Cajolá is a primarily Mam community located about 9 ½ miles northwest of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala’s second largest city. Its full name, Santa Cruz de Cajolá, belies its history – it has always been a Mam community. The name “Cajolá” means “son of water” and refers to the (formerly) abundant springs in the mountains. The Mam people are the 4th largest ethnic group of Maya in Guatemala’s 22 different Maya ethnicities.
90% of Cajolá’s population is poor and 55% of the children are chronically malnourished. The lack of adequate economic opportunities has resulted in the terrible statistic that more than 40% of the population of 19,500 has migrated to the U.S.
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Mam Culture
Although Evangelical churches have proliferated in Cajolá since the civil war, Cajolá has a strong Catholic community along with a strong community based on Mam culture and worldview. However, migration and the influence of Western culture has put pressure on the traditional culture. Where homes used to be built in collaboration with the community, now remittances pay for the necessary labor and materials.
The women primarily continue to wear traditional clothing, all woven in Cajolá. Cajolá’s huipil (blouse) and corte (skirt) are easily recognizable and very simple. The corte is the same indigo heavy cotton as many of Quetzaltenango’s Mam communities. The huipil is red with horizontal stripes. The hues of red and the colors of the stripes change over time. The huipil is adorned with embroidery and lately, sequins and sparkles, to make it more beautiful.
Economy & Remittances
People in Cajolá earn a living through subsistence farming, construction labor, and small businesses. However, it is the significant remittances from the migrants in the U.S. that are the primary source of income. The remittances have resulted in large homes that are sadly vacant while their owner remains in the U.S. Although it is true that the remittances have helped people access health care, education, and nutrition, the social disintegration that results from the separation of families is very problematic. Grupo Cajolá’s work in economic development has resulted in a women’s weaving cooperative and a women’s egg cooperative. In addition, the education programs provide employment for teachers!
Education
Cajolá has 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 secondary school that specializes in preschool education and preparation to be an electrician. However, the quality of public education in Guatemala is dismal (well documented internationally). Grupo Cajolá’s fundamental work in education grew out of that weakness, with the firm belief that a good education was necessary for the development of the community. In recent years, Grupo Cajolá created, a well-respected preschool based on the Mam culture and language and the Reggio Emilia philosophy of education, and an equally well respected afterschool learning program, adding to its longstanding scholarship program and computer literacy program.
