Ixil Community
The Ixil Community is a name given to three neighbouring towns in the Quiché department in the western highlands of Guatemala.[1] These towns are Santa Maria Nebaj, San Juan Cotzal, and San Gaspar Chajul.[2] The area's population is predominantly of Ixil descent. When viewed on a map, the three Ixil towns appear to form a triangle, because of this, is also named Ixil Triangle.[3]
Culture
Due to its location in the Cuchumatanes mountains,[4] the Ixil Community has remained isolated from the rest of the world. Its people have therefore maintained their traditional culture — free from influences of the outside world. Most men are farmers, and most women are weavers.
The people of the Ixil Community primarily speak the Ixil language.[5] Some villagers speak Spanish as a secondary language.
Turmoil During Civil War
During the Guatemalan Civil War, the Guerrilla Army of the Poor (EGP) used the surrounding mountains as a base of operations.[6] The Guatemalan Army pursued a scorched-earth policy to destroy villages.[1] The villagers of the Ixil Community were caught in the crossfire, and thousands of civilians were killed, tortured, or missing.[6][7]
The army's campaign against civilians in this region may have been motivated partially by a desire "to weaken and eventually eradicate Maya culture." Villagers slowly learned not to wear their traditional Maya clothing, because its distinctive appearance made them easy targets for soldiers.
References
- 1 2 Manz, Beatriz (1988). Refugees of a hidden war: the aftermath of counterinsurgency in Guatemala. SUNY Press. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-88706-676-4.
- ↑ Manz, Beatriz (1988) p.97
- ↑ Argueta, Al (2007). Moon Handbooks Guatemala. Avalon Travel. p. 109. ISBN 978-1-59880-057-9.
- ↑ Argueta, Al (2007) p.150
- ↑ Perera, Victor (1995). Unfinished Conquest: The Guatemalan Tragedy. University of California Press. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-520-20349-5.
- 1 2 McNally, Shelagh (2003). Adventure Guide to Guatemala. Hunter Publishing, Inc. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-58843-347-3.
- ↑ Argueta, Al (2007) p.151
External links