You might also notice the lively colors, occasional dark skin of the figures and certain items and vegetables that are native to Guatemala. That is because Guatemalans put their own touch on the interpretation of Semana Santa. They depict the shrines in the image of their own people. Mayan indigenous people sometimes mixed their own spiritual images into Catholic religion. Some historians call this "religious syncretism.". You can also see this "syncretism" in the patterns of some alfombras. For example, the designs in the carpet that my group made included the sun and the moon. The fruits, vegetables, and candles used to decorate the velaciones (altars or shrines) also have their origin in Mayan culture. The offerings are reminiscent of the Mayan ceremony of making fire.
Today, Semana Santa is still a very popular holiday that brings in tourists from all over the country to observe the processions. When Guatemalans think of "tourists" they are not just referring to people from outside of Guatemala, but also people from different parts of Guatemala, such as Guatemala City. Most Guatemalans practice the Catholic religion and go to church weekly. They take this holiday as a time to be serious and contemplative. But it is also a time to let their sense of wonder roam, and to be jolly.
Semana Santa is connected to the environment in some peculiar ways. The famous alfombras are made from sawdust from Guatemalan trees. The sawdust is dyed with special vibrant colors that stand out to the eye.
