CHAPINADAS

From July 19th to the 23rd in the city of Coban, Alta Verapaz it is possible to observe one of the most widely know traditions of Guatemala.  On those dates, will be taking place the National Festival.  In this Festival it is possible to get to know the cultural diversity of Guatemala.  During this festival, representatives of all the Guatemalan Ethnic groups congregate in Coban to show a little bit of their cultures.  This is a magnificent Festival which shows traditions, music and dances of the different regions of Guatemala. 

The most famous of this traditions if the election of "Rabin Ajaw" or "Hija del Pueblo" and the Paabank.  The Rabin Ajaw election is the election of the Mayan Queen with participants from all the Mayan groups of Guatemala.  This festival has its origins in the year 1968.   In 1968, Marco Aurelio Alonso organized the Festival of the Beautiful Indian from Coban.  The next year, the festival was renamed as Festival Folclorico Altaverapacense because it included participants from Baja Verapaz.  The next year, the title received by the winner of the festival was renamed as "Rabin Ajaw".  A few years later, Coban opened its arms to participants of all the Ethnic communities of Guatemala.

The Indian theatre and the amazing ceremonial clothing worn by the different groups are admired by Guatemalans and foreigners.  The Paabank means "Reafirmar" in the Queqchi language.  The meaning of this is to confirm the different beliefs of the different Guatemalan Ethnic groups.  In the Paabank, the participants and visitor eat food made specially for this festival like the kak-ik whick is turkey soup with pepper, boj and other specialties of the area. 
  

The abscence of rain in the last few days, has made the inhabitants of Quetzaltenango and visitors from other places, take advantage of the different turistic sites in this deparment.  Because the weather is hot, it is really tempting to take a swim in the different swimming pools and natural pools in Quetzaltenango.  In the Fuentes Georginas, the waters contain sulfur and therefore are hot.  Many of the inhabitants of the place swear that this waters are relaxing and contain the cure for many diseases.  In Almolonga, which is located 5 kilometers away from Quetzaltenango, the turistic center of Los Chorros is receiving a lot of turism too.  In this area of Guatemala there are several turistic centers that can be visited.  Places like San Bartolo Aguas Calientes in Totonicapan, Agua Tibia and La Castilla in San Pedro Sacatepequez also have places with Thermal waters.