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Chichicastenango or Chichi

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Chichicastenango is a small town lying on the crest of mountaintops. It is approximately a 2-3 hour drive northwest of Guatemala City and is home to the most colorful native market in North and Central America.

The handicraft market of Chichicastenango draws not only the K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala. Many linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others are represented at the market. This small town located in the mountains of Quiche has been since pre-Hispanic times, one of the largest trading centers in the Maya area.

The vendors will begin setting up portable booths in the main plaza and adjacent streets of Chichi the night before and the set up continues into the early daylight hours. Among the items offered are textiles and wood carved masks used by dancers in traditional dances. Most of what is sold is of good quality, but there are also products made in Chichi's many factories for foreign companies.

Tomas is another major attraction in Chichicastenango. The 400-year old church of Santo Tomas is situated next to the market. Shamans still use it for their rituals, burning incense and candles and in special cases a chicken for the gods. Each of the 18 stairs that lead up to the church stands for one month of the Mayan calendar year. The Mayan calendar has 18 months of 20 days each.

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