RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN SAN JUAN

In the municipality of San Juan La Laguna in the municipal seat there is a Catholic Church and four Evangelical Churches and other Churches are in the rural area.

There are several cultural activities that have been carried out in San Juan La Laguna since ancient times, many are linked to the Catholic religion, as well as four brotherhoods that celebrate their saint every year, the most important are: San Juan Bautista, patron of the Municipality which is celebrated on June 24, the others are those of the Virgin Mary and María Magdalena, that of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and that of the Sagrada Familia. In addition, another brotherhood not recognized by the church and which celebrates its festival in honor of San Simón or Maximón, a legendary character of the town.

The position system in the Brotherhood and the Mayor's Office

As Cuéllar points out, the Brotherhood of San Juan is linked to the mountains, wild animals, rain, agricultural activities, crops and corn. In this municipality four festivities are celebrated, those of the Virgen del Carmen, the Sagrada Familia, San José and Santo Domingo. The main fair is held in honor of San Juan Bautista from June 21 to 24, with 24 being the main day of the patron saint festivities.

As Cuéllar points out, the Cofradía de San Juan is linked to the mountains, wild animals, rain, agricultural activities, harvests and corn. In this municipality four festivities are celebrated, those of the Virgen del Carmen, the Sagrada Familia, San José and Santo Domingo. The main fair is held in honor of San Juan Bautista from June 21 to 24, with 24 being the main day of the patron saint festivities.

Supported by the investigation The Tz'utujil Mayan Customary Law made by Antonio E. Quic (2000), in certain Tz'utujil communities of the Lake Atitlán area, in terms of institutions or organizations, changes in the social structure can be approached through the anthropological approach called The System of Charges and currently as the Local Power. This author, following some specialists who have carried out studies on the matter from anthropology, points out that the System of Charges should be understood as the typical system of charges that consists of a number of trades, clearly demarcated as such, that take turns between the members of the community, who assume a trade for a certain period of time and then retire to their normal life for a longer period.

The trades are arranged hierarchically and the position system includes all or almost all. Freighters do not receive any payment during their period of service, on the contrary, the position often involves a considerable cost in lost work time and cash expenses, but as compensation the position confers on the person in charge a great prestige in the community. The cargo system normally comprises two separate hierarchies, one religious and the other political, but the two are always closely related. After having held the most important positions in the two hierarchies, a member of the community is considered as a principal or an intern. It can be withdrawn from the obligations of the community and has a significant influence on community decisions.

According to the analysis made by Quic, it is in San Juan where the brotherhood still remains with greater continuity and solidity. In the municipality, there are four brotherhoods and the hierarchy is the same in all. The brotherhoods are: San Juan Bautista, Santo Domingo de Guzmán, La Virgen María and La Sagrada Familia. In each one there is the following hierarchical level:

• a) Confraternity Judge
• b) Mayor of Brotherhood
• c) First Butler
• d) Second Butler
• e) Third Butler
• f) Fourth Butler
• g) Fifth Butler
• h) Sixth Butler
• i) Seventh or last Butler
• j) The Texeles

The mayordomos carry out operational activities of the brotherhood both at parties and at funerals. During the festivities they prepare decorations, the premises, facilitate communication between the Principals, among other functions. In the grave of the people who die, they are in charge of digging the grave for the dead. On the other hand, the Texeles, are mainly in charge of the ornamentation of the saint. Meanwhile, the organization of the mayordomos according to the degree of each one, falls to the judge of the brotherhood. He also collaborates with the brother in the expenses of the activities of the brotherhood. The mayor of the brotherhood and his wife take care of the Saint. They cover all the expenses that have as headquarters of the brotherhood, your home, for a year.

Bibliography

• CUÉLLAR V., Ana (2005). Design of a Sustainable Tourist Circuit in San Juan La Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala. Guatemala.
• E. QUIC, Antonio (2000). Tz’utujil Maya customary law. Guatemala.