Chichicastenago

                This morning we left Xela, and made the two hour journey to the town of Chichicastenago. Among many things, Chichicastenago has a very high population of indigenous peoples and is home to one of Central Americas largest Artisan Markets. Guatemala is world famous for their beautiful artisinary goods; purses, blankets, quilts, table runners; all distinct by their beautifully detailed tapestries. Our trip here was partly about going to the market to buy gifts and other goods for ourselves but we also had an opportunity to hear from some very special women.

                As I mentioned before the war here affected and still affects the lives of many. We had the opportunity to meet with 10 women who were left widowed after the war. These women are just 10 of who knows how many others; their stories are distinct because their husbands were all brutally murdered by the Guatemalan “Civil Defense Patrol”.  Just to give a little back ground on the “Civil Defense Patrol”, this was created by the Guatemalan military to protect communities from the guerilla armies.  However, these so called “Civil Defense Patrol” were not always peaceful, it was more along the lines of you are with us or against us, agree or be killed. As one of the women shared with us, her husband refused to join the commission. He was beaten, mutilated with a machete and left nearly dead in the street where she found him. She brought him back to their home where he later died. As it was unsafe for her to have affiliation with people who the patrol saw as threat, she had to put is body back out on the street so her and her children would be safe from further persecution.

                In the wake of the war and the 1970’s earth quake these women all found themselves nearly starving with their children, homeless and widowed. In cooperation with a local Methodist church they decided they were going to do something about this, they learned the art of weaving. They started out with just about a hundred pounds of thread that was donated to them. They women split the thread up and began what is now a coop. 18 years later these women sell their hand made goods in local markets and are supporting themselves and their families.  We had the opportunity to break bread with these amazing women and hear their stories. We heard stories of babies being beaten to death with rocks, against trees and even tossed in the air and shot. Friends and family brutally murdered or simply disappeared, their bodies never to be seen again. The atrocities that these women survived is amazing, they still are able to get up every day and even smile.

                Hearing their stories put me back in reality. Sometimes I get stressed or worry about things in my life, but I have not and hopefully will not ever have to experience the things that they have endured and I am thankful for that.