Casa de la Cultura
Santiago Chimaltenango
Casa de la Cultura in Santiago Chimaltenango will be used by the community in various ways. The first will be to celebrate the great Mayan History! Children will learn about their relationship to the past as they will study the Mayan contributions to human civilization. They will learn about the origins of their surviving traditions such as their deep connections to nature, their ancient language, their weaving practices as well as their musical and artistic expressions. It will also be a place for the community to gather for meetings, festivals and ceremonies.
The primary purpose of Casa de la Cultura in Santiago Chimaltenango is to celebrate the unique identity of the people who have lived here for centuries. The history of the indigenous people in Guatemala has been fraught with countless injustices. Starting with the Spanish conquest of this nation more than 500 years ago, to the continued domination by Western corporate interests, the identity of the people who have lived on this land from time immemorial has needed to adapt to the changing world. They have adapted, but have not succumbed to globalism as they have worked to integrate their ethnic heritage with the modern world. Casa de la Cultura will provide a structure to celebrate the Mayan worldview and pass it on to the future generations.
Casa Cultura is also helping the community by providing jobs. All of the work performed building Casa Cultura is done by local artisans. Even the windows and the doors are made by hand using wood from trees nearby the village!