Photographing Easter Celebrations in Guatemala

Photographing Easter Celebrations in Guatemala

World’s largest Easter celebrations in a quaint colonial city – isn’t that hard to resist? The Spanish missionary bought the Easter celebrations to Guatemala in the 16th century, and Antigua continues to carry forward the Andalusian tradition of celebrating the resurrection of Christ in style. Easter in Guatemala attracts a lot of visitors annually to Antigua as well as other parts of this beautiful country.

World's largest Easter celebrations in the quaint colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala, with a Mayan twist.
The quaint cobbled streets of Antigua, Guatemala

Semana Santa, the Easter week

I timed my visit to Guatemala during the Easter week, to photograph the vivid celebrations. Known as Semana Santa in Spanish, the Easter week is considered holy and commemorates the Passion, the Crucifix, and the Resurrection of Jesus. The Mayan influences come together beautifully with Catholicism to create a mystical and spiritual environment.

World's largest Easter celebrations in the colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala, with a Mayan twist
Children, dressed in black, move along with a procession through Antigua

Colorful processions bring the people together

There are various processions throughout the week, with Friday being the peak of it. The procession consists of multiple ‘floats’, carrying a statue of Jesus or Virgin Mary, with each float requiring many hands to lift up. The procession consists of many men and women carrying these floats, moving slowly through the carpet-adorned streets.  The carpets are often so elaborately designed using saw-dust, flowers, dyes, fruits etc. that they are nothing short of artwork.

Participants share a light moment during a Semana Santa procession in Antigua, Guatemala
Participants share a light moment during a Semana Santa procession

A procession unfolding on the streets of Antigua. Easter week in Antigua is a special time
A procession unfolding on the streets of Antigua

Every place in Guatemala celebrates Easter its own way

Large celebrations take place in Guatemala city and Chichicastenango as well. However, each little village has it’s own way of celebrating Semana Santa and I was quite keen to check out a more intimate setting. Hence, I rented a motorbike and drove from Antigua to San Juan, a tiny hamlet on the shores of Lago Atitlan. I arrived in the evening, and checked-in with a local family and they essentially pointed me to the local church. Seeing the village get ready for the procession: the floats getting decorated, girls lighting candles, musicians rehearsing their bits – it was definitely a very intimate setting, and I felt instantly welcomed.

Each little village has it’s own way of celebrating Semana Santa

The San Juan procession getting ready to leave the premises of the church. Easter in Guatemala
The San Juan procession getting ready to leave the premises of the church

Residents of San Juan during a procession passing through the narrow alleys of the hamlet
Residents of San Juan during a procession passing through the narrow alleys of the hamlet

The procession ends back at the church after a couple of hours
The procession ends back at the church after a couple of hours

About Praveen Maloo

Praveen is currently based out of Seattle, United States. He loves coffee, conversations, micro-brews, and intimate jazz music scenes. When its not raining in Seattle, he can be seen enjoying the beautiful outdoors of the Pacific North-West.

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