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Guatemala Lifestyle and Culture

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Guatemalans have a strong cultural heritage that is u fusion of indigenous Mayan, European, and Caribbean influences. the diversity is visible in the various languages and lifestyles that exist throughout the country.

General etiquette

Mayan children greet adults by bowing their heads and sometimes folding their hands before them.. the Adults greet each other adults verbally by asking about one's health and that of one's family.

Among Ladino urban women, greetings and farewells include handshakes, arm or shoulder patting, embraces, and even cheek kissing. Men embrace and cheek kiss women friends of the family. if eye contact is made with a stranger on the street, a verbal "good morning" or "good afternoon" is customary.

Religion

Religion in Guatemala is a mixture of Mayan spiritual traditions, Catholicism, and Evangelical Christianity. The religious composition as of 2017 waas as follows: 88% Christianity, 45% Roman Catholic, 42% Protestant, 1% Other Christian, 11% being non-religious, and 1% Other religions including traditional mayan religions.

Food and cuisine

The cuisine has evolved from Maya, Latin American and Western traditions. Most meals in Guatemala traditionally revolve around the basic staples of beans and maize, though diets are changing due to increased exposure to international cuisine.

Pan de camote- pan de camote is a type of sweet bread that is made using sweet potatoes. Apart from the sweet potatoes, other ingredients include flour, butter, sugar, salt, yeast, and water, and it is usually brushed with eggs before baking.

Some versions add cow's milk or coconut milk to the dough, while others use vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, or even nuts to enhance the flavor.

corn tortilla- is Maize that is traditionally ground by hand and shaped by clapping it between two hands, and then cooked on a comal (a flat pan of clay) placed over the fire.

Revolcado- is a Guatemalan curried stew made out of a small pig's head and entrails, tomatoes, tomatillos, bell peppers, chiles guaques, garlic, onions, and annatto. The sauce can sometimes be thickened with corn flour, and the stew is typically served as a winter dish.

Pepian- This  is a tasty stew often referred to as the national dish of Guatemala. It shows a fusion of Mayan and Spanish cultures and a taste of both, and is characterized by its thick and rich consistency, and usually contains meats such as beef, chicken, or pork, along with fruits and vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, corn, pear, and squash.

Hilachas- is a staple of Guatemalan cuisine.it is a red-colored stew with ingredients such as shredded beef and vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, or carrots. The name hilachas means shreds or rags, referring to shredded beef.

Music

There are different forms and genres of music in Guatemala. There are traces of Mexican and carribean influences. You can find ranchera and Tejano music and sometimes you stumble upon a mariachi band playing at a restaurant or party. Along the Caribbean Coast, the Garifuna population tends to listen to more reggae music, including punta rock and reggaeton.

The most popular instrument in Guatemala is the marimba which is a large wooden xylophone that is played by stricking with mallets. It’s often played in upscale hotels and restaurants, especially in more popular destinations. during pre-Columbian times, Mayan instruments consisted of wooden flutes, drums, and bone rasps.

Sport

Football is the most popular sport in Guatemala. The national team competes in international tournaments. Guatemalan players plyu their trade in clubs in other national leagues, especially in Mexico and Uruguay.

Other sports include Baseball, basketball and volleyball. Bicycle racing is also done in many towns and cities. A minority like to embark on white-water rafting, kayaking, and surfing.

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