Guatemala, Chichicastenango-Santo Tomas celebrations (00:04:04)

The most famous festival in Chichi is the Fiesta de Santo Tomás, in honor of the town’s patron saint. The Fiesta occurs in mid-December every year, and lasts a full week. It is organized by a cofradía, or honorable fraternity of town elders. The parade of the cofradía through the town toward the church, accompanied by flute and drum music, marks the beginning and end of the festival. During the celebration, icons of St. Thomas, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Sebastian, and other saints are paraded through the streets with currency attached to them, accompanied by taper-bearers, marimba and flute players, and men who set off loud fireworks. Also accompanying the saints is the important Baile del Tzijolaj, or Dance of the Flute, during dancers known as Aj Kam carry a small wooden figure, with a necklace of coins, mounted on a white horse.