Guatemala

Abstract

The heritage of Guatemala’s indigenous peoples embraces tradition, religion, family and community as endowments of well-being (UNDP, 2001; Feiring, 2003; and World Bank, 2003d). Land is also central to indigenous well-being and identity — it not only provides income from corn but also has religious significance (Wearne, 1994; Rojas Lima, 1995; UNICEF, 2003). For example according to the Popol Vuh, the sacred text of Guatemala’s largest Mayan group, the first humans were made of corn. If well-being refers to strength of tradition and community, Guatemala’s indigenous peoples are quite wealthy.

This chapter has benefited immensely from advice given by Gillette Hall, Harry Anthony Patrinos, Irma Yolanda Avila Argueta, Shelton H. Davis, Heather Marie Layton, Kathy Lindert, George Psacharopoulos, Neeta G. Sirur, Carlos Sobrado, other members of the World Bank Regional Study Team, and participants in the March and July 2004 Latin American and Caribbean Human Development discussion seminars.