Traditions of San Luis, Petén

Palo Encebado of San Luis Petén

Neighbors of the Mayan ethnic groups Mopàn Queckchi and Ladino of San Luis, every August 24, get up early and go to the Mayan mountains with the mission of cutting a tree of the species Valerio, which is taught and built on the top of the hill Sak Lu'um Blas Caal, a Mayan spiritual guide, states that a week before cutting it, twenty peasants enter the jungle. On August 24, more than a hundred peasants cut them and carry them on their shoulders to the urban area until they reach the high of the hill Sak Lu'um (maya mopán means white hill), not if before it receives the blessing of the Mayan gods, they peel it and then wax it and a group of young people climb it the last two days of the fair.

He adds that the winner is rewarded with liquor, money and handkerchiefs that he will have to share with his companions, likewise, prior to the Valerio cut, a second Maya mopán ceremony is held, in order to apologize, taking the trunk in a vehicle to the entrance of the community, to then do a third ritual performed by Mayan priests and local authorities.

Patronal Feast of the municipality of San Luis

The patronal feast of the municipality of San Luis is celebrated among different customs, traditions and activities of that region. This municipality is located in the southern region of the Petén department in the Republic of Guatemala.

Date of the patronal feast

August 25th

Saint patron

Saint Louis King of France

History

Proclaimed as Louis IX king of France, saint who distinguished himself during his life by his spirit of penance and prayer. The power he had did not corrupt him, he always sought peace and justice among the nations, he also knew how to defend the Church.

It was part of the Third Franciscan Order, founded several monasteries and ordered the construction of Saint-Chapelle in Paris.

He was in charge of two crusades whose purpose was to stop the invasion of the Muslims and liberate the tomb of Jesus Christ. He was canonized in 1297.

Activities

The celebration of the patronal feast of the municipality of San Luis begins with a series of religious activities to venerate the patron saint, among them are mentioned:

Blessing of candles, costumes and ceremonial instruments.

Procession of the image of San Luis accompanied by the Dance of the Deer.

Dawn and prayer of the rosary.

Traditional blessing in front of the central church.

One of the popular activities most awaited by the inhabitants of this municipality is the investiture and coronation of different queens of beauty, which takes place in the municipal coliseum.

In addition, the following activities are carried out:

· Burning of pyrotechnic games.

· Social and popular dances.

· Allegorical parade

· Sports encounters

· Ritual of stick stem taught.

· Special lunch for the matador's loaders.

· Lifting the stick taught.

· Dance of the sones.

· Mechanical games and sales of typical dishes.

THE CHATONE

La Chatona is one of the most emblematic traditions of the department of Petén, Guatemala, and consists of dancing a large doll (a little over two meters), during the festivities of the municipalities and other festivals, such as the day of the independence of the Republic.

The doll is constructed so that a person can enter it and can sustain the structure for a long time while dancing with the people around it.

This tradition, together with the horse, which usually accompanies "La Chatona", was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Guatemala.

Holy Week in San Luis

Holy Week in San Luis, Petén is celebrated with the exit to the street of manifestations of faith, called processions, usually organized by a brotherhood, now called associations of passion. In each procession of Holy Week there are processional strolls and steps, which are usually religious images of the Passion of Christ, or Marian images, although there are exceptions such as the allegorical steps or those of saints. There are also cones or loaders with their corresponding badges. In the processions penitents participate, who usually wear conical caps, which are called cornets, from which the nickname of the porters is derived.