Indigenous Queens of Guatemala

Following, is my introduction for a collaborative book project with the indigenous queens of Guatemala.

Guatemala abounds with natural splendor, archaeological wonder, fertile soil, and rich geological deposits. However, its indigenous people are its true wealth. Guatemala’s cultural diversity knows no limits. It is a nation of nations, each with its own traditions, clothing, and language. The Republic is home to twenty-four indigenous languages: Xinka, Garífuna, and twenty-two Maya idioms.

Maya weaving displays a brilliant spectrum of colors and a vast array of design elements, which illuminate life and ceremony and reflect the cultural diversity of the country. The symbolism of Maya textiles is like language. However, computer-designed clothing and serigraphs have diluted that idiom and forced weavers to abandon their looms. Poor people simply cannot afford fine woven fabric. Therefore, modern machine-made apparel provides them with an attractive alternative to the used clothing sent down from the North. Without the weavers, however, who will create the marvelous raiment of the Maya? Also, who will fashion the lavish ceremonial vestments which adorn and identify the indigenous queens of Guatemala?

Indigenous Queens and their Cargoes

‘Indigenous queen’ is a catch-all term for a woman charged, or, with cargo, to represent her town, municipality, department, or nation. ‘Cargo’ is a set of responsibilities which bestows prestige upon its recipient. Cargoes of indigenous queens go by various titles, often related to one’s town, its saint, or its flora. To many English-speakers, the word ‘queen’ evokes images of Barbie dolls being paraded on a runway – something demeaning and exploitative to women. Nonetheless, the Spanish term ‘reina’ (queen) has no negative connotation.

Still, many indigenous queens happen to be astonishing beauties. We are in the Maya world, after all, where rare beauty is anything but rare. The essence of an indigenous queen is not her physical beauty, however. Her essence comes from within. Intelligent and analytical, she is an ambassador, orator, and defender of the culture. She maintains the language and attire of her people and ideally works to better people’s lives and to protect the environment.

The Reign of an Indigenous Queen

The authors of this book began their reigns with little knowledge of neighboring nations within Guatemala. Most had seldom left home. During their reigns, however, they visited many places, where they talked to other queens about their customs and values. Thus, each learned about the clothing, languages, patron saints, ceremonial foods, and traditions of her peers. They became collectively a United Nations of sorts. Together they viewed the magnificence of Guatemala’s natural and social landscapes, gained respect for each other’s cultures, and felt racial and ethnic barriers disappear.

Reunion at Quivalá

In March 2016, members of Global Partners: Running Waters of Milwaukee, Wisconsin visited a potable water project in Canton Quivalá, Santa Cruz del Quiché. I joined the thirteen Americans, there, at an activity in the tiny Catholic Church. I invited some notable indigenous queens of the Department of El Quiché along to speak, thinking that these distinguished visitors would hearten Quivalá.

First in k’iche’, then Spanish, Marleny of Santa Cruz expressed empathy for the impoverished townspeople. Glenda of Patzité declared, “Water has a spirit.” Magdalena of San Juan Cotzal and Juana of Santa María Nebaj greeted the gathering in ixil and concluded in Spanish. Juana uplifted us all by proclaiming, “Anything’s possible!”

I had predicted the importance of the queens’ visit to the villagers. However, the gringo reaction surprised me: “powerful words,” “powerful women,” “such poise, such intelligence!” No doubt the folks from Milwaukee are still talking and musing about these impressive women who had given hope to Quivalá.

Reflections of the Indigenous Queens

That night an idea came to me — a book: In Our Words: Reflections of the Indigenous Queens of Guatemala. The following day I called the four whose speeches had helped me conceive the idea. They loved the plan and wished to contribute. Afterwards I called thirty other former and present queens and invited them to collaborate. They all accepted. Among the authors are five former Rabin Ajaw and spokespersons for seventeen distinct languages. The Rabin Ajaw (‘Daughter of the King’) is the maximum representative of the Guatemalan indigenous woman.

In Our Words hopes to dispel misconceptions about the indigenous queens. Some write about their own towns and cultures. Others address specific themes, for example: illiteracy, identity, corruption, racism, gender inequality, Maya spirituality, and the need to retain native clothing and language. We have assembled some of the most intelligent indigenous queens I have known.Listen.

Threats to the Culture

The Mexican invaders who accompanied Pedro de Alvarado in 1524 called this bounteous land Quauhtlemallan, ‘the land of many trees’. Many Guatemalan towns and places still bear the names of trees, although they are treeless. Garbage, plastic, dead animals, and human refuse clog our rivers, until rains wash them all to the sea. Trash lines the roadways. Cyanobacteria blooms in Lake Atitlán; and Lake Amatitlán is dead. The natural splendor of Guatemala sadly wanes.

Indigenous cultures also face threats. They survived the Conquest, however: the Spanish Colony, President Ubico’s tyranny, the US-sponsored overthrow of President Árbenz, and the Guatemalan Civil War. I trust they will also survive computer-designed clothing, Facebook, cell phones, modern-day invasions by religious proselytizers and NGO’s, and governance by war criminals and comedians.

The indigenous queens of Guatemala, the defenders of the Maya, Xinka, and Garífuna cultures, offer hope these cultures will persevere. I donate the photographs accompanying the following essays to the authors, in gratitude for their valiant defense of the indigenous cultures of Guatemala.

William Muirhead

Indigenous Queens of Santiago Atitlán and Palin Escuintla in Pueblo Nuevo Suchitepéquez

The baby sister of the indigenous queen of Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Sacatepéquez (idiom kaqchiquel)

Attendant (left) with indigenous queen of Xecanchavox, San Cristóbal Totónicapán (idiom k´iche´)

These girls are from different parts of Cantel, Quetzaltenango and therefore speak k´iche´.

This attendant of the queen is from Xecam Cantel. Therefore, she speaks k´iche´.

Nadi is from Colotenango and so speaks mam. In addition being from Colotenango , she wears some of the most exquisite clothing in the Maya world.

Juana Ofelia represented San Gaspar Chajul, El Quiché and th0erefore speaks ixil. She was also first finalist in the election of Flor Nacional del Pueblo Maya in Xela 2010. However, she may have been the victim of fraud.

Catalina Linda is from Almolonga and is therefore a k’iche speaker. She also celebrates San Pedro, June 29.

On the left is the representative of San Ildefonso Ixtahuacán. On the right is the Flor del Pueblo of Santiago Chimaltenango, both of the Department of Huehuetenango. They wear clothing intended for a colder climate and therefore suffer in the heat of El Palmar, Quetzaltenango.

Rosa Argentina is from Santiago Atitlán. Therefore, she speasks tzutujil.

Astrid was the Hija del Pueblo) of Xela and therefore speaks k’iche’ However, her English is better than her ñ´iche´.

Brenda is from a town of Xela named El LLano del Pinal and therefore speaks k’iche’.

Here stand the representatives of Xecanchavox and Totónicapán. The sea of women behind them, however,are all dressed in the clothing of Zunil.

Ana Esperanza was indigenous queen of Palín Escuintla and therefore speaks poqomam. She also celebrates San Cristóbal, July 30.

Astrid again, but the real subject of this photograph is the man to the left in the background.

The farewell dance for an exiting queen is a happy but sad event. Rafaela, the exiting queen is from Justo Rufino Barrios, Olintepeque and therefore speaks k´iche´. She also celebrates Santa Cruz, May 3.

This dama, or attendant of indigenous queen, is from Santo Domingo Suchitepéquez. Her idiom therefore is k’iche’.She aLSO CELEBRATES sANTO dOMINGO, aUGUST 4.

Brenda is a former queen of San Lorenzo Suchitepéquez, and therefore speaks k’iche’. The real photo, however, is of the parents of the exiting queen dancing.

San Lorenzo holds a small fair for the titular saint on August 10. However, the real patron of San Lorenzo is the Virgin of Candelaria, February 2.

This is a former Daughter of the Town of Santa María Nebaj and thereofre speaks ixil. However, after completing her cargo, she participated in a sexist class of beauty contest. Before this lapse, however, no one spoke more forcefully in defense of the Maya culture than did Juana.

Delia Maquin Cucul is, a former Rabin Ajaw from El Estor Izabal. and therefore speaks q’eqchi. Here Delia wears clothing of San Sebastián Reu, however. They call the monument in the background El Cerrito (Little Mountain), but it is actually a Maya pyramid.

Although the mayor of El Estor IIzabal did not support Delia´s participation in Cobán, her friends and neighbors believed in her. They therefore backed her, and she became the Rabin Ajaw 2015.

She is the Cacao Flower of San Antonio Sucitepéquez and so speaks k’iche’. However, many young Maya of the Coast no longer understand native idiom.

This is a coronation in the ixil town of San Juan Cotzal , El Quiché. However, the girls in the middle in the foreground are from Santo Tomás Chiché, El Quiche end San Luís Jiltepeque, Jalapa. Therfore the one on the left speaks k’iche’. Likewise, the one on the right speaks poqomam.

These queens are k’iche’ speakers from San Bernardino Suchitepéquez. However most coastal youth have forgotten k´iche´.

This former queen is from Santo Tomás la Unión, Suchitepéquez and so speaks k’iche´. She aslo wears the traditional clothing of Zunil. ‘.

This Maya ceremony opens the festivities for an election at the national level in Sab Bernardino, Suchitepéquez.

Angelica Maquin Cucul, who won the election in San Bernardino, is from Cobán, Alta Verapaz and therefore speaks q’eqchi. She also celebrates Santo Domingo August 4.

This indigenous queen is from San Antonio Ilotenango and therefore speaks k’iche’. She also celebrates the early Christian saint, San Antonio Abad.

Indigenous queen from Santo Tomás Chiché, El Quiché

Yolanda, was indigenous queen from Nimasac, San Andrés Xecúl. Therefore, she speaks k´iche´.

Although Yolanda´s father passed just three days before she was to give up her cargo, she surrendered her crown with dignity and poise.

Sucely was an indigenous queen of San Juan Ostuncalco, Quetzaltenango and therefore speaks mam. Also, she celebrates San Juan, June 24.

A former queen of San Francisco el Alto, Totónicapán, she therefore speaks k’iche. She also celebrates San Francisco, October 4.However, here she is with the cataract of San Jorge la Laguna, Sololá in the background.

She is Clara Fernanda Gomez from Todos los Santos Cuchumatán, Huehuetenango, and is therefore a mam speaker.

Although the competiton is fearce in the election of Flor Nacional, Clara stood out above the rest in 2014.

A former queen of Zunil, Ana Cristina therefore speaks k’iche’.

She is a former Nim Lak Ali (daughter of the cofradía),of Santo Domingo Suchitepéquez. However, this girl renounced her cargo. She began her reign going to many activities, but later disappeared.

A former indigenous queen of Parramos, Chimaltenango, who therefore speaks kaqchiquel.

She is from San Luís Jilotepeque Jalapa and therefore speaks poqomam. She als celebrates Luis, Rey de la Francia, August 25.

These attendantss are from Sacolajabaj, Patachaj, San Cristóbal Totónicapán, and therefore speak k’iche’.

Eunice was Rumeal Tinamit (Hija del Pueblo), of San Pablo la Laguna. She therefore speaks the idiom tzutujil.. She also celebrates San Pablo, January 25.

Magdalena was the indigenous queen of San Ildefonso Ixtahuacán and therefore speaks mam. San Ildefonso also has the distinction of being the only town represented by four Rabin Ajaw.

This queen is from Palestina, San Juan la Laguna and therefore speaks k’iche’.

The idiom of San Juan la Laguna is tzutujil. However, the residents of its poverty-stricken aldeas descend from k’iche’.-speakers from Totonicapán.

This young woman epresented Sumpango Sacatepéquez and therefore speaks kaqchiquel. Sumpango also celebrates San Agustín.

Wendy was the indigenous queen of Aldea Guineales, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán and therefore speaks k’iche’.

Guineales is part of the entryway to the Southern Pacific Coast (la Boca Costa). Therefore, it has a hot climate. Pasagul means land of bananas and plantains. Guinea is a class of reddish banana., hence the modern name of the town, Guineales.

A former queen of Xecam Cantel who, therefore speaks k’iche’.

Former indigenous queen is from Huitan, Quetzaltenango who therefore speaks mam.

The woman holding Jennifer is from San Juan la Laguna and therefore speaks tzutujil. She was not an indigenous queen, however. She holds the indigenous queen of San Andrés Iztapa. However, on this day, the little one represents Santa Marta Sumpango, with a cargo she won at the national level.

The Flor Sampedrana represented San Pedro Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, and therefore speaks kaqchiquel. She also represented Chimaltenango at the national level.

These indigenous queens are from San Bernardino and San Pablo Jocopilas Suchitepéquez and therefore their Maya idiom is k’iche. However, like so many from the Coast.they have largely forgotten their Maya idiom.

Laura Civil is a former queen of San Juan Alotenango, Sacatepéquez. Therefore, she speaks kaqchiquel. Also, she celebrates San Juan, June 24.

She represents Los Tuices, San Andrés Xecúl Toto. and therefore speaks k’iche’.

The ancestors of this former Infantile queen of San Bernardino Suchitepéquez spoke k’iche’., However, for Michelle Maya idiom is almost completely lost.

Guatemala has many beautiful cemeteries however none as pretty as the cemetery of Comitancillo, San Marcos, area mam.

Here is a former queen of San Bernardino, who, therefore speaks k’iche’.

Lety is the former Princesa Xolabaj, indigenous queen of Joyabaj, El Quiché. She therefore speaks k´iche´. Her patron saint is the Virgen of Transito on August 15th.

An infantile queen of Aldea San Antonio llas Flores, Sumpango and therefore speaks kaqchiquel. She also celebrates San Antonio de Padua on June 13.

This queen participating in the election of Flor Nacional in Xela’s municipal theatre is from San Pedro Soloma, Huehuetenango and therefore speaks q’anjob’al. Here she participates in an election won by a 27 year-old, even though the age limit was 25. However, fraud and corruption were the clear winners on this night. Xela, however, has a history for corruption in the election of Flor Nacional.

Mazat means deer in Nahuatl. Therefore, like Mazatlán, Mazatenango is the land of the deer. Thus, the queen of Mazatenango carries a deer head in the election for departmental queen.

Rosa Chavez is a former queen of Chicacao, who therefore speaks a good quality of tzutujil.

Here is a former infantile queen of Xella., whose idiom is therefore k’iche’. She also celebrates the Virgin of Rosario, October 7.

A former queen of Rabinal, Baja Verapaz, and therefore speaks achi. She also celebrates San Pablo, January 25.

Glendy Paola is a former indigenous queen of Comitancillo and therfore speaks mam. She also celebrates Santa Cruz on the third of May.

Miriam is a former queen of San Lorenzo Suchiepéquez, who, therefore speaks k’iche’. But, like many from the Coast, she doesn´t speak Maya idiom well.

This is the parade of queens in the coronation in Barreneché Toto. However, the man on the left is not a participant.

There is usually a social dance along with the festivities in a coronation. To illustrate,here the queens dance in Canton Las Cruces, San Bernardino.

Although many of her older counterparts do not speak native idiom, this infantile queen of Chuisuc Olintepeque speaks k’iche’very well. She was also the most popular and photographed of the queens during her reign.

The dama is from Joyabaj and so speaks k’iche”.

This is the parade of queens in the Coronation, of Santiago Sacatepéquez.

These queens are from communities of San Cristóbal Totónicapán and therefore speak k’iche’.

Lidia was the ndigenous queen of Chiquilaja, Quetzaltenango and therefore speaks k’iche’. She was Chiquilajá’s last queen, however. First, no one wished to accept her cargo for the expense inviolved. Second, Chiquilaja is largely evangelical and, therefore, no on wished to participate.

The Maya of Zunil retain their identity and their language and therefore this dama speaks k’iche’.

Dina was queen of San Rafael Petzal, Huehuetenango and therefore speaks mam.

Marleny is from San Andrés Sacabaja, El Quiche and so speaks k’iche’. She also celebrates San Andrés on November 30.

A former queen of Justo Rufino Barrios, Olintepeque, who, therefore speaks k’iche’. She also celebrates Santa Cruz on May 3.

The cultural diversity of Guatemala is immense, To illustrate, in this photograph three young women represent three idioms:: achi, k’iche’, and kaqchiquel.

This candidate is from Zunil and therefore speaks k’iche’.

Cristina was the former indigenous queen of Zunil and therefore speaks k’iche’. She also celebrates Santa Catalina de la Alejandría, November 25.

Glenda Chiti is from Patzite, El Quiché an so speaks k’iche’. She also celebrates the Virgin de la Candelaria, but on February 8, instead of the 2nd as in other places. Glenda is a strong speaker, who therefore won titles at the departmental and national levels.

It appears she is giving me the thumbs-up, but she is actually supporting the Lider political party. Chuisuc Olintepeque

Folkloric dance, San Bernardino Suchitepéquez. Although I´ve seen countless folkloric dances in Guatemala, I´ve never seen a dancer equal to Pascuala, pictured here.

She is from Huitán, Quetzaltenango and so speaks mam.

Again to illustrate the linguistic wealth of Guatemala are three queens representing three idioms: k’iche’, poqomam, and kaqchiquel.

Viviana is a former Rukotzijal Patziyafrom Patzicia, Chimaltenango She therefore speaks kaqchiquel. And she also celebrates Santiago, July 25.

Evelin represented San Lorenzo Suchitepéquez and therfore speaks k´iche´. However, she learned idiom in Aldea Vasquez, Totonicapán, where she was born.

The Guatemalan government gave land to people displaced by the Civil War as part of the Peace Accords. Therefore, people from various parts of Quetzaltenango and Totónicapán comprise Evelin´s community, Nuevo Amanecer. Although they now live in the heat of San Lorenzo, by the coast, most of the adult women still dress in clothing intended for colder conditions.

She is an Indigenous queen of Parramos, Chimaltenango and so speaks kaqchiquel.

The investiture of the new queen is also a happy but sad event for the exiting queen. Therefore, Sara of San Gabriel Suchitepéquez displays mixed emotions.

A former queen of Sumpango but pictured in San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá.

In 2010 Jeidi accompanied her cousin Brenda, then queen of El Llano del Pinal; Quetzaltenango. However, here she is several years later as the queen of her town.

An attendant from Zuil and therefore a k´iche´speaker.

Martina irepresented Joyabaj and thus speaks k’iche’. She was also first finalist in Cobán in 2014.

Maribel was Daughter of the Town in Nebaj and so speaks ixil. However, she is also from Aldea Pulay where the people speak both ixil and k’iche’. She therefore speaks both Maya idioms.

This queen is from Pueblo Nuevo Sucitepéquez. She is therefore a k´iche´speaker. She also appears to have very long hair.

However, when she runs away, we see that her hair was actually just the horse´s tail.

Caballero, Zunil but pictured in Panyebar, San Juan la Laguna

Jessica, pictured with her little sister, is from Santa Cruz Cajolá, Quetzaltenango and itherefore speaks mam. She also celebrates La Cruz on May 3rd.

Norma, in middle, was Ostuncalco´s queen representing the Virgin of Candelaria. She therefore gave up her cargo a few days before the fiesta of the Virgin, February 2nd. San Juan Ostuncalco. She also speaks mam.

These indigenous queens are from San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango and so speak kaqchiquel well. They do not know, however, what is going on in the background.

Queen of the Giant Kites from Santiago Sacatepéquez and therefore a kaqchiquel speaker

Indigenous Queen of Xecaracoj, Quetzaltenango, Quetzaltenango, she therefore speaks kíche´and celebrates María del Carmen, July 16th.

The young woman on the left represented El Tejar, Chimaltenango. Her patron saint is therefore San Sebastián celebrated January 19th. Also, her idiom is kaqchiquel. Her dancing partner is from Comitancillo, San Marcos, however. She therfore celebrates Santa Cruz, the 3rd of May and speaks Mam.

Likewise, many activities begin with a Maya ceremony, like this one in San Juan Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.

Clara Fernanda won the second highest cargo o0f Guatemala, Flor Nacional She also represented Todo los Santos Cuchumatán, Huehuetenango. Therefore, she celebrates St. Francis of Asissi (October 4th) and All Saints´Day (November 1st). Also, she speaks Mam.

Kimberly represnted San Bernardino Suchitepéquez. Unlike many representatives of the coast, she still speaks her idiom kíche´very well.

These four all wear clothing from the city of Chimaltenango. However, the second from the left is from Santa Clara la Laguna and therefore a k[iche[ speaker. She represnted Chimaltenango *a kaqchiquel town( at the national level.

The parade of the indigenous queens, also known as the caminata

Various queens of the departments of Solol[a and Chimaltenango but in Barrenech[e Totonicapán

Indigenous queen of Chuisuc Olintepeque, department of Quetzaltenango. She therfore speaks kiche´.

San Juan la Laguna is a tzutujil town. Its aldeas, however, speak k´iche´. Sandra represented aldea Panyebar. She therefore speaks k´iche´. Also, she celebrates St. Joseph, March19.

This infantile queen of a school is from San Cristóbal Totónicapán and therefore speaks k´iche´.

Lety was the Princesa Chicajau. She also won the title as indigenous queen of her department, Suchitepéquez. Her ancestors came from San Pedro la Laguna. Therefore, she speaks tzutujil.

The hair-wrap of this cook indicates she is from Santa Cruz Cajolá, Quetzaltenango. However,she now lives in The New Community Santa Cruz Cajolá, Champerico in the department of Retalhuleu. Despite the heat of her new home, however, she still wears the thick clothing of her original home in colder climes.

Infantile queens of Sacolajabaj, San Cristóbal Totonicapán but at an activity in Champerico.

An ex-queen of San Lucas Sacatepéquez with her sister in the election of the Princess of the Four Cardinal Points in Antigua Guatemala.

This was the last such election, however. The cargo has now been changed to the Princess of the Four Cultures, thus opening the door for the participation of a ladina. Therefore, this election will probably deteriorate into a sexist beauty contest.

Guatemala is home to 22 Maya idioms but also two other indigenous groups which are non-Maya: the Xinka and the Garifuna. Therefore, we say indigenous queens, not Maya queens. On this night, many Maya participated in the election of the Princess of the Four Cardinal Points of Guatemala. However, the absolute winner was the Xinka, Edilia Escobar. Not only was it a victory fo her home of Xalapán Jalapa, but it was a victory for the cultural diversity of the Republic.

An attendant from Palin Escuintla, who therefore speaks poqomam.

These male attendants (caballeros) are from San Juan Atitán Huehuetenango. Therefore, they speak mam and dress in the finest men´s clothing of Guatemala.

The indigenous queen of Chichicastenango and therefore a k´iche´speaker. She also celebrates Santyo Tomás on December 21.

Indigenous queen of Xela and therefore a k´iche´speaker.

Preparing chojín in the coronation in Santo Tomás la Union, Suchitepéquez. The cook was not only the infantile queen of Santo Tomás, but she also held cargo at the national level.

Daughter of the Town, San Sebastián Huehuetenago and therefore a mam speaker. She also celebrates San Sebastián on January 19.

Candidate for the Queen of the Giant Kites in Santiago Sacatepéquez and therefore a kaqchiquel speaker.

Girl from Huitán, Quetzaltenango, who therefore speaks mam.

Cobanera who therefore speaks q´eqchi´. She also celebrates Santo Domingo, August 4.

Nancy Graciela, indigenous queen of San Pedro la Laguna 2009 and therefore a tzutujil speaker. She also won a cargo at the national level and is now an attorney.

Indigenous queen of San Lucas Tolimán and therefore a kaqchiquel speaker.

The indigenous queen of San Andrés Xecul and therefore a k´iche´speaker. She also celebrates San Andrés, November 30.

Shirley, the infantile queen of San Gabriel with her entourage. Shirley speaks k iche´but learned in her hometown of Barrio La Reforma, San Cristóbal Totónicapán.

Various queens in a coronation in Palomora, San Andrés Xecul, but all pictured speak k´iche´.

The queens of Chiquilajá, Quetzaltenango and San Andrés Xecul, Totónicapán but in San Lorenzo, Suchitepéquez

The other indig0enous queens insisted that this girl wore fake lenses, but this is actually her eye color. She is from Concepción Chiquirichapa, Quetzaltenango and therefore speaks mam. She also celebrates the Virgin of Concepción, December 8.

This woman was born in Cajolá Quetzaltrenango and therefore speaks mam. She now lives, however, in the New Community Santa Cruz Cajolá Champerico.

Sucely represented San Juan Ostuncalco and therefore speaks mam.

Juana is from Santa María Nebaj and therefore speaks ixil.

The girl on left represents Santo Domingo Xenacoj, and so speaks kaqchiquel. On the right, the girl represents San Lorenzo and her idiom is thus k´iche´.

Again, to illustrate the linguistic diversity of Guatemala, we have represented (left to right) tzutujil, kaqchiquel, and poqomam.

Indigenous queen of Sumpango and therefore a kaqchiquel speaker. She also celebrates San Agustín, August 28.

Attendant dressed for the fair of San Sebastián Retalhuleu

The infantile queen of San Gabriel Suchitepéquez. She is known as the Flor Nardo and therefore carries a bunch of the fragrant flower of that name.

Ana Esperanza of Palín. Although she was only 16 years old when she participated in Cobán, she was the first finalist for Rabin Ajaw.

She is an ex-Indigenous queen of San Pedro Sacatepéquez, San Marcos and so speaks mam. She also celebrates San Pedro, June 29.

Ana Pop is an ex-indigenous queen of Zunil and so speaks k´iche´. She also held a title at the national level as the Queen of Olintepeque.

Sylvia is an ex-representative of San Luis Jilñotepeque Jalapa and so speaks poqomam.

Nelsia was born in Cajolá Quetzaltenango but represented Santa Cruz Cajolá CXhamperico.

Dama from Almolonga, who, therefore, speaks k´iche´.

Ex-Flor de Cacao of San Antonio Suchitepéquez and therefore a k iche´speaker.

Ana Floidalma, Flor Chimalteca of Santiago Chimaltenango, Huehuetenango. She therefore speaks mam and also celebrates Santiago (St. James) July 25.

Indigenous queen of San Martín Chile Verde, Quetzaltenango, who, therefore, speaks mam.