The Women of Rabinal

By Sandra Gutierrez

Like everything else, this summer is coming to an end. After living in Rabinal for the past 9 weeks, I have begun to reflect on my time here. This summer has been full of laughter, truck rides, community interviews, platanos fritos, handmade tortillas and moments with my host family; Los Ixtecoc. From the first day that I walked into their home, they made every effort to make me feel comfortable; as if I were part of their family. Their home is where I had the hardest laughs, ate the best Guatemalan food, learned meaningful lessons and shared amazing moments. The Ixtecoc family is composed of many extended family members. I was quickly adopted by a set of parents, grandparents, sisters and even a little cousin.

My favorite moments were spent in the kitchen talking to Mama Chica, who shared stories of her youth, her family as well as ways in which the country has changed over the years. Here I learned how to make tortillas from my hard working host mother, Herlinda, and her two daughters; Klariza and Andrea. Soon after I arrived to Rabinal I began to see how amazing, hardworking and strong the local women are.

A few weeks ago I watched in awe as my youngest host sister, who is only 15 years of age, effortlessly took apart 3 chickens her mother would later use to make tamales for dinner. With a smile, she pointed out each body part and which dish it tastes best in. I was impressed by all of the recipes she has committed to memory which she has also cooked in the past.

Every day when you walk to El Mercado you can see women carrying a child on their back while balancing a heavy basket on their head as they purchase the ingredients for the day’s meals. Other women spend their afternoons alongside the road selling homemade refacciones (snacks) which include: tostadas, rellenitos, empanadas and chilate to pedestrians with a soft spot for good food.

Throughout Rabinal and its aldea’s (communities) you can see “Tortillerias” where women stand over the blazing fire three times a day, and make tortillas by hand faster than you can count them. These are just some of the many ways women make an impactful contribution to their family and community. I am grateful for my time in Rabinal, the strong women I have met, the stories they have shared with me and the lessons I have learned. I am sad to leave Guatemala; especially its beautiful sights and my host family. However, I am very excited to share what I have seen and learned with my loved ones back at home.