Nan Pa'ch ceremony

It is a traditional corn-veneration ritual.

San Pedro Sacatepéquez, San Marcos is a small town in Guatemala that holds a corn-veneration ritual for the purpose of a good harvest.

The ceremony demonstrates the close connections that the people of San Pedro Sacatepéquez have with nature. Participants and gatherers pray in the Mam language as well as the corncobs that are used in the ceremony.

In Guatemala, the word "La Paach" is derived from pre-Hispanic origins. It is currently listed as a material subject of Urgent Safeguards, which is in effect since 2013. Nan Paach ceremonies are composed of four main essential components. They are Lords of the Pagon, Parlimentos or Godmothers, Assembly of Elders, and Dancing of the Paach.

At the ceremony, four paraparlamenteros, or prayer sayers, offer prayers, assisted by four auxiliary paraparlamenteros, whereas four godmothers dress ceremonial corncobs and prepare food. San Pedro's identity and knowledge of nature, as well as its respect and awareness of conservation, is strengthened through the Paach ceremony.

The Paach ceremony focuses on older farmers from San Pedro. By holding this ceremony, the community strengthens its identity and knowledge of nature. Members are instructed at workshops by their group leader, and children are with their grandparents during the ceremony in which a group leader instructs new members. The transmission process is both oral and practical, with new members attending workshops and children accompanying their grandparents.

In recent years, Paach ceremonies have become less frequent, largely due to the decline in the number of young people who see them as relevant. Furthermore, financial insecurity has caused many traditional bearers to withdraw from the practice. Elders, however, may also be aging, and diminished transmission may lead to this cultural expression disappearing.

In the past few years, the Paach ceremony has decreased in frequency, as some young people are seeing it as irrelevant. There has also been an increase in economic insecurity, which has caused some bearers to withdraw from the practice. Additionally, the elderly are now aging. This might result in diminished transmission, and the Paach ceremony may disappear completely.

Even so, the heritage of Guatemala dates back 3000 years. Before the Spanish conquest, the syncretism that was practiced during the colonial period left the tangible cultural property and non-material manifestations and still exists today. These forms are part of our identity as a nation that recognizes its differences and roots that inspire our country in modern times.

References

(https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/nan-pach-ceremony-00863) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nan_Pa%27ch_ceremony) (https://ichngo.net/network_detail/?category=&id=31&subject=INVENTORIES) (https://www.iccrom.org/cprofiles/doku.php?id=countries:gtm)