September School News

Celebrating Guatemalan Pride

September is a rainy month here in Santa Cruz, yet it is also a time of monthlong celebrations for Guatemalan Independence Day. Our students have been participating in various activities to learn about their national identity, taking pride in the shared culture and history that have shaped both their country and their local community. Our goal in Siqajan School is to nourish our students' pride in both their local Kachiquel Mayan culture as well as national Guatemalan identity. Our students are building the skills and confidence to shape a brighter future, rooted in the shared values of respect, tolerance, honesty and gratitude.

Artistic Pride

The children spent a day learning about their shared local traditions, such as weaving on a backstrap loom. They participated in a hands on experience to explore the whole process, from using traditional dyes and preparing the loom, to the significance of the colors and patterns themselves.

• Red: the blood of the people
• Purple & Yellow: day & night
• Triangles: the volcanoes of Lake Atitlan

Traditional Music & Poetry

By performing traditional poetry and songs, such as Luna de Xelaju (Moon of Xelaju), children learned about their cultural and national heritage as well as built their self-confidence. In a presentation to their parents and community members, our teachers swelled with pride to see how students' composure and public speaking abilities have grown over the last year!



Did you know?

This month, our students played games to learn the traditional symbols of Guatemala. Do you know them?

• The Resplendent Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala
• The Ceiba Tree is the beautiful, sturdy national tree
• Marimba is the traditional music, a symbol of cultural harmony
• The Monja Blanca (white nun), a variety of a rare albino orchid, is the national flower



‘Include ‘Siqajan School’ in the note!’