About Xela'

ABOUT QUETZALTENANGO (XELA)

Some of the most celebrated people in Guatemalan history were originally from Quetzaltenango including Otto René Castillo, who is considered the most influential writer in the country, President Jacobo Arbenz Guzman, who was overthrown by the CIA in 1954, and Jesús Castillo, the best known marimba composer in Guatemala and the world.

With a population 50% indigenous and 50% mestizos, the city is an example of how traditionally impoverished indigenous people have obtained economic and political power in Guatemala running small and big businesses. In 1986, Xelajú elected its first indigenous mayor in 150 years.

In 1848, Quetzaltenango won its independence from Guatemala, becoming the capital of "El Sexto Estado de los Altos". However, the Guatemalan army crushed the movement after two years of independence.

Within a few kilometers of the city there are several Mayan towns which are Famous for their busy markets and colorful traditional costumes and woven goods.

Uqul já is the original name of the Valley of Quetzaltenango that signifies “Throat of water." When the valley which was terreritory of Mam, was conquered by the Quichés (1400 AD approximately), they named this valley “Xelajuj” It means:
Xe: under, or by the foot; and lajuj: ten, in relation to the 10 mountains surrounding the valley of Quetzaltenango. Later, the Náhuatl that came with the Spanish conquerors gave the name of Quetzaltenango in May 15, 1524 which means“surrounding wall of quetzal" and settled down at the location now known as Salcajá. The settlement was relocated 4 years later to the valley of Xelajú in 1529 and since then the valley has been called Quetzaltenango.

The Quiché ruler and its people fought in the Spanish conquest and one of the fiercest battle start now!ed is the battle in the Valley of Urbina where Tecún Umán, the Quiché leader died in February 12, 1524.

Paragraphs cited from: folklore y turismo, patrimonio cultural y natural, historia de la arquitectura. Intecap Centro de Capacitación Quetzaltenango.

April 4 – 13, 2005 Insructor: Licda. Rosa Leonor de Ordóñez

ABOUT QUETZALTENANGO (XELA) Some of the most celebrated people in Guatemalan history were originally from Quetzaltenango including Otto René Castillo, who is considered the most influential writer in the country, President Jacobo Arbenz Guzman, who was overthrown by the CIA in 1954, and Jesús Castillo, the best known marimba composer in Guatemala and the world. With a population 50% indigenous and 50% mestizos, the city is an example of how traditionally impoverished indigenous people have obtained economic and political power in Guatemala running small and big businesses. In 1986, Xelajú elected its first indigenous mayor in 150 years.
	In 1848, Quetzaltenango won its independence from Guatemala, becoming the capital of "El Sexto Estado de los Altos". However, the Guatemalan army crushed the movement after two years of independence. Within a few kilometers of the city there are several Mayan towns which are Famous for their busy markets and colorful traditional costumes and woven goods.
Uqul já is the original name of the Valley of Quetzaltenango that signifies “Throat of water." When the valley which was terreritory of Mam, was conquered by the Quichés (1400 AD approximately), they named this valley “Xelajuj” It means: Xe: under, or by the foot; and lajuj: ten, in relation to the 10 mountains surrounding the valley of Quetzaltenango. Later, the Náhuatl that came with the Spanish conquerors gave the name of Quetzaltenango in May 15, 1524 which means“surrounding wall of quetzal" and settled down at the location now known as Salcajá. The settlement was relocated 4 years later to the valley of Xelajú in 1529 and since then the valley has been called Quetzaltenango.
	The Quiché ruler and its people fought in the Spanish conquest and one of the fiercest battle start now!ed is the battle in the Valley of Urbina where Tecún Umán, the Quiché leader died in February 12, 1524. Paragraphs cited from: folklore y turismo, patrimonio cultural y natural, historia de la arquitectura. Intecap Centro de Capacitación Quetzaltenango. April 4 – 13, 2005 Insructor: Licda. Rosa Leonor de Ordóñez