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Cackchiquel Mayan at the Tecpan Market
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Where It's At
The Tecpán Market is a central feature of the
small community of Tecpán. The village is situated
80km west of Guatemala City on the Pan-American Highway.
It is nestled in the central highlands and is close to the
Iximche ruins. The people of Tecpán are descendants
of the Cackchiquel Maya group, and consist mostly of
peasant farmers. In Tecpán you are more likely to hear
Kaqchikel (a Mayan dialect) spoken instead of Spanish.
What's in Store
The market is such a central feature of the community that
Tecpán is seen as a market town, and every Thursday,
Saturday and Sunday the town comes alive when the farmers
of Tecpán and surrounding villages flock to the market
to sell their produce. Avocados and beans are
some of the main products of the area. You can buy freshly
squeezed orange juice for a couple of cents and all
kinds of fruit and vegetables here. For travellers on a tight
budget, this is the place to shop.
The market itself is a colourful spectacle. The Mayan women
manning the stalls wear their traditional hand-made garments.
These garments are practical as well as symbolic because the
brocade in each garment indicates which village the wearer
comes from. This market can be seen as more 'authentic' to
the traditions of the people because the Tecpán Market
hasn't been as influenced by tourism as other Guatemalan Markets.
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Justine Shapiro sample local fruits and veg at the market
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