San Pedro Sacatepéquez, San Marcos, Guatemala — Central America

Cross of the Pregón and the Pa'ach Ceremony

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 31, 2018

1. Cross of the Pregón and the Pa'ach Ceremony Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Cruz del Pregon y Ceremonial de La Pa’ach
Patrimonio Cultural Intangible de la Humanidad
Gobierno Municipal 2012-2016
Lic. Carlos Enrique Bautista Godínez
Septiembre de 2014

English translation:
Cross of the Pregon and the Pa'ach Ceremony
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Municipal Government 2012-2016
Carlos Enrique Bautista Godínez
September 2014

Erected 2014 by Gobierno Municipal de San Pedro Sacatepéquez.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 2014.

Location. 14° 57.873′ N, 91° 47.007′ W. Marker is in San Pedro Sacatepéquez, San Marcos. It is on 7a Calle, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Pedro Sacatepéquez, San Marcos 12002, Guatemala. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in North America,

specifically in Central America,

in Mesoamerica,

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on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

and in the Western Hemisphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also a Spanish colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: General Miguel Garcia Granados (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); The 150th Anniversary of San Marcos Department (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Justo Rufino Barrios (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Adolfo V. Hall R. (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Carlos Castillos Armas (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Bishop Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Rigoberta Menchú (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Guty Enrique Alvarado Vásquez (approx. 1.5 kilometers away).

Regarding Cross of the Pregón and the Pa'ach Ceremony. From its 2013 UNESCO inscription: The Paach ceremony is a corn-veneration ritual celebrated in San Pedro Sacatepéquez. The ceremony gives thanks for good harvests in a ritual that highlights the close connection between humans and nature and features prayers in the Mam language. The participants are mostly older farmers, both men and women,
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 31, 2018

2. Cross of the Pregón and the Pa'ach Ceremony Marker
with extensive ties to the community and who are recognized as its leaders. Four prayer sayers, or parlamenteros, offer prayers during the ceremony, supported by four auxiliary parlamenteros; meanwhile four godmothers dress ceremonial corncobs and coordinate the preparation and serving of food. The Paach ceremony strengthens the identity of the community of San Pedro and its knowledge and respect for nature and its conservation.

Also see . . .
1. Nan Pa'ch ceremony. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 29, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. UNESCO description of the Nan Paach Ceremony. (Submitted on January 21, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Two participants in the Pa'ach Ceremony image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 29, 2013

3. Two participants in the Pa'ach Ceremony

This photo was taken in the central park of San Pedro Sacatepéquez, San Marcos, Guatemala. Note the city's Catholic church in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 263 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on March 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.