Life and Labor
Life and labor on the southern coast are similar to those of the highlands. In both regions, tremendous wealth exists alongside desperate poverty. Like Maya highlanders, many coastal Maya are farmers. Their crops are different, however.
Both regions produce corn, the crop which helped spur the growth of Maya civilization. Both too have large coffee plantations. However, the colder regions produce apples, pears, peaches, avocados, and every class of vegetable; whereas, the coast provides Guatemala and much of the world with its tropical fruits. Mangoes, bananas, and papayas grow around Lake Atitlán, but not in abundance as at the coast. In the hot-lands too are pineapples, hibiscus, and a variety of exotic fruits which do not grow in the highlands.
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This mother is from Patulul but visiting in San Bernardino, Suchitep{equez.
The tzutujil Maya of San Pedro Cutzán, Chicacao, Suchitepéquez descend from San Pedro la Laguna. but are far poorer than those from the parent city.
For example, this family caring for grandfather in Cutzán lives in dire poverty.
Meanwhile , others live in luxury. For example, look at this modern kitchen in San Pablo Jocopilas, where one doesn’t even have to go to the refrigerator to get a fresh egg.
Ladrillo means brick. Therefore, this woman{s town, la Ladrillera, San Pablo Jocopilas is the place where bricks are made.
Samayac was in fiesta on this day, but this arthritic man couldn{t enjoy the festivities.
Initially, i felt that photographs of mothers breast’feeding were an invasion of one{s privacy. However, I later learned that Maya mothers, like Carmen, loved to have these memories .
The towns of the southern coast are industrious but none so hard-working as Samayac.
Her blouse may appear immodest, but it{s hot in San Bernardino (San Ber). The cloth on her hip is a chongo. However, highlanders call it a pistol. Therefore, they call the women of the coast pistoleras.
This was a mean trick in San Bernardino, but it was his sister{s idea. Honest.
It{s her bull, but this girl from Canton las Cruces, San Ber is scared anyway.
Selling Mexican sandwiches but in Mazatenango, Suchitep{equez.
Its good to have a sense of humor while living in humble circumstances, as does this family from San Gabriel,.
At that age these twins from San Lorenzo, Suchitep{equez looked like boys. However, they have become pretty girls.
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Her life in Canton Santa lucia, Santo Domingo is hard, but look at her smile.
Is this photo in Cuyotenango stupid, or what?
It’s beautiful in the cane fields of San Andrés Villaseca at sunrise. However, straight north the giant sugar processing plant El Pilar sends clouds of smoke billowing in the air. Meanwhile, further in the background, Santiaguitp erupts.
I{ve take photos of Antonia of Champerico for years, but this was the first, and the best.
Here we are in Champerico, but the walking saleswoman is from Mazate.
I rarely see horses near Lake Atitl{an, but in Champerico there are plenty.
This is El Triunfo, an agrarian community of Champerico in Retalhuleu. But its people emigrated from the highland towns of Nebáj and Santa Cruz del Quiché, in the Department of El Quiché.
However, the woman of El Triunfo still wear clothing made for a colder climate. For example, this weaver is from Santa María Nebáj.
