Guatemala night at Costa Maya
It’s a nation whose government can’t seem to resist giving us a hard time…but on the people to people level Guatemalans and Belizeans seem to get along just fine. And nowhere was this demonstrated better than last night at the Costa Maya Festival in San Pedro. Jose Sanchez reports.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
No borders could keep the crowd from enjoying the festivities in San Pedro. That is because a highly cultural experience invaded Guatemala night at San Pedro’s Costa Maya Festival. Folkloric and modern dances, a Mayan skit five thousand years in the making, and a mini concert by Grupo Apolo made the night into an unequivocal cultural experience.
(Inguat performing dance)
Inguat certainly proved they had the moves and the hips to master popular tunes. They certainly rose to the challenge when they incorporated tradition with Dance With Me’s theme song, “Magdalena.”
Inguat continued to show their wide range of skills as their next presentation focused more on the type of togetherness associated with small rural communities. A simple activity as building a kite can evoke a harmonious effect that we usually don’t feel when we buy a ready made kite or make one by ourselves.
(Kite making dance)
The surprise of the evening was an indigenous skit by Formula Ancestral. It told the story of when the people lived freely, before there was any Belize or Guatemala.
Osmundo Villatoro, Performer
“The entire village walks towards the altar and pray to God for it to rain, so that they can have water to drink. On their way there, the birds sing and also ask for rain. The frogs also do the same, sing for rain to come down. And when the rains finally come, they go up to the altar and give thanks to God, and they then perform the rain ceremony.”
The man is finally heard by the God and to show that he is thankful, he must kill. He then takes out a sharp stone and cuts it deep into his chest. After prying his chest cavity wide, he dips his hand inside and pulls out his heart. And in agony, he blows it in the wind so it may reach the Gods. His sacrifice, the ultimate gift to God, allows him to join them and through dance, express his happiness.
(Ancestral dance)
Guatemalan singing sensation Apolo finished off the night with some catchy tunes that got the newly chosen Costa Maya Queen, and a few others out of their seats.
Jose Sanchez
“What do you enjoy about Guatemala night?”
Spectator #1
“We are enjoying the music, the dancing and everything.”
Spectator #2
“Music, dances.”
Spectator #3
“Well, I like the guys you know, they look so good.”
Spectator #1
“That’s the best, guys. They look good, the muscles everything. They look alright.”
Spectator #4
“Well the presentations are pretty good and we all enjoyed it. I saw that everybody enjoyed the presentations.”
Jose Sanchez
“Anyone in particular that you liked?”
Spectator #4
“The dancers were pretty good. The one with the long hair, the one that they threw in the air.”
Jose Sanchez
“What do you like about Guatemala night?”
Spectator #5
“Because of their dancing. They dance good.”
Jose Sanchez
“Reporting to you live from Guatemalan night at Costa Maya Festival 2000, I am Jose Sanchez, for News Five.”
Tonight is Honduras night at the Costa Maya.
