How to Celebrate Guatemala Independence Day in Los Angeles

Guatemalans are a mix of indigenous cultures of Mayan descent and Spaniards and other Europeans. Although the United States does not recognize Guatemalan immigrants as political refugees, many Guatemalans came to Los Angeles because of political instability and economics in Guatemala. The LA population of Guatemalan Americans is a broad cross section of the different ethnicities within Guatemala. Celebrate Guatamala Independence Day on September 15 in Los Angeles.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Secure accommodations and transportation around Los Angeles before Independence Day if you are visiting from outside the area. Los Angeles is home to the largest population of Latin Americans outside of Latin America. You will celebrate Guatemala Independence Day with thousands of other Hispanics who are Mexican, Honduran, Salvadoran, Argentinian and Costa Rican.
2. Consult a current events calendar for the Central American Independence Day Party held in Pico-Union each year. With music, dancing, entertainment, food vendors and parades, this is an event the whole family can attend.
3. Speak with several Guatemalan Americans and you will learn about several different languages and ethnicities. Although Spanish is the official language in Guatemala, at least 21 different indigenous languages survive. Unlike other Central American countries, Spanish conquistadors did not drive out or kill the Mayan and other indigenous people in Guatemala. As a result, their languages still live. In much of rural Guatemala, Spanish is not even spoken.
4. Visit a website like Recipezaar for traditional Guatemalan recipes such as flan, garlic mushrooms and snapper with cashews (see Resources below). Cook a Guatemalan meal and invite friends over for a tasty Independence Day Celebration.
5. Get crafty. Guatemala is known for its colorful clothing, blankets and other textiles woven in different regions around the country. In fact, there are distinct patterns from different villages, so it is possible to tell where somebody comes from by the patterns he or she wears. Try your hand at weaving in the Guatemalan tradition and wear your project on Independence Day! Or, patronize some Guatemalan vendors while you celebrate at an event.

Tips & Warnings

• Guatemala shares its Independence Day with other Central American countries. You are likely to find parades, Guatemalan poetry readings, festivals, craft fairs and musical entertainment in Los Angeles around this time of year.