‘Verapaz’

The name ‘Verapaz’ means “true peace”, and appropriately so, for the region was conquered by peaceful means in the 16th century. On the 4th of May, 1877 the Verapaz region was divided into the departments of Alta and Baja Verapaz.

The terrain of Alta Verapaz is varied. To the North lie the Chinajá mountains and the peak of Rubelsanto. The Chamá and the Santa Cruz mountains run east-west through the center of the department. The humid forests of these mountains give shelter to important species such as the Quetzal, Guatemala ́s national bird, and the white monkey, as well as a large variety of orchids, birds, cats and small mammals. In the extreme north and southeast stretch the lowlands of Chisec and Polochic, while at the southernmost limit Raxon peak in the Las Minas mountains contain the department’s maximum elevation of 3015m (9950 ft). Alta Verapaz is also home to geographic phenomenon such as caves (for example Languín, Rey Marcos and Candelina), and ‘siguanes’, or subterranian rivers.

Cobán, the capital and location of the Habitat Affiliate office, is located in the southwest part of the department and situated at 1,320m (4,290ft) above sea level. The terrain is mountainous, offering beautiful vistas during travel.

The city, previously known as Zameneb, Tezulutlan or Land of War, was founded on the 4th of February, 1538 by Fray Bartolome de las Casas, but peacefully conquered by Catholic friars. The Department consists of some 14 "municipios" or county seats.

The trip to Coban is about 5 hours on a private bus from the capital. Enjoy the changes in climate as you travel through desert-like areas to agricultural zones. It is an enjoyable ride, although you will have put up with some slow-moving tractor-trailers on their way to the main Caribbean port of Puerto Barrios. Daily transportation to the work sites could be by foot or minibus, depending on where the partner families are building.

Climate

Cobán enjoys two seasons during the year: "summer" which is a somewhat dry, warm season from February to April, and "winter" which is cool and rainy from May to January. During October, November, and December the area has the most rainfall. During the other "winter" months, a light rain (called ‘chipi-chipi’ by the locals) tends to concentrate in the afternoons. You should bring appropriate rain gear at all times of the year, as the weather doesn't always follow its normal patterns. Evenings are usually cool so a sweater and/or jacket is a must.

 

Local History

The mountains of the Verapazes were historically occupied by the Achi Maya, reputed as the most bloodthirsty of all tribes. After making several failed attempts to contain them, Alvarado’s Spanish army named the region ‘tierra de guerra’, or land of war. Finally, a deal was made, between Alvarado’s Conquistadors and Dominican priests under the leadership of San Bartolomé de las Casas (dubbed the apostle of the Maya), to conquer the area by peaceful means. In 1537 las Casas and his priests set out for the highlands and by 1538 had successfully converted and relocated a large number of the Mayan inhabitants into new Spanish-style villages. At the end of the proposed five year agreement, the Achi were contented Spanish subjects, and the province of war was renamed Verapaz, or ‘true peace’.

Ethnic Composition

The majority of the population is Indigenous, about 90%, and is composed of Q’eqchi and Pokomchi, whom are among those groups which have most preserved their language. The women’s dress is distinguishable by the pleated ‘corte’, or skirt and is not folded and fastened at the top with a sash as done by most other indigenous groups. Although it has retained much of its indigenous influence, since the end of the last century, this region has also recieved many immigrants—above all German and British.

The two main language groups of the area are Q'eqchi' and Po'komchi', though most all inhabitants speak Spanish as well. The religious makeup of the area is primarily Catholic, however there is a strong 'evangelico' or fundamental Protestant presence. Many of the women wear the traditional "traje", or colorful indigenous dress, while the men wear western clothing.

Economy

The primary source of income in the area is small-scale agriculture—primarily coffee, corn, beans, rice, tea, cardamom, sugar cane, broccoli, potatoes and fruit treas. Some of the homeowners work as day laborers on large farms, or in a couple of the local factories and processing plants of coffee and cardamom. Livestock is also found in the lowlands, and in Tacti there is an industrial dairy. The department is also home to several zinc and lead mines, as well as salt and gypsum that have yet to be exploited. Petroleum is currently being explored in the northern regions. On an industrial level, Alta Verapaz operates many shoe, construction material and cement factories.

Accomodation and Services:

Housing at the project will be in a small local hotel. The rooms are clean and inexpensive usually with hot showers available. Simple, tasty meals are available in the hotel, and you will likely bring a boxed lunch from the hotel to the worksite. Purified water will be available. Internet and laundry are available in town.

Excursions and Attractions

Just a couple of kilometers from Lanquín (a sleepy, modest Q’eqchi’ village about 4 hours from Cobán), the Lanquín caves are a maze of dripping, bat-infested chambers, stretching for at least 3km underground. (Rough Guide Guatemala). The other attraction around Lanquín are the extraordinary pools of Semuc Champey the cascading pools and waterfalls are beautiful. You may enjoy a visit to a beautiful Orchid Garden right outsides of town. Buy some of the best Guatemalan coffee available anywhere at the Dieseldorff plantation in town. Tours given until 4 p.m. most days. 3a Calle 4-12, Zona 2, Coban, Alta Verapaz, tel. 7952-1286.

Habitat’s Experience in Coban:

Although the climate is chilly and humid for most of the year, it’s beauty and kind families makes it a great place to work. The communities involved in the housing project are approximately 80- 85% indigenous peoples and about 15-20% Ladinos (mix of indigenous and European races). In the rural areas people are living mostly from Agriculture, sometimes traveling from their communities out to a rented field nearby. Cardamum is an important crop in Coban for export purposes but the families we work with are mostly growing the traditional corn, beans coffee, and broccoli. There are also large crops of decorative leaves that are used in floral arrangements and are exported worldwide.

The families we work with in Coban are kind and hardworking. If they live in town they’ll work in a ‘tiendita’(corner store) or bakery. The families tend to stick together bringing multiple generations into a family complex. Houses in Coban are usually made of wood planks, covered with newspaper or plastic inside to prevent the drafts.

Affiliate History

Since its founding on March 25, 1992, Alta Verapaz has consistently been one of the most prolific home-building affiliates in Habitat Guatemala, and built its 5000th house in May of 2010.