North Carolina State University

2010 Summer Ethnographic Field School

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

May 28, 2010 - July 28, 2010

ABOUT GUATEMALA

Guatemala is a good site both for learning ethnography as well as for studying the effects of tourism on the culture and environment . It is the most populous country of Central America and its Mayan cultural heritage is sustained by a proud and thriving Mayan contemporary culture. The political conflicts that affected the nation in the recent past have been put aside as Guatemala struggles to get its economy on the right path. Tourism is seen by some as the most successful means by which Guatemala has been able to keep its economy growing, but success has brought some problems: changes in community values, social and economic relationships, water quality problems, coastal wetland destruction, pollution, destruction of scenic vistas, and increased crime. In this third summer of research in Guatemala we will investigate the impacts of tourism development on both the environment and ethnic heritage and contemporary culture of the Mayan peoples that inhabit the Western Highlands, and in particular in the communities around the shores of the fabulously beautiful Lake Atitlan. Is long term sustainable tourism in this area truly feasible? Does tourism destroy authenticity and turn cultural practices and artifacts into commodities to be bought by tourists and marketed by travel agents? Using anthropological theory and ethnographic methods and students study how and why Guatemala is changing as it moves into the next millennium.

For a map of Guatemala click here.

For more data on Guatemala, try these links -> La Prensa Libre (Guatemala's largest circulation newspaper). When you get to the site, also click on the Travel section and the Viaje Guatemala.com section.)

US Department of State Background Notes for Guatemala

CIA COUNTRY FACTBOOK (you must select Guatemala from the list to see the information or type in Guatemala to do a search for the CIA's data).

Below you see a picture of Volcan Fuego rising above the old capital of Guatemala, Antigua. Antigua's name is derived from the fact that t was the old ("antigua") capital of Guatemala until a devasting earthquake in 1773 leveled the town and the capital was moved to its present site, Guatemala City.  However, many residents stayed on and the old town was renamed Antigua. Today it is a prosperous city with a beautiful, sunny climate.

A Tz'utujil Maya woman from Santiago Atitlan.