User:Joyabaj

Located about 50 kilometers from Santa Cruz del Quiche, Joyabaj is a village located in the Sierra de Chuacùs mountains.

Joyabaj was an important part of the royal route to Mexico during the Spanish time, but in February 4th of 1976 the town was almost destroyed by an earthquake. Most of its beautiful colonial houses and buildings were lost and hundreds of people died. Joyabaj was also hit hard by the civil war that lasted about 30 years in Guatemala. The majority of the ladinos (people with mixed Spanish and Indian heritage) fled to Guatemala City.

The town's fiesta is celebrated from August 8th to the 15th. Many activities take place every day. One of the most important and fantastic celebrations is El Palo Volador. This is a traditional dance in which flying angels (ángeles) spin to the ground from a huge wooden pole. The Palo Volador reenacts the descend of the angels into the underworld to battle the forces of darkness. This a pre-conquest ritual that has survived many centuries.

The people from Joyabaj are called Xoyes or Joyabatecos. They are very friendly people.