Guatemala Independence Day Celebration: Everything You Need to Know
Looking for information about the Guatemala Independence Day Celebration?
September is such a fantastic time to visit Guatemala because September 15th is the official Guatemalan Independence Day celebration.
We spent a month living in Antigua Guatemala, enjoying the nightlife, checking out every restaurant, and going on adventures. We also took Spanish Classes from a fantastic teacher that taught us so much about Guatemalan history.
I am definitely the type of person that learns much more easily by doing things “hands-on”, and we spent a lot of time in Guatemala.
So if you are looking for information about Central American independence day, you have come to the right place.
A typical Guatemala Independence Day celebration features food, flags, fireworks, parades, and torch-running where everyone in the community participates in activities.
The date is also an Independence day for four other Central American countries. Including El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras.
And it’s the perfect time to visit if you enjoy independence celebrations such as firework displays, cultural events, vibrant processions, and customary dances.
In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about how Independence Day is celebrated in Guatemala, and how to take part in it.
A Brief History of Guatemalan Independence Day
Independence Day has been celebrated for over 200 years in Guatemala and marks the beginning of the Mexican resistance to Spanish colonial rule.
While Guatemala wouldn’t gain independence as an independent country until forty-six years later, this date (September 15th) is considered an important national holiday.
The date comes from the beginning of the Mexican revolution, but they also celebrate other important events on that date.
Guatemala became a part of the Mexican Empire seceding as a part of the Federation of Central American States. And finally gained independence in 1847 with their first president.
Since then, the holiday has been celebrated with Guatemalan pride, and the whole country celebrates its independence along with much of Central America.
Guatemala Independence Day Celebration Traditions
If you want to celebrate Guatemalan Independence, here are some traditions and patriotic festivities you can participate in.
Civic Altars
It’s common for people to build small altars featuring symbols of Guatemala, like flags, maps, photos, and quetzal feathers.
Anything representative of Guatemala is allowed; you can decorate however you’d like. Everyone from school children to business owners participate in these cultural activities.
Altars are often placed on tables covered with tablecloths or window sills. You can see them often when in Guatemala during the celebrations.
Larger altars are built a couple of days before the celebration, while smaller altars are usually made the day of.
Fireworks
Guatemalans love fireworks, and civilians set off more than the authorities. If you have ever spent Christmas in a Central American country, you know what I am talking about.
Get some small fireworks of your own to celebrate, and watch the official celebration where the massive displays come in bursts of three minutes, sometimes longer.
Lanterns are also lit and tossed into the sky, creating a mesmerizing light landscape. They’re shaped like small balls and light up the smoke left behind by the fireworks, creating an illuminating glow around them.
Flag Raising
Raising the flag is a popular patriotic tradition. However, Guatemalans managed to take it to the next level with massive flags raised in a large ceremony.
In Guatemala City, the flag is raised in Plaza de Constitution and is accompanied by 21 cannons.
It takes place the day before independence day at six in the evening. But it’s not the only ceremony you can see. You can see smaller ceremonies in the communities and towns throughout Guatemala.
Buying flags is another popular pastime, and several street vendors sell small plastic flags or larger ones.
You can wear them like capes, have the flag colors painted on you, or put them in your car to celebrate Guatemala.
Food
Traditional food like corn tacos, tamales, Kak Ik, chuchitos, shucos, black beans, and corn tortillas.
Guatemalan food is delicious, and the chefs around Independence Day bring their A-game.
Eat at a festival or food truck with traditional Guatemalan recipes served by the people of Guatemala. It is such a great way to enjoy the city and celebrate with delicious food.
Independence Torch
One of the unique traditions in Guatemala is the running of the torch. It symbolizes the day Guatemala declared independence from Spain.
The messenger raced on horseback for four days without sleep to deliver the news to Costa Rica and other Central American countries.
The eternal flame in Guatemala City’s center is where the torches are lit. Then the main running is where the torch bearer and other runners run to the border and smaller towns and villages around the city.
Most communities either get the flame from the city or have smaller ceremonies featuring torches and running. This is such a fun part of the Guatemalan festivals.
Even if they don’t have torches, most have a community run to participate in for a holiday.
Parades
One thing you will not miss out on is a massive parade in honor of independence day. You can just feel the sense of national pride.
School parades and marching bands play through the street. The children dress in traditional clothes and lace with Mayan patterns and perform traditional marimba dances.
Marching bands practice for the parades nine to ten months in advance!
The parades are often the most festive part of the Guatemala Independence Day celebration, so don’t forget to buy yourself a flag and participate and celebrate.
Every community has a parade or some sort of march, so you should be able to take part no matter where you are in Guatemala.
Theater Performances
The National Theater or Teatro Nacional holds performances of important Guatemalan leyendas, or legends.
You will see Mayan battles against the Spanish and heroes falling dramatically. As well as more modern stories like the first president of Guatemala fighting for independence from the Federation of Central America.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guatemala independence day celebrations are a fantastic way to experience the vivid culture of Guatemala.
What do the symbols on Guatemala’s flag represent?
When you think of the national flag you can probably picture the iconic blue Guatemalan flag.
The Guatemalan flag is white down the center and light blue on each side. The blue represents the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the white represents the purity of Guatemala.
This is the primary flag, but if the Guatemalan coat of arms is on the flag, it’s called a pavilion. The coat of arms has two laurels to represent victory over oppression.
There are rifles to represent Guatemala’s will to fight for freedom and swords to express honor.
Also a parchment with Independence day written on it, and a quetzal, the national bird, which is essential to Mayan culture.
Does Guatemala have a traditional national dress?
Yes, the national dress is traditional Mayan clothes, and they help Guatemalans connect back to their roots. It consists of four pieces of clothing, different for men and women.
Women wear a blouse, a belt or sash, a skirt, and a headband. While men wear an open jacket, a shirt, a belt, pants, and an optional hat.
Intricate patterns that reveal things about their owners and date back 1,000 years are sewn onto them, and traditional dress is called traje.
What is the Mayan name for Guatemala?
The Mayan name for Guatemala was Quauhtlemallan, which means “the place of many trees.”
Guatemala was the heartland of the Maya, and it took nearly 200 years for the Spanish to control the region entirely.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to celebrate Guatemala’s Independence Day, from running with torches to eating till you’re ready to burst.
Flag raising, fireworks, and more local traditions where Guatemalan citizens can show their pride in their country and heritage. Including regional festivals with traditional music and dances.
The Guatemala Independence Day celebration is one of the best times to visit Guatemala and experience everything it has to offer. It will surely be a unique experience you won’t soon forget.
So buy a flag, and get ready to run with a torch to celebrate the holiday to the fullest.