The town of Nebaj is located in the Quiche department, and is home of the Ixil Mayan group. It’s situated on a valley in the Cuchumatanes mountain range, and is a very traditional town where the indigenous culture is still dominant. Spanish is hardly spoken in Nebaj, since most of the people talks in the Ixil language.
The Ixiles are one of the smallest ethnic groups of Guatemala, and Nebaj is the gateway to the Ixil region and one of the three towns comprising the Ixil region. The other two important Ixil towns are San Juan Cotzal and Chajul. This part of Guatemala was one of the most affected areas during the civil war, but now there are a large number of development organizations working in and around the area.
Some organizations working in Nebaj have begun in recent years eco-tourism projects that offer hiking tours in the area, with local guides, through the mountains and the nearby villages. This projects help the region and offer the Ixil people an alternative to their traditional subsistence farming.
The friendly people of Nebaj wears it’s traditional costumes, which are one of the most beautiful of Guatemala, and the women that weaves them have become very known for their art. How to get here? Take a bus in Quiche’s department capital, Santa Cruz.
Comment by edgar beltran at Apr 15th, 2007 6:30 am ↑
mi comentario es que nesecitan que mostrar fotografias, aserca de los lugares que se mencionan, para que los turistas, tengan una vision mas amplia de lo que se menciona.
ATTE. Edgar