos Santos market in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan woman with child in the Todos Santos village market. Todos Santos Cuchumatanes, Huehuetenango Region, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya women in Todos Santos village market in Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan women in the Todos Santos village market. Todos Santos Cuchumatanes, Department of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya men in Todos Santos Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan man. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Garifuna man, Garifunan culture festival, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna man celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala. Fiesta De Recuerdo De Nuestra Descendencia Garifuna festival with traditional music and dancing (May 15) to celebrate the arrival of the first Garifuna on the shores of Guatemala. Livingston, District of Izabal, Guatemala, Central America. Garifuna is the name of the distinct people who are the mixture of the South American Arawak and Carib Indians and the Africans who fused together on the island of St. Vincent. The Garinagu (plural) were the inhabitants of St. Vincent Island until the British forced them into exile in 1797. They are considered the only Black Ameri-Indians who live in the Caribbean coast of Central America starting from Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize. The Garifuna people have maintained their own language and traditions which are unique and greatly influenced by African and Native Indian traditions and customs. La Buga is the Garifuna name for Livingston a small city in the Izabal region of Guatemala. La Buga, along with Puerto Barrios, are the major centers in Guatemala where Garifuna reside.

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Garifuna man in Garifuna festival, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna man celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala. Fiesta De Recuerdo De Nuestra Descendencia Garifuna festival with traditional music and dancing (May 15) to celebrate the arrival of the first Garifuna on the shores of Guatemala. Livingston, District of Izabal, Guatemala, Central America.

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Garifuna parade, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala. Fiesta De Recuerdo De Nuestra Descendencia Garifuna festival with traditional music and dancing (May 15) to celebrate the arrival of the first Garifuna on the shores of Guatemala. Livingston, District of Izabal, Guatemala, Central America.

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Garifuna culture festival parade, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala. Fiesta De Recuerdo De Nuestra Descendencia Garifuna festival with traditional music and dancing (May 15) to celebrate the arrival of the first Garifuna on the shores of Guatemala. Livingston, District of Izabal, Guatemala, Central America.

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Garifuna festival parade, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Fiesta De Recuerdo De Nuestra Descendencia Garifuna festival with traditional music and dancing (May 15) to celebrate the arrival of the first Garifuna on the shores of Guatemala. Livingston, District of Izabal, Guatemala, Central America.

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Garifunan festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala. Fiesta De Recuerdo De Nuestra Descendencia Garifuna festival with traditional music and dancing (May 15) to celebrate the arrival of the first Garifuna on the shores of Guatemala. Livingston, District of Izabal, Guatemala, Central America.

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Garifuna festival celebrating Garifunan culture, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala.

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Garifuna festival, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala.

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Garifunan festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston, Guatemala.

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala. Fiesta De Recuerdo De Nuestra Descendencia Garifuna festival with traditional music and dancing (May 15) to celebrate the arrival of the first Garifuna on the shores of Guatemala. Livingston, District of Izabal, Guatemala, Central America.

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Garifunan festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala.

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Garifunas dancing, Garifuna festival, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna man dancing with children at Garifuna festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston, Guatemala.

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Garifunan children celebrating arrival of Garifunas, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna children celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston, Guatemala.

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Garifuna girl, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna girl at festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston, Guatemala.

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Garifuna man and children, Livingston Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna man and children at festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala.

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Garifuna girls playing checkers, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna girls play checkers with bottlecaps on a makeshift checkerboard in Livingston Guatemala.

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Garifuna girl wearing crown, Garifunan festival parade, Livingston, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Garifuna girl wearing crown at Garifuna festival celebrating arrival of Garifunas in Livingston Guatemala. Fiesta De Recuerdo De Nuestra Descendencia Garifuna festival with traditional music and dancing (May 15) to celebrate the arrival of the first Garifuna on the shores of Guatemala. Livingston, District of Izabal, Guatemala, Central America.

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Pacaya Volcano erupting, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Pacaya Volcano erupting on June 1 1995. Near San Francisco de Sales village. Department of Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America. Pacaya erupted between 0630 and 0700 on 1 June 1995, sending up a 6-km-high plume. Hot ash burned vegetation and damaged radio-antenna equipment near the summit. A thin layer of ash extended as far as 2 miles (3.5 km) away from the vent, with ashfall reported 2.5 km N in San Francisco de Sales and 3.5 km W in El Patrocinio. Analysis of the eruption using GOES-8 satellite images revealed a plume moving to the southeast at 12 miles/hr (19 km/hr). The plume rose to a height of 5.6 miles (9 km). A plume visible at 0715 on GOES-8 satellite images was moving SE at ~19 km/hr, prompting a NOAA Volcano Hazard Alert at 1000. Analysis based on comparison of wind shear data and observed translation of the plume suggested that the plume rose to ~9 km altitude. Eddie Sanchez noted that venting ash destroyed the 1984 spatter cone (SEAN 10:03), called "El Hornito," located roughly midway between the N caldera rim (Cerro Chino) and the previously active MacKenney cone. In place of El Hornito was a small crater venting lava, a substantial amount of which flowed south. Pacaya is 18 miles (30 km) south of Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala. Pacaya is a stratovolcano that has erupted at least 20 times since 1565. Since 1965, the volcano has been erupting almost continuously with pauses between eruptions lasting only a few months. Recent eruptions produced a 2.8-mile (4.5 km) tall Strombolian eruption column in 1989 and lava flows in 1989-91. Eruptions from Pacaya, one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, are frequently visible from Guatemala City, the nation's capital. Pacaya is a complex basaltic volcano constructed just outside the southern topographic rim of the 14 x 16 km Pleistocene Amatitlàn caldera. A cluster of dacitic lava domes occupies the southern caldera floor.

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Acatenango Volcano, Fuego Volcano and Agua Volcano from Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of View of the Guatemalan Highland from Pacaya Volcano with (left to right) Acatenango, Fuego and Agua volcanoes. Near San Francisco de Sales Village, Department of Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America.

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Fuego Volcano and Agua Volcano from Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of View of the Guatemalan Highland from Pacaya Volcano with (left to right) Fuego and Agua volcanoes. Near San Francisco de Sales Village, Department of Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America.

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Guatemalan Highlands from Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of View from Pacaya Volcano towards Department of Guatemala near San Francisco de Sales village, Department of Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America Pacaya is a complex volcano, consisting of an older stratovolcano, domes, flows, tephra, and the modern basaltic stratovolcano. Most of the complex has formed in the last 23,000 years. Pacaya is the active vent in the Cerro Grande-Pacaya-Cerro Chino volcanic complex. June, 2001: Volcàn Pacaya has been made a national park. A visitor's center/ticket booth has been constructed at San Francisco de Sales In the summit of this volcano, that is the crater, you will see the Cerro de Agua, and if it is clear you can also see the volcanoes Agua, Acatenango and Fuego Pacaya volcano is located between the Departments of Guatemala and Escuintla, and it has a height of 2,550 meters.

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San Pedro volcano sunset, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of San Pedro volcano at sunset with a jaguar-god like cloud over Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America.

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Canoes on Lago Atitlan with slope of San Pedro Volcano, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Canoes on Lago Atitlan with the slope of San Pedro Volcano near Santiago Atitlan Village, Guatemala

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Tzutujil Mayan women and fishermen on Lago Atitlan, Santiago Atitlan village, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan women gather water and fishermen in Hoku canoes fish on Lago Atitlan. Santiago Atitlan village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan women washing in Lago Atitlan, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan women wash in Lago Atitlan near Santiago Atitlan village, Department of Sololà, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan women washing in Lago Atitlan, San Juan la Laguna Village, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan women wash in Lago Atitlan near San Juan la Laguna Village where the Las Artesanas de San Juan are located. San Juan la Laguna Village, Department of Sololá, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan ritual for Mayan god Maximon, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan ritual for the Mayan god called Maximon (San Simon). The Tzutujil Maya people offer the idol various things like alcohol, cigarettes, and money to appease the Mayan effigy that stands between the Tzutujil Mayan shamans. Santiago Atitlan Village, Lago Atitlan, Department of Sololá, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan girl, Santiago Atitlan village, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Tzutujil Mayan girl in a crowd in the Santiago Atitlan village market on Lago Atitlan, Department of Sololá, Guatemala, Central America

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PAN political party signs, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of PAN political party signs in Santiago Atitlan Village, Lago Atitlan, Department of Sololá, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan girl, Santiago Atitlan village, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Tzutujil Mayan girl in Santiago Atitlan village on Lago Atitlan, Department of Sololá, Guatemala, Central America

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Baila Del Torito Quiche Mayan dancers wearing masks, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Baila Del Torito Quiche Mayan dancers wearing masks, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Baila Del Torito Quiche Mayan dancers wearing masks, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Baila Del Torito dance with Quiche Mayas wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonialist characters, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomás Quiche Mayans dance wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Chichicastenango cemetery, Chichicastenango Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Cemetery in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Sacrificed rooster head on cross, Chichicastenango cemetery, Chichicastenango Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Sacrificed rooster's head on a cross at the Chichicastenango village cemetery. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Cross at Pascual Abaj or Maximon at ceremonial site, Chichicastenango Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mayan god Pascual Abaj ceremonial site on a mountaintop overlooking the town of Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Maya cofradia - or shaman - blows aguardiente liquor into ceremonial fire for Mayan god Maximon - or San Simon, Chichicastenango Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche Mayan cofradia (shaman) blowing aguardiente liquor into a ceremonial fire to apease the Mayan god Maximon also called San Simon. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Palo Volador, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Palo Volador during the Fiesta De San Tomas in front of Church of Santo Tomas. Quiche Mayans wearing masks and costumes mimicking monkeys spin around the pole and their ropes unravel form the pole on each turn and lower them to the ground. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Maya woman selling cotton candy, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of During the Fiesta De San Tomas a Quiche Mayan woman selling cotton candy at a makeshift fun park at the market. Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Chichicastenango market comedor or restaurant, Chichicastenango Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of During the market at Chichicastenango village people come to this comedor (restaurant) to eat. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Chichicastenango market, Chichicastenango Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Evening time at the market in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan woman, Chichicastenango Market, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche Mayan woman in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Cakchiquel mayan woman with gold stars in teeth, La Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Cakchiquel mayan woman with gold stars in her teeth at the Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Cakchiquel mayan girl selling textiles, La Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Cakchiquel mayan girl selling textiles at the Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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L'Arco di Santa Catalina Martir and Agua Volcano, La Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of L'Arco di Santa Catalina Martir with Volcàn Agua. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America.

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Semana Santa procession - Holy Week procession,. La Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa procession or Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, La Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa procession - Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Holy Week procession, Semana Santa procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa processions, Holy Week processions in Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Cakchiquel mayan woman selling textiles, La Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Cakchiquel mayan woman selling textiles at the Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Indigenous woman carrying a basket of textiles, La Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of An indigenous woman carrying a basket of textiles. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya woman and child, Todos Santos village market, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan woman with child in the Todos Santos village market. Todos Santos Cuchumatanes, Huehuetenango Region, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya shepherd, La Ventosa village, Guatemalan Highlands

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan children shepherds. Near La Ventosa village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya child and mother herding sheep, La Ventosa, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan child with mother herding sheep near thier home at La Ventosa Village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya child and mother, La Ventosa, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Maya child with mother herding sheep near thier home at La Ventosa Village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya child, La Ventosa Village, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Maya child with mother near La Ventosa Village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya shepherd, La Ventosa village, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Jose Mendoza, a Mam Mayan from La Ventosa village in the Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, Huehuetenango District, Guatemala, Central America. Jose Mendoza, a Mam Mayan from La Ventosa village in the Cuchumatanes Mountains, has been a shepherd since childhood. His opportunity for an education is lost, partly because his family needs him to work, and also the lack of money to afford school supplies. Jose a Mam Maya schoolteacher explains: "According to law our children have the right for a free education, but the reality is very different. The children pay 20 Quetzals for school material but the material either doesn't arrive or arrives to late. The government sells these materials to book stores for more than the school children can pay. The children then cannot afford to buy the supplies from these stores. The government is supposed to give milk to the children at school but no milk arrives. Many children have to travel for two hours to arrive at school without anything in their stomach. We want the government to send the school materials at the beginning of the school and to the school - not later after selling them to book stores for more money." Some teachers, like Jose, have a small village hotel and donate fifty percent of their profit to help the children buy schoolbooks.

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Mam Mayan man in Todos Santos Cuchumatanes, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Maya man. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Maya man, Todos Santos Cuchumatanes, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan man. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Mayan man's sandals, Todos Santos Cuchumatanes, Western Highlands Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Maya man's sandals. Todos Santos village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Yucateca Mayan man, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Yucateca Mayan man carries wood using a forehead sling called a tumpline. Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico.

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El Castillo, Pyramid of Kukulcan, Temple of Kukulcan, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of El Castillo Pyramid of Kukulcan or Temple of Kukulcan, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. The Temple of Kukulcan (El Castillo), Chichen Itza, Mexico is the Mayan name for the Feathered Serpent God also known as Quetzalcoatl to the Aztecs. Late classic Mayan culture 11-13th A.D. From http://www.world-mysteries.com/ "El Castillo Pyramid (The Castle pyramid) has special astronomical significance and layout. Each face of the pyramid has a stairway with ninety-one steps, which together with the shared step of the platform at the top; add up to 365, the number of days in a year. These stairways also divide the nine terraces of each side of the pyramid into eighteen segments, representing the eighteen months of the Mayan calendar. The pyramid's design reflects the equinoxes and solstices of our solar year in a spectacular game of light and shadow. During the equinoxes, the setting sun casts a shadow of a serpent on the northern steps of the pyramid. The Castle, aka The Pyramid of Kukulkan or the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl (another name for Kukulkan from the Toltecs) is believed to be built before 800 AD and the architecture is Toltec-Mayan. El Castillo (castle in Spanish) sheds light on the Mayans impressive astronomical knowledge. It is, in reality, a solar calendar. There are 91 steps on each side and 1 for the roof/altar. Each day's shadows fall upon a different step."

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Woman at Spring Equinox, El Castillo Pyramid, Temple of Kukulcan, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Woman at Spring Equinox, El Castillo Pyramid of Kukulcan, or Temple of Kukulcan, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. Thousands of people gather during the Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza to witness the effect on El Castillo Pyramid of the sunlight creating the shadow of a giant serpent descending the staircase of the Pyramid of Kukulcan. The Temple of Kukulcan (El Castillo), Chichen Itza, Mexico is the Mayan name for the Feathered Serpent God also known as Quetzalcoatl to the Aztecs.

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Serpent Shadow, Spring Equinox, El Castillo, Kukulcan Pyramid, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Serpent Shadow descending staircase, Spring Equinox at El Castillo, Kukulcan Pyramid, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. Thousands of people gather during the Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza to witness the effect on El Castillo Pyramid of the sunlight creating the shadow of a giant serpent descending the staircase of the Pyramid of Kukulcan. The Temple of Kukulcan (El Castillo), Chichen Itza, Mexico is the Mayan name for the Feathered Serpent God also known as Quetzalcoatl to the Aztecs. From: http://www.world-mysteries.com/ El Castillo Pyramid (The Castle pyramid) has special astronomical significance and layout. Each face of the pyramid has a stairway with ninety-one steps, which together with the shared step of the platform at the top; add up to 365, the number of days in a year. These stairways also divide the nine terraces of each side of the pyramid into eighteen segments, representing the eighteen months of the Mayan calendar. The pyramid's design reflects the equinoxes and solstices of our solar year in a spectacular game of light and shadow. During the equinoxes, the setting sun casts a shadow of a serpent on the northern steps of the pyramid. El Castillo (castle in Spanish) sheds light on the Mayans impressive astronomical knowledge. It is, in reality, a solar calendar. There are 91 steps on each side and 1 for the roof/altar. Each day's shadows fall upon a different step. The Mayans succeeded in an almost impossible mission with the completion of their structures at Chichen Itza. A poetic combination of form, style, function, religion, philosophy, mathematics and geometry. A true symbiosis of all of their intelligence and art in one location, to be studied and admired by all that visit. By far the most impressive aspect of the Pyramid of Kukulkan is it's relationship with the sun and how it reflects the equinoxes and solstices of our solar year with stunning accuracy. Before one can fully understand the workings of the Shadow of the Equinox, a few basics

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Woman playing Didgeridoo, Spring Equinox, El Castillo, Kukulcan Pyramid, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Woman playing a Didgeridoo at Spring Equinox, El Castillo Pyramid of Kukulcan, or Temple of Kukulcan, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico The Temple of Kukulcan (El Castillo), Chichen Itza, Mexico is the Mayan name for the Feathered Serpent God also known as Quetzalcoatl to the Aztecs. From: http://www.world-mysteries.com/ El Castillo Pyramid (The Castle pyramid) has special astronomical significance and layout. Each face of the pyramid has a stairway with ninety-one steps, which together with the shared step of the platform at the top; add up to 365, the number of days in a year. These stairways also divide the nine terraces of each side of the pyramid into eighteen segments, representing the eighteen months of the Mayan calendar. The pyramid's design reflects the equinoxes and solstices of our solar year in a spectacular game of light and shadow. During the equinoxes, the setting sun casts a shadow of a serpent on the northern steps of the pyramid. El Castillo (castle in Spanish) sheds light on the Mayans impressive astronomical knowledge. It is, in reality, a solar calendar. There are 91 steps on each side and 1 for the roof/altar. Each day's shadows fall upon a different step. The Mayans succeeded in an almost impossible mission with the completion of their structures at Chichen Itza. A poetic combination of form, style, function, religion, philosophy, mathematics and geometry. A true symbiosis of all of their intelligence and art in one location, to be studied and admired by all that visit. By far the most impressive aspect of the Pyramid of Kukulkan is it's relationship with the sun and how it reflects the equinoxes and solstices of our solar year with stunning accuracy.

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Tulum and Caribbean Sea, Tulum, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Tulum and the Caribbean Sea, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico Tulum is a Late Post-Classic Mayan city. The coastal city of Tulum was inhabited late after the conquest. Tulum is perched on top of limestone cliffs overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. El Castillo is a temple-topped pyramid that also served as a watchtower and a lighthouse. Like many important structures in the Mayan world, the current building is the result of different stages of additional construction. It began as a palace-like base, the staircase added at a later date and eventually it was crowned by the temple on top. From: Guide of Tulum. History, Art and Monuments Tulum means fence, trench or wall, and is the name given to the site in recent times because of the wall surrounding it, although its ancient name was possibly Zama, a corruption of Zamal (morning), associated with the dawn. This is an ideal name for the site, as sunrise in Tulumis a superb sight. The first mention of this city was made by Juan Diaz, who was on Juan de Grijalva's expedition that reached the coast of the Yucatan peninsula in 1518. He wrote, "We followed the coast day and night; on the following day... we sighted a city or town so large that Seville would not have appeared bigger or better... a very tall tower was to be seen there..." which no doubt refers to Tulum and the building known as the Castle, standing on the edge of the cliff. In Juan de Reigosa's Las Relaciones de Yucatan, written in 1579, Zama is mentioned as a walled site with stone buildings which included a very large one that looked like a fortress. Pedro Sanchez de Aguilar, author of Informe Contra Idolorum Cultores del Obispado de Yucatan, (Madrid, 1639) mentions the coast of Zama when telling the story of ten shipwrecked Spaniards who were taken prisoner by the chieftain Kenich. Among them was Geronimo de Aguilar, who later became Hernan Cortes' interpreter during the Conquest of Mexico.

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Tulum and Caribbean Sea, Tulum, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Tulum and the Caribbean Sea, Tulum, Yucatan, Mexico Tulum is a Late Post-Classic Mayan city. The coastal city of Tulum was inhabited late after the conquest. Tulum is perched on top of limestone cliffs overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. El Castillo is a temple-topped pyramid that also served as a watchtower and a lighthouse. Like many important structures in the Mayan world, the current building is the result of different stages of additional construction. It began as a palace-like base, the staircase added at a later date and eventually it was crowned by the temple on top. From: Guide of Tulum. History, Art and Monuments Tulum means fence, trench or wall, and is the name given to the site in recent times because of the wall surrounding it, although its ancient name was possibly Zama, a corruption of Zamal (morning), associated with the dawn. This is an ideal name for the site, as sunrise in Tulumis a superb sight. The first mention of this city was made by Juan Diaz, who was on Juan de Grijalva's expedition that reached the coast of the Yucatan peninsula in 1518. He wrote, "We followed the coast day and night; on the following day... we sighted a city or town so large that Seville would not have appeared bigger or better... a very tall tower was to be seen there..." which no doubt refers to Tulum and the building known as the Castle, standing on the edge of the cliff. In Juan de Reigosa's Las Relaciones de Yucatan, written in 1579, Zama is mentioned as a walled site with stone buildings which included a very large one that looked like a fortress. Pedro Sanchez de Aguilar, author of Informe Contra Idolorum Cultores del Obispado de Yucatan, (Madrid, 1639) mentions the coast of Zama when telling the story of ten shipwrecked Spaniards who were taken prisoner by the chieftain Kenich. Among them was Geronimo de Aguilar, who later became Hernan Cortes' interpreter during the Conquest of Mexico. After this there are no other references to Tulum unt

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Palace of the Masks, Codz Po'op Palace, Kabah, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Palace of the Masks, Codz Po'op Palace at Kabah Mayan archaeological site, Yucatan, Mexico A continuous series of Chac mask mosaics share round, interchangeable eyes, from the Late Classic Puuc style facade of the Codz Po'op at Kabah, Yucatn. Late Classic buildings in the Puuc architectural style (Puuc is the word for "hill" in the Yucatec Mayan language.) Ancient Maya builders used mosaic elements of limestone masonry to create elaborate building facades, combining geometric repetition and symmetry with symbols including masks of Chacs or Mayan rain gods. This decorative style of AD 600-950, named for the hilly Puuc region along the Ticul fault line of northern Campeche and northwest Yucatan, is found between Edzna and Chichen Itza, centered around Uxmal and Labna.

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Palace, Kabah Mayan archaeological site, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Palace at Kabah Mayan archaeological site, Yucatan, Mexico Late Classic buildings in the Puuc architectural style (Puuc is the word for "hill" in the Yucatec Mayan language.) Ancient Maya builders used mosaic elements of limestone masonry to create elaborate building facades, combining geometric repetition and symmetry with symbols including masks of Chacs or Mayan rain gods. This decorative style of AD 600-950, named for the hilly Puuc region along the Ticul fault line of northern Campeche and northwest Yucatan, is found between Edzna and Chichen Itz, centered around Uxmal and Labna.

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Palace, Sayil Maya Archeological Site, Puuc Hills, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Palace at Sayil Maya Archeological Site, Puuc Hills, Yucatan, Mexico. Palace or Casa Grande at Sayil in the Puuc Hills Region on the Ruta Puuc or Puuc Route of Northwestern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The Palace has unique Puuc style decoration and its architecture is a classical example of the Maya Late-Classic period. "Our guides cut a path, and, clearing the branches overhead, we followed on horseback, dismounting at the foot of the Casa Grande. It was by this name that the Indians called the immense pile of white stone buildings, which, buried in the depths of a great forest, added new desolation to the waste by which they were surrounded. We tied our horses, and worked our way along the front. The trees were so close that we could take in but a small portion of it at once..." John Lloyd Stephens, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas & Yucatan, 1843

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House of the Pigeons, El Palomar, Uxmal, Puuc Hills, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of House of the Pigeons, El Palomar, Uxmal, Puuc Hills, Mexico House of the Pigeons, El Palomar, Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal, Uxmal, Puuc Hills, Mexico From: UNESCO http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/rss The Mayan town of Uxmal, in Yucatan, was founded c. A.D. 700 and had some 25,000 inhabitants. The layout of the buildings, which date from between 700 and 1000, reveals knowledge of astronomy. The Pyramid of the Soothsayer, as the Spaniards called it, dominates the ceremonial centre, which has well-designed buildings decorated with a profusion of symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting Chaac, the god of rain. The ceremonial sites of Uxmal, Kabah, Labna and Sayil are considered the high points of Mayan art and architecture. From: http://www.meta-religion.com/World_Religions/Ancient_religions/Central_america/maya_race_and_mythology.htm The "Pigeon House" is an ornate pile with pinnacles pierced by large openings which probably served as dovecotes. The entire architecture of Uxmal displays a type more primitive than that met elsewhere in Yucatan. There is documentary evidence to prove that so late as 1673 the Indians still worshipped in the ruins of Uxmal, where they burnt copal, and performed "other detestable sacrifices." So that even a hundred and fifty years of Spanish rule had not sufficed to wean the natives from the worship of the older gods to whom their fathers had for generations bowed down. This would also seem conclusive evidence that the ruins of Uxmal at least were the work of the existing race. From: http://www.athenapub.com/uxmal1.htm House of the Pigeons (El Palomar), a palace structure built ca. AD 700-800. Remains of a roof comb (not very typical of the Puuc style) give a notably serrated or niche-like appearance which resembles that of pigeon houses or dovecotes.

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Nunnery Quadrangle, Uxmal, Puuc Hills, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of South Building Arch of Nunnery Quadrangle with the North Building, Uxmal, Puuc Hills Region, Yucatan, Mexico. Uxmal is the most important representative of the Puuc architectural style, which flourished in the Late Classic Period AD 600-900. Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal was added to Unesco's World Heritage List in 1996. From UNESCO: http://whc.unesco.org/ "The Mayan town of Uxmal, in Yucatan, was founded c. A.D. 700 and had some 25,000 inhabitants. The layout of the buildings, which date from between 700 and 1000, reveals knowledge of astronomy. The Pyramid of the Soothsayer, as the Spaniards called it, dominates the ceremonial centre, which has well-designed buildings decorated with a profusion of symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting Chaac, the god of rain. The ceremonial sites of Uxmal, Kabah, Labna and Sayil are considered the high points of Mayan art and architecture."

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Blind busker playing guitar, Puuc Hills, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Blind busker plays his guitar during a rural bus ride, Puuc Hills Region, Mexico

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Woman Vendor, Merida Market, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Woman vendor selling produce in Merida Market. Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The Spaniard Francisco de Montejo founded Merida on January 6, 1542. When the Spaniards arrived, Merida was a large Mayan city known as T'ho, situated on what is now the Main Plaza. It was conquered by the Spaniards, who dismantled all the pyramids and used the huge stones as the foundation for the Cathedral of San Idelfonso (1556-1599), the oldest cathedral on the American continent.

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Mayan woman, Oxkutzcab Market, Oxkutzcab, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Mayan woman in Oxkutzcab village market, Oxkutzcab, Yucatan, Mexico. Oxkutzcab: founded in 1841, population 27,000. Oxkutzcab, the village that is nick-named the "Orchard of the state." Oxkutuzcab Village is close to the Lol Tun caves and located where the Convent Route and the Puuc Route meet. The Puuc Route includes the Mayan Archaeological sites with Mayan pyramids of Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, X-Lapak, Labna and the Loltun Caves.

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Woman Making Tortillas, Merida Market, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Mayan Vendor and her daughter in the Merida Market. Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The Spaniard Francisco de Montejo founded Merida on January 6, 1542. When the Spaniards arrived, Merida was a large Mayan city known as T'ho, situated on what is now the Main Plaza. It was conquered by the Spaniards, who dismantled all the pyramids and used the huge stones as the foundation for the Cathedral of San Idelfonso (1556-1599), the oldest cathedral on the American continent.

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Woman Making Tortillas, Merida Market, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Woman Making Tortillas, Merida Market, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The Spaniard Francisco de Montejo founded Merida on January 6, 1542. When the Spaniards arrived, Merida was a large Mayan city known as T'ho, situated on what is now the Main Plaza. It was conquered by the Spaniards, who dismantled all the pyramids and used the huge stones as the foundation for the Cathedral of San Idelfonso (1556-1599), the oldest cathedral on the American continent.

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Mayan man in village store, Oxkutzcab, Yucatan, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Village store near Oxkutzcab on the way to Labna, Sayil and Kabah Maya Archeology sites on the Puuc Route, Yucatan, Mexico. Oxkutzcab, the village that is nick-named the "orchard of the state". Oxkutuzcab Village is close to the Lol Tun Caves or Loltun Caves and located where the Convent Route and the Puuc Route meet. Oxkutzcab was founded in 1841 and has a population of 27,000. The Puuc Route includes the Mayan Archaeological sites with Mayan pyramids of Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, X-Lapak, Labna and the Loltun Caves. Each of the sites has restored and other structures, covered with brush, tree and jungle, much the way early explorers and archaeologists found them.

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Tzotzil Maya man, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzotzil Maya man, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico Tzotzil mayan man at a village market in the Spanish Colonial town of San Cristobal de Las Casas in the highlands of Chiapas State, Mexico.

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Sandals of Mayan man, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Sandals of Mayan man, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico Sandals of Mayan man at the market in San Cristobal de Las Casas, a Spanish Colonial town in the highlands of Chiapas State, Mexico.

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Tzotzil Maya home, Chenalo, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzotzil Maya mud home, Chenalo, Chiapas, Mexico. A Tzotzil Maya mud home made with mud and wood sticks in Chenalo Village (Ch'enalho or Chenalo) near San Cristobal de las Casas in the highlands of Chiapas State, Mexico.

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EZLN, Zapatista Army of National Liberation graffiti, San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Mayas walk past EZLN - Zapatista Army of National Liberation - graffiti, San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas Mexico From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EZLN "The Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) is an armed revolutionary group based in Chiapas, one of the poorest states of Mexico. Their social base is mostly indigenous but they have supporters in urban areas as well as an international web of support. Their most visible voice, although technically not their leader as he is a sub-comandante, and all the comandantes are indigenous Mayan American Indians, is Subcomandante Marcos. Some consider the Zapatista movement the first post-modern revolution: an armed yet non-violent, despite an uprising in the early 1990s, revolutionary group that incorporates modern technologies like satellite telephones and the Internet as a way to obtain domestic and foreign support. They consider themselves part of the wider anti-globalization movement. Ideology: The EZLN claims to represent the rights of the indigenous population, but also sees itself and is seen as part of a wider anti-capitalist movement. The neozapatistas oppose globalization, or neoliberalism, the economic system advocated by the Mexican presidents from 1982 to 2000. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), is an example of neoliberal policy, and spawned the 1994 Zapatista revolution because those who would later become the EZLN believed that it would destroy the rights of Mexico's impoverished indigenous community. The group takes its name from the Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata; they see themselves as his ideological heirs, and heirs to 500 years of indigenous resistance against imperialism. The EZLN differs from most revolutionary groups by having stopped military action after the initial uprising in the first two weeks of 1994.

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Man in Zapatista costume, San Cristobal De Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Man in Zapatista costume during La Merced parade, San Cristobal De Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.

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Maya woman selling Zapatista idols, San Cristobal De Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Maya woman selling Zapatista idols, San Cristobal De Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

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Displaced children of Chamula sell Pepsi Cola, La Hormiga, San Cristobal De Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Displaced Maya children from Chamula Village selling Pepsi and Coca-Cola in La Hormiga shantytown, San Cristobal De Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. La Hormiga is an indigenous shantytown settled by the Maya people expelled from Chamula Village because of religious differences. In November 1974 more than 1,400 men, women and children from Chamula Village were herded to La Hormiga into corrals meant for sheep. The Chamula municipality bosses are powerful Pepsi and Coca-Cola distributors. These children living in the shantytown of La Hormiga move the soft drink cases, pick up empty bottles and load the vendor's soft drink carts with more Pepsi and Coca Cola. http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/kovmay.html In the last decades of the twentieth century, thousands of Mayas were expelled, often violently, from their homes in San Juan Chamula and other highland communities in Chiapas, Mexico, by fellow Mayas allied with the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). State and federal authorities generally turned a blind eye to these human rights abuses, downplaying them as local conflicts over religious conversion and defense of cultural traditions. The expelled have organized themselves to fight not only for religious rights, but also for political and economic justice based on a broad understanding of human rights. The Mayas of Chamula who were expelled for not being "traditional" enough are basing their new communities on traditional values of duty and reciprocity."

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Tzotzil Mayas cooking corn, Zinacantan, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzotzil Mayas cook corn that they sell to local people in Zinacantan Village, Chiapas Mexico. Zinacantan is a Tzotzil speaking municipality just west of San Cristobal de las Casas in the Chiapas Highlands. The name "Zinacantan" means "place of bats", derived from the Aztec language, Nahuatl. A stone bat was the patron deity of Zinacantecos. Flowers have become important to the Tzotzil Mayas in Zinacantan and some villagers sell flowers at San Cristobal de las Casas.

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Tzotzil Woman with pig, Cristobal De Las Casas Market, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzotzil Maya woman with a piglet on a leash in the market at San Cristobal De Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. In the San Cristobal de las Casas market a Tzotzil Mayan woman holds a piglet leashed like a pet. The Spanish colonialists initiated forced labor called the Encomienda System into Chiapas enslaving and forcing the Mayas to pay a tribute twice yearly. Historians consider the Spanish colonialist's Encomienda system the most damaging in Spanish American history. The Encomienda system became the symbol of oppression and exploitation. It was catastrophic to the Maya.

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Tzotzil Mayan and mules, Chenalo, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzotzil Maya man, Avran Perez Zulish, and mules, Chenalo, Chiapas, Mexico

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Tzeltal Maya woman making pottery, Amatenango del Valle, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzeltal Maya woman making pottery in Amatenango del Valle Village, Chiapas, Mexico. Amatenango del Valle is a village famous for its local pottery and hand made by potters using pre-Hispanic techniques to mold clay which is fired over open hearths. Amatenango del Valle is a Tzeltal Maya village of potters, named in their tongue Tzo'ontajal, located 37 kilometers from San Cristobal de las Casas. The Tzeltal Maya artisans model clay by hand and then fire the pottery with firewood in the open air hearths which is a pre-Hispanic technique. Pots, water jugs, tubs, flower pots, and animal figures are products of their ancient tradition of mixing dirt and water, modeling the clay, drying it and firing it; the first act in the creation of the Maya universal vision.

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Cakchiquel Mayan girl selling fruit, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Cakchiquel mayan girl peeling and selling fruit. Near Chichicastenango. Guatemala. Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America.

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Mayan girl carrying bananas, Agua Azul, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Maya girl carrying bananas in a basket on her head, Agua Azul Biosphere Reserve, near Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico. Cascadas De Agua Azul or Agua Azul Waterfall, Sierra Madre de Chiapas Mountains, Chiapas, Mexico.

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Cascadas De Misol-Ha, Misol-Ha Waterfall, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Cascadas De Misol-Ha or Misol-Ha Waterfall, near Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico Misol-Ha is a 35-meter/115-foot waterfall near Palenque, Chiapas State, Mexico.

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Lacandon Mayan boy, Cascadas Lacanja, Montes Azules Biosphere, Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of 9-year old Lacandon Mayan boy Pancho at Cascadas Lacanja in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve in the Selva Lacandona (Lacandon Jungle), Chiapas State, Mexico. The Lacandons are indigenous peoples of La Selva Lacandona in Chiapas, Mexico. They refer to themselves as the Hach Winik or True People. The Lacandon culture has lived in the Lacandon Rainforest for hundreds of years. It is said the Lacandons are direct descendants of the classical civilizations of Palenque, Yaxchilan and Bonampak.

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Lacandon Maya dugout canoe, Lake Naha, Naha Village, Montes Azules Biosphere, Selva Lacandona, Chiapas Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Lacandon Maya dugout canoe on Lake Naha, Naha Village, Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, Selva Lacandona, Chiapas Mexico. The Lacandons are indigenous peoples of La Selva Lacandona in Chiapas, Mexico. They refer to themselves as the Hach Winik or True People. The Lacandon culture has lived in the Lacandon Rainforest for hundreds of years. It is said the Lacandons are direct descendants of the classical civilizations of Palenque, Yaxchilan and Bonampak.

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Lacandon Mayas fishing in dugout canoe, Lake Naha, Naha Village, Selva Lacandona, Montes Azules Biosphere, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Lacandon Mayas fishing on a dugout canoe on Lake Naha, Naha Village, Selva Lacandona, Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico

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Lacandon Mayan in dugout canoe, Naha Lake, Naha Village, Lacandon Jungle, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Lacandon Maya boy paddling a dugout canoe on Naha Lake, Naha Village, Selva Lacandona, Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas Mexico. The Lacandons are indigenous peoples of La Selva Lacandona in Chiapas, Mexico. They refer to themselves as the Hach Winik or True People. The Lacandon culture has lived in the Lacandon Rainforest for hundreds of years. It is said the Lacandons are direct descendants of the classical civilizations of Palenque, Yaxchilan and Bonampak.

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Lacandon Maya, Naha Village, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Lacandon Maya man Juan Mendez Chan K'In. Naha Village, Selva Lacandona, Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas Mexico. The Lacandons are indigenous peoples of La Selva Lacandona in Chiapas, Mexico. They refer to themselves as the Hach Winik or True People. The Lacandon culture has lived in the Lacandon Rainforest for hundreds of years. It is said the Lacandons are direct descendants of the classical civilizations of Palenque, Yaxchilan and Bonampak.

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Lacandon Maya shaman Chan K'in Viejo, Naha Village, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Lacandon Maya shaman and leader Chan K'in Viejo. Naha Village, Selva Lacandona, Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico. Chan K'in Viejo said, "Without its mahogany a forest dies into jungle where only snakes can live. Without Lacandon traditions the Hach Winik (Lacandon for True People) turn into drunken ladinos no different from those who burn and destroy our forest. When the last Lacandon dies the world will come to an end." The Lacandons are indigenous peoples of La Selva Lacandona in Chiapas, Mexico. They refer to themselves as the Hach Winik or True People. The Lacandon culture has lived in the Lacandon Rainforest for hundreds of years. It is said the Lacandons are direct descendants of the classical civilizations of Palenque, Yaxchilan and Bonampak.

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Lacandon Mayans, Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Lacandon Mayans at Bonampak Archaeological Zone, Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, Mexico Bonampak is in the Lacandon Forest or Selva Lacandona in the Lacanha River Valley, Chiapas Mexico. Bonampak is a Classic Maya site in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, occupied from about 650-800 AD. Bonampak means "painted walls" and is known highly detailed frescoes depicting the history of the Mayan people who lived in Bonampak. The frescoes where painted on the inside of the walls and roofs of three buildings thousands of years ago. The Lacandons are indigenous peoples of La Selva Lacandona in Chiapas, Mexico. They refer to themselves as the Hach Winik or True People. The Lacandon culture has lived in the Lacandon Rainforest for hundreds of years. It is said the Lacandons are direct descendants of the classical civilizations of Palenque, Yaxchilan and Bonampak.

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Chan Muwan Mayan Murals, Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Mural of Room One, Structure One depicts an infant heir to the throne being presented to resident and visiting dignitaries of Bonampak with dancers wearing large ceremonial feather headdresses. Classic Period Maya site Bonampak, Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico. Bonampak murals where painted in the late 8th century. These Mayan murals show relationships between warfare, accession, bloodletting, captive sacrifice, and rulers of the Classic Maya Period. The Mayan paintings of Bonampak show courtly activities of the last Mayas who ruled the Classic Period Maya City of Bonampak. The murals depict the military conquests and other achievements of Maya king Chan Muwan. The Maya believed warriors drew strength from the animal spirits. Archaeologists discovered the murals, preserved under a layer of calcification, in 1946 and dated the paintings to about ad 790. See The Bonampak Documentation Project at http://www.yale.edu/bonampak/ for more about the Bonampak Murals. The Bonampak Documentation Project was established following a pilot study published by National Geographic Magazine in February 1995 in which digital images of several sections of the Bonampak murals were restored using line visible in infrared photographs. The goal of the full-scale project is to document, reconstruct and study the ancient murals.

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Chan Muwan Mayan Murals, Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Murals of Room One in Structure One at Bonampak show musicians playing gourd-maracas and a large wooden drum. Classic Period Maya site Bonampak, Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico. Bonampak murals where painted in the late 8th century. These Mayan murals show relationships between warfare, accession, bloodletting, captive sacrifice, and rulers of the Classic Maya Period. The Mayan paintings of Bonampak show courtly activities of the last Mayas who ruled the Classic Period Maya City of Bonampak. The murals depict the military conquests and other achievements of Maya king Chan Muwan. The Maya believed warriors drew strength from the animal spirits. Archaeologists discovered the murals, preserved under a layer of calcification, in 1946 and dated the paintings to about ad 790. See The Bonampak Documentation Project at http://www.yale.edu/bonampak/ for more about the Bonampak Murals. The Bonampak Documentation Project was established following a pilot study published by National Geographic Magazine in February 1995 in which digital images of several sections of the Bonampak murals were restored using line visible in infrared photographs. The goal of the full-scale project is to document, reconstruct and study the ancient murals.

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Palace, Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Palace, Palenque Archaeological Park, Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico. Located in the center of Palenque Archaeological Zone is the Palace that consists of four courtyards and a watchtower. Beneath Palenque's Palace is the Otulum Aqueduct that channels water from the Otulum stream. There are ancient latrines, and steam baths once used for physical and ritual cleansing. Palenque represents the western regional variant of Classic Maya civilization. Although the earliest occupation of the site dates to about 100 BC, it becomes a major population center only at about 600 AD and all construction ended circa 800 AD.

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Palace, Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Palace, Palenque Archaeological Park, Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico. Located in the center of Palenque Archaeological Zone is the Palace that consists of four courtyards and a watchtower. Beneath Palenque's Palace is the Otulum Aqueduct that channels water from the Otulum stream. There are ancient latrines, and steam baths once used for physical and ritual cleansing. Palenque represents the western regional variant of Classic Maya civilization. Although the earliest occupation of the site dates to about 100 BC, it becomes a major population center only at about 600 AD and all construction ended circa 800 AD.

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Temple of the Sun, Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico

CAPTION: Photograph of Temple of the Sun, Palenque, Chiapas Mexico The Ancient Maya City of Palenque Archaeological Park, Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico. Palenque represents the western regional variant of Classic Maya civilization. Although the earliest occupation of the site dates to about 100 BC, it becomes a major population center only at about 600 AD and all construction at the site has ceased by about 800 AD. "Images of war and death sacrifice adorn the panel in the pib na of the Temple of the Sun. A Sun Jaguar shield and crossed spears dominate the central icon. These images are sustained aloft by a throne with bleeding jaguar heads emerging from one axis, and bleeding dragons from the other. The throne and its burden of war rest on the shoulders of God L and another aged god from the Otherworld. Both are bent over like captives under the feet of victorious warrior kings. This scene recalls the defeat of the Lords of Death at the beginning of time by the Hero Twins. Captive sacrifice was the source of life through the reenactment of the magical rebirth of these heroic ancestors of the Maya people. God L, who received the greetings of the new king in the Temple of the Cross, now hold up the burden of war and sacrifice. In both cases, ritual performance by the king involved Otherworld denizens in the human community. Here in the Temple of the Sun, the power object is not actually passed from the inside scene to the outside, as in the other temples; but the intent of the composition is still the same. On the inner panel, Pacal holds a full-bodied eccentric flint and a shield made of a flayed human face: symbols of war among the nobility of Palenque and other Maya kingdoms. If we move to the outer panels, on one we see Chan-Bahlum holding a bleeding jaguar on a small throne as the symbol of sacrificial death. On the opposite panel, he wears cotton battle armor with a rolled flexible shield hanging down his back. The tall staff he wields is probably a battle spear typical of the kind carried by warrior kings at other sites. The parallelism here is nicely rendered. On the one side, he is emerging from the pib na as a warrior prepared to capture the enemies of his kingdom; on the other, he comes forth as the giver of sacrifice, the result of victory." From: Linda Schele and David Freidel, A Forest of Kings: The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya, p. 243

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Tikal, Tikal National Park, El Peten, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Temples one, two and three seen from Temple Four, Tikal National Park, Department of El Peten, Guatemala, Central America

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Temple four, Tikal National Park, El Peten, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Temple 4 (four), Tikal National Park, Department of El Peten, Guatemala, Central America

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Temple Two, Great Plaza, Tikal, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Temple 2 (two) in the Great Plaza with stelae and altars portraying the rulers of Tikal , Tikal National Park, Department of El Peten, Guatemala, Central America.

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Mask in tunnel, Tikal, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Giant Mask in tunnel, Temple 5D-33, North Acropolis, Tikal National Park, Department of El Peten, Guatemala, Central America This mask of a long-nosed god is from the first building erected at this spot. The mask is over 10 feet tall. In ancient times, this mask would have been covered with stucco. The mask and the entire building were painted in brilliant reds, greens, yellows, and blues. The buildings looked very different from the bare rock we see today.

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Pacaya Volcano erupting, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Pacaya Volcano erupting on June 1 1995. Near San Francisco de Sales village. Department of Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America. Pacaya erupted between 0630 and 0700 on 1 June 1995, sending up a 6-km-high plume. Hot ash burned vegetation and damaged radio-antenna equipment near the summit. A thin layer of ash extended as far as 2 miles (3.5 km) away from the vent, with ashfall reported 2.5 km N in San Francisco de Sales and 3.5 km W in El Patrocinio. Analysis of the eruption using GOES-8 satellite images revealed a plume moving to the southeast at 12 miles/hr (19 km/hr). The plume rose to a height of 5.6 miles (9 km). A plume visible at 0715 on GOES-8 satellite images was moving SE at ~19 km/hr, prompting a NOAA Volcano Hazard Alert at 1000. Analysis based on comparison of wind shear data and observed translation of the plume suggested that the plume rose to ~9 km altitude. Eddie Sanchez noted that venting ash destroyed the 1984 spatter cone (SEAN 10:03), called El Hornito, located roughly midway between the N caldera rim (Cerro Chino) and the previously active MacKenney cone. In place of El Hornito was a small crater venting lava, a substantial amount of which flowed south. Pacaya is 18 miles (30 km) south of Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala. Pacaya is a stratovolcano that has erupted at least 20 times since 1565. Since 1965, the volcano has been erupting almost continuously with pauses between eruptions lasting only a few months. Recent eruptions produced a 2.8-mile (4.5 km) tall Strombolian eruption column in 1989 and lava flows in 1989-91. Eruptions from Pacaya, one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, are frequently visible from Guatemala City, the nation's capital. Pacaya is a complex basaltic volcano constructed just outside the southern topographic rim of the 14 x 16 km Pleistocene Amatitlàn caldera. A cluster of dacitic lava domes occupies the southern caldera floor.

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Acatenango Volcano, Fuego Volcano, Agua Volcano, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of View of the Guatemalan Highland from Pacaya Volcano with (left to right) Acatenango, Fuego and Agua volcanoes. Near San Francisco de Sales Village, Department of Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America.

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Guatemalan Highlands, Acatenango Volcano, Fuego Volcano, Agua Volcano, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of View of the Guatemalan Highland from Pacaya Volcano with (left to right) Acatenango, Fuego and Agua volcanoes. Near San Francisco de Sales Village, Department of Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America.

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Guatemala Highland, Fuego Volcano, Agua Volcano, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of View of the Guatemalan Highland from Pacaya Volcano with (left to right) Fuego and Agua volcanoes. Near San Francisco de Sales Village, Department of Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America.

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Agua Volcano, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Agua Volcano seen through volcanic ash from Pacaya Volcano erupting. Near San Francisco de Sales village, Department of Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America. Pacaya is a complex volcano, consisting of an older stratovolcano, domes, flows, tephra, and the modern basaltic stratovolcano. Most of the complex has formed in the last 23,000 years. Pacaya is the active vent in the Cerro Grande-Pacaya-Cerro Chino volcanic complex. June, 2001: Volcàn Pacaya has been made a national park. A visitor's center/ticket booth has been constructed at San Francisco de Sales In the summit of this volcano, that is the crater, you will see the Cerro de Agua, and if it is clear you can also see the volcanoes Agua, Acatenango and Fuego Pacaya volcano is located between the Departments of Guatemala and Escuintla, and it has a height of 2,550 meters.

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Vergilio Carrera, Pacaya Volcano erupting, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Vergilio Carrera in front of Pacaya Volcano erupting on June 1 1995. Near San Francisco de Sales village, Department of Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America. Pacaya erupted between 0630 and 0700 on 1 June 1995, sending up a 6-km-high plume. Hot ash burned vegetation and damaged radio-antenna equipment near the summit. A thin layer of ash extended as far as 2 miles (3.5 km) away from the vent, with ashfall reported 2.5 km N in San Francisco de Sales and 3.5 km W in El Patrocinio. Analysis of the eruption using GOES-8 satellite images revealed a plume moving to the southeast at 12 miles/hr (19 km/hr). The plume rose to a height of 5.6 miles (9 km). A plume visible at 0715 on GOES-8 satellite images was moving SE at ~19 km/hr, prompting a NOAA Volcano Hazard Alert at 1000. Analysis based on comparison of wind shear data and observed translation of the plume suggested that the plume rose to ~9 km altitude. Eddie Sanchez noted that venting ash destroyed the 1984 spatter cone (SEAN 10:03), called "El Hornito," located roughly midway between the N caldera rim (Cerro Chino) and the previously active MacKenney cone. In place of El Hornito was a small crater venting lava, a substantial amount of which flowed south. Pacaya is 18 miles (30 km) south of Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala. Pacaya is a stratovolcano that has erupted at least 20 times since 1565. Since 1965, the volcano has been erupting almost continuously with pauses between eruptions lasting only a few months. Recent eruptions produced a 2.8-mile (4.5 km) tall Strombolian eruption column in 1989 and lava flows in 1989-91. Eruptions from Pacaya, one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, are frequently visible from Guatemala City, the nation's capital.

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San Pedro Volcano, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of San Pedro volcano at sunset with a jaguar-god like cloud over Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America.

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Lago Atitlan, San Pedro Volcano, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Canoes on Lago Atitlan with the slope of San Pedro Volcano near Santiago Atitlan Village, Guatemala

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Tzutujil Mayan Women, Lago Atitlan, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan women gather water and fishermen in Hoku canoes fish on Lago Atitlan. Santiago Atitlan village, Department of Sololà, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayas washing, Lago Atitlan, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan women wash in Lago Atitlan near Santiago Atitlan village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayans, Lago Atitlan, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan women wearing traditional costumes called huipiles wash in Lago Atitlan near Santiago Atitlan village, Department of Sololà, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayans washing, Lago Atitlan, San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan women wash in Lago Atitlan near San Juan la Laguna Village where the Las Artesanas de San Juan are located. San Juan la Laguna Village, Department of Sololà, Guatemala, Central America

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Political signs, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of PAN political party signs in Santiago Atitlan Village, Lago Atitlan, Department of Sololà, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan girl, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Tzutujil Mayan girl in a crowd in the Santiago Atitlan village market on Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan girl, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Tzutujil Mayan girl in Santiago Atitlan village on Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan weaves with backstrap loom, San Juan la Laguna, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan woman weaving textile with a backstrap loom at Las Artesanas de San Juan weaving co-operative in San Juan la Laguna Village on Lago Atitlan. San Juan la Laguna Village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Mayan woman weaving with backstrap loom, Las Artesanas de San Juan, San Juan la Laguna, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan woman weaving textile with a backstrap loom at Las Artesanas de San Juan weaving co-operative in San Juan la Laguna Village on Lago Atitlan. San Juan la Laguna Village, Department of Sololà, Guatemala, Central America

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Tzutujil Mayan weaving, Las Artesanas de San Juan, San Juan la Laguna, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan woman spinning textile at Las Artesanas de San Juan in San Juan la Laguna Village on Lago Atitlan. San Juan la Laguna Village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Weaving Tool, San Juan la Laguna Village, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Wextile weaving tool at Las Artesanas de San Juan. San Juan La Laguna Village, Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala.

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Tzutujil Mayan woman weaving, San Juan la Laguna, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan woman weaving textile on a wooden loom at Las Artesanas de San Juan in San Juan la Laguna Village on Lago Atitlan. San Juan la Laguna Village, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America.

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Tzutujil Mayan ritual for Maximon, Santiago Atitlan, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Tzutujil Mayan ritual for the Mayan god called Maximon (San Simon). The Tzutujil Maya people offer the idol various things like alcohol, cigarettes, and money to appease the Mayan effigy that stands between the Tzutujil Mayan shamans. Santiago Atitlan Village, Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America

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Massacre Tombstones, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Spirits at Santiago Atitlan village on Lago Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala, Central America. Site of December 1, 1990 massacre in Santiago Atitlan village: A military base was set-up in Santiago Atitlan to control the guerrillas. Instead the army terrorizes, tortures and kills innocent villagers whom the military select at random. After years of this, on the night of December 1, 1990, two drunken soldiers shot and killed an innocent villager. This generated a group of around two thousand Mayas to approach the army base. The soldiers opened fire killing thirteen people including three children and wounded twenty more people. After this massacre around twenty thousand Mayas signed a petition and protested to expel the army. This pressure made the army leave Lago Atitlan. Santiago Atitlan was the first Maya village to expel the army.

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Quiche Mayans wearing Colonial costumes, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayans dancing, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Baila Del Torito, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Baila Del Torito, Fiesta De Santo Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Baila Del Torito during the Fiesta De Santo Tomas Quiche Mayans dance wearing masks and costumes mimicking Colonial Spanish characters. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Palo Volador, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Palo Volador during the Fiesta De San Tomas in front of Church of Santo Tomas. Quiche Mayans wearing Spanish masks and costumes mimicking monkeys spin around the pole and their ropes unravel form the pole on each turn and lower them to the ground. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan cofradia offering to Santo Tomas, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of During the Fiesta De San Tomas a Quiche Mayan cofradia (shaman or priest) offers gifts to Santo Tomàs in front of Santo Tomas cathedral. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Maya cofradia, Pascual Abaj ceremony, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche Mayan cofradia (shaman) blowing aguardiente liquor into a ceremonial fire to apease the Mayan god Maximon also called San Simon. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Rooster head pagan sacrifice, Chichicastenango Cemetary, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Sacrificed rooster's head on a cross at the Chichicastenango village cemetary. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Pascual Abaj pagan ceremony site, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mayan god Pascual Abaj ceremonial site on a mountaintop overlooking the town of Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Chichicastenango market comedor, Chichicastenango Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of During the market at Chichicastenango village people come to this comedor (restaurant) to eat. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Chichicastenango village market, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Evening time at the market in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Maya woman selling cotton candy, Fiesta De San Tomas, Chichicastenango, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of During the Fiesta De San Tomas a Quiche Mayan woman selling cotton candy at a makeshift fun park at the market. Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Quiche Mayan woman, Chichicastenango market, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Quiche Mayan woman in Chichicastenango village. Chichicastenango, Department of Quiche, Guatemala, Central America

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Cakchiquel Mayan woman selling textiles, Semana Santa Procession, Holy Week Procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Cakchiquel mayan woman selling textiles at the Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Cakchiquel Mayan selling textiles, Semana Santa Procession, Holy Week Procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Cakchiquel mayan woman selling textiles at the Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Cakchiquel Mayan woman, gold stars in teeth, Semana Santa procession, Holy Week procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Cakchiquel mayan woman with gold stars in her teeth at the Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Cakchiquel maya woman with gold stars in teeth, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Cakchiquel mayan woman with gold stars in her teeth at the Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Indigenous woman carrying a textile basket, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of An indigenous woman carrying a basket of textiles. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Cakchiquel Mayan selling textiles, Semana Santa Procession, Holy Week Procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of A Cakchiquel mayan girl selling textiles at the Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa Procession, Holy Week Procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa Procession, Holy Week Procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa Procession, Holy Week Procession, La Antigua, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Antigua Guatemala, Semana Santa Procession, Holy Week Procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Antigua Guatemala, Semana Santa Procession, Holy Week Procession, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Semana Santa Processions, Holy Week Processions, La Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Holy Week Processions, Semana Santa Processions, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Holy Week Processions, Semana Santa Processions, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Holy Week Processions, Semana Santa, Antigua, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Semana Santa procession. Holy Week procession. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America The Semana Santa procession combines Catholic doctrine with Mayan traditions and values. Robed men and women carrying these great Anda, a large float with religious effigies, and walk across elaborate tapestries made of flowers and dyes spread in front of churches, homes, and in plazas. La Antigua (Antigua UNESCO World Heritage Site), Department of Sacatepequez, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Mayan Shepherd, La Ventosa, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Jose Mendoza, a Mam Mayan from La Ventosa village in the Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, Huehuetenango District, Guatemala, Central America. Jose Mendoza, a Mam Mayan from La Ventosa village in the Cuchumatanes Mountains, has been a shepherd since childhood. His opportunity for an education is lost, partly because his family needs him to work, and also the lack of money to afford school supplies. Jose a Mam Maya schoolteacher explains: "According to law our children have the right for a free education, but the reality is very different. The children pay 20 Quetzals for school material but the material either doesn't arrive or arrives to late. The government sells these materials to book stores for more than the school children can pay. The children then cannot afford to buy the supplies from these stores. The government is supposed to give milk to the children at school but no milk arrives. Many children have to travel for two hours to arrive at school without anything in their stomach. We want the government to send the school materials at the beginning of the school and to the school - not later after selling them to book stores for more money." Some teachers, like Jose, have a small village hotel and donate fifty percent of their profit to help the children buy schoolbooks.

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Mam Mayan Shepherd, La Ventosa, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan children shepherds. Near La Ventosa village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Mayans herding sheep, La Ventosa, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan child with mother herding sheep near thier home at La Ventosa Village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America

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Mam Mayan Shepherd, La Ventosa Village, Guatemala

CAPTION: Photograph of Mam Mayan child with mother herding sheep near thier home at La Ventosa Village in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Sierra De Los Cuchumatanes, District of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Central America