...we have reached Independence Day weekend!
September 14:
There is a tradition here in Guatemala that I don't think I wrote about last year. I don't know all the details or "whys", but I will tell what I know.
In the days leading up to the 15th of September, representatives from communities and neighborhoods around the country send "runners" to a large town to light antorchas, or torches. They may run to a city close to them, or they may choose one that is a great distance away. Many people run to Antigua or to Guatemala City. The runners from our housekeeper Maria's community are running to the coast this year-- a 3+ hour drive.
As we drove to/from school this past week we passed many groups running along the highway to the capital.
Yesterday in Antigua they had the main fire set up in the Park. Many groups started here, lit their torches, then set off on their run back to their community. Other groups ran through Antigua.
Guatemalans are very patriotic; this tradition is to express their love for their country and as a way to carry on into the next year.
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| The busy Park. |
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| Lighting a torch. |
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| A rousing speech from the "Master of Ceremonies" |
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| Off they go! |
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| And this group is off! |
And some videos, if they will work. Turn your volume All the way up, and you can experience a fraction of the noise: the whistles of the runners (like plastic referee whistles), sirens, cheering, music from 2 different bands at opposite corners in the park, marching band drums, bell from the ice cream cart, and so on...
At around 1:14, you will see another group of runners run through the crowd
And brought to you by some Colegio of the arts: A ballet in the parade:
My favorite sight, that I didn't get on video. A marching band of little bitty kids went through with dancers, baton girls, xylophones, and drums. A group of runners passed by them and started blowing their whistles in time to the little drummers!
September 15:
Wow! If you thought yesterday was loud, image 4 (or more?) marching bands in the space of 1 1/2 Guatemalan blocks playing at the same time, each playing a different sound, each keeping a different beat.
This video does not do it justice, but it's the best I've got:
That's about all I could take of that...
Thanks so much for sharing these photos! Both of the weather and the festivities. Our sponsored teen, Oscar, wrote to me in the spring about how much he loves to celebrate his country. And in his last letter, he wrote about the rainy season...how he loves to watch the rain pour down. Your photos just brought his letters to life for me! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah! That's good to hear that Oscar enjoys the rainy season; it probably means that his house has decent floors! Yes, Guatemalans are very proud of their country. They call themselves "Chapin" and I saw many people wearing head bands saying "Puro Chapin".
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