Cultural Changes In Guatemala

When I went to Guatemala the culture there was very colorful. I realized the people there don’t speak english. Their first language was spanish. Which was fine to me, since I know how to speak spanish. My

My cultural identity, as I know is Mexican American because both my parents are born in Mexico and I was born here. I can also be defined as a Chicana because that is another way used to call a Mexican American. My culture can be seen in so many different ways like for example it can be seen in food, music, religion, dance, art, festivals, and even more. Most of these traditions have changed a little bit over time as they were brought to the U.S. What I mean by that is that some of those traditions were brought from Mexico, and had a little change into them because they were combined with some traditions that have already been here in the U.S.

Guatemala is located in Central America and it is bordered by Mexico towards the North and West. The population of Guatemala is very diverse, over 15 million people consist mainly of Mestizos, Amerindians, and Europeans. Approximately 182 live births average per day. (49.201 An hour) Guatemala means “land of forests”. The culture of Guatemala reflects strongly upon Mayan and Spanish influences and continues to be defined as a contrast between villagers and high landers. Much of the customs in Guatemala are widely

     Guatemala’s culture is a unique product of Native American ways and a strong Spanish colonial heritage. About half of Guatemala’s population is mestizo (known in Guatemala as ladino), people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry. Ladino culture is dominant in urban areas, and is heavily influenced by European and North American trends. Unlike many Latin American countries, Guatemala still has a large indigenous population, the Maya, which has retained a distinct identity. Deeply rooted in the rural highlands of Guatemala, many indigenous people speak a Mayan language, follow traditional religious and village customs, and continue a rich tradition in textiles and other crafts. The two cultures

Not everyone has experienced traveling to another country, but many people dated another individual from another country before. From a life experience, dating someone from Guatemala is a big experience for me because dating that person I was able to determine how Guatemala culture is just by the way he carries himself. This experience is very interesting because I was able to gain knowledge on how Guatemalans do things and it was like learning something new that I never knew about. However, it is very difficult because we both really don’t understand each other’s language. This is why it is important to understand the major concepts of ethnocentrism because people won’t always be around things that they are more familiar with.

Guatemala has more people than any other Central American country, with an estimated population of 11,980,000 it is home to many different cultures. The population can be divided into two groups; Indians and people of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry. But in Guatemala, being called an Indian or a non-Indian does not depend entirely on a person 's ancestry. It is basically a matter of how people live and of how they categorize themselves. For example, a Guatemalan is considered an Indian if he or she speaks an Indian language, wears Indian clothing, and lives in a community where the people follow the Indian ways of life. The Indians think of themselves more as part of their community than of their country. They pay little attention to

The first time my mom went over to my dads house for dinner it showed how different their cultures are. They all sat down for dinner when my mom noticed there were no forks, confused she asked where she could get them. My dad and his family all laughed and proceeded to eat their dinner without forks and instead with tortillas. Later on, I was born into this mix of american and hispanic culture. My parents have shaped the cultural identity I have from the type of food I eat, my hobbies, and the values I have.

I always refer back to my Salvadorian culture without even realizing it sometimes. I have learned that my beliefs, values and my way of thinking can impact someone?s life. They could be impacted in a positive or a negative way depending on how they received it. I always try to make a change and make someone happy. My intentions are not to hurt anyone but to show respect. I am the one who decides to whether I follow all of my cultural beliefs or not and that?s what helps me to learn what things are going to be best that will guide me through

Many Mexican people have preserved and still do many of their ancestors’ traditions. Tradition plays a big role in my family for example: the food we eat, the music we listen to, what we dance to and what we celebrate to. I wanted a sweet sixteen but of course being Mexican my parents said no. Being in the Mexican culture tradition is that when you turn 15 you’re supposed to have a Quinceanera it symbolizes that you are no longer a kid but you are now a young women. Many people think a Quinceanera is just a party but the real tradition is to have a church mass. Since I am catholic that consists of me going to church and thanking God.

The climate is much different in Guatemala. While they have a dry season and it will not rain from October till at least a couple months after February, we have a lot of our rain during these months. In my city we all have electricity and our houses are all wired with a surplus of sockets and individual switches; while in Cesar’s village the countryside is just recently receiving electricity, and their homes only have two sockets and one switch that turns them on and off at the same time. Our Easter celebrations are similar, we both decorate eggs and dress up; but while they dance and set off firecrackers; we have scavenger hunts, go to church, and have a fancy dinner. We both have similar goals to improve our city and to succeed in school.

From the outside looking in, when knowing someone identifies as a certain culture i notice that it is not only a way of self identification that was passed down from suffering and scrutiny but it is also a way of moving on from a certain struggle that has oppressed them for so many years.

The Guatemalan culture is very different than the American culture. They eat and drink almost the same food as us but at different times. Almost every meal in Guatemala consists of black beans, white rice, and corn tortillas. Their breakfast is a little different then us as they eat scrambled eggs with fried plantains. Fresh fruit is very common as they love it in Guatemala. The country’s favorite meat are chicken and beef. These meats and all other meats are usually salted and put in chili sauce. There traditional snacks are tamales and empanadas. They usually drink weak coffee with little milk along with their meals. They also love having fruit juice mixed with water or milk. In Guatemala they can’t drink their tap water because it’s not clean which could result in upset stomach or infections. Guatemala has similar foods to us but they still don’t have the amount of food or sanitation we have in America.

My culture identity, as I know it as is African American. My culture can be seen in food, literature, religion, language, the community, family structure, the individual, music, dance, art, and could be summed up as the symbolic level. Symbolic, because faith plays a major role in our daily lives through song, prayer, praise and worship. When I’m happy I rely on my faith, same as when I’m sad, for I know things will get better as they have before.

My ethnicity plays a huge part of my cultural identity. My family originates fully from different parts of Russia and the former Soviet Union. I have been to Russia twice, the first time when I was about nine months old(I don't remember anything) and the second time is when I was seven. Usually when a person goes to a place that they have never been to the experience a cultural shock, but I didn't because I was raised in a similar culture as the one I visited. As a Russian I grew up having my parents tell me that I have to speak only Russian at home so then when I grow up and marry and have kids, I would be able to teach my (future) children their native language. My parents taught me to read, write and speak in proper russian, and the same is expected of me. I also grew up eating a lot of Russian food, the most common ones I had were borsh- a beet and cabbage red soup. Blini- our version of the French Crȇpe

Every person descends from a place where there ancestors have passed down rituals and beliefs to continue their tradition, and I believe it 's a beautiful thing. I am a very cultural person and am proud of who I am. My ethnicitys make me who I am and I feel very proud to be what I am and grateful for the lifestyle I have. I believe growing up in an ethnicity your proud of, you cherish it and choose to embrace it. Observing different types of cultures is very interesting to me, because I can compare the differences and similarities between one another. There 's some questions I could ask about certain rituals certain family 's do, but then it just all goes back to their culture. Take me for instance, I 'm actually a mix plate but one