San Juan Cotzal

San Juan Cotzal (Spanish pronunciation: [saŋ ˈxwaŋ koˈtsal]) is a town and municipality in the Guatemalan department of El Quiché. San Juan Cotzal is part of the Ixil Community, along with Santa Maria Nebaj and San Gaspar Chajul.

San Juan Cotzal
Cotzal
Municipality
San Juan Cotzal is located in Guatemala
San Juan Cotzal
San Juan Cotzal
Location in Guatemala
Coordinates: 15°26′7″N 91°2′8″W
Country Guatemala
Department El Quiché
MunicipalitySan Juan Cotzal
Government
  TypeMunicipal
  MayorBaltazar Cruz Torres (PP)
Area
  Municipality88 sq mi (227 km2)
Elevation
5,600 ft (1,700 m)
Population
 (Census 2018)[1]
  Municipality31,532
  Density360/sq mi (140/km2)
  Urban14,032
  Ethnicities
Ixil K'iche' Ladino
  Religions
Roman Catholicism Evangelicalism Maya
ClimateCfb
Websitehttp://www.inforpressca.com/cotzal/

History

Pre-Hispanic era

Worried about the defection of the aj K’ub’ul family chief, who had taken his family away to look for fertile and, above all, Pacific land, the K’iche’ king sent a group of soldiers to control their movements. He was afraid that the aj K'ub'ul would look for reinforcements from other ethnic groups in the area to form a strong army and attack the K'iche's. The warriors settled to the east of the aj K’ub’ul and, since the K'iche's had moved away to look for an undisturbed place to settle, they were a peaceful community. The warriors informed the K’iche’ king as much, reassuring him that he had no reason to worry about the exiled group.[3]

As time went by, the K'iche' warriors realized that the aj K'ub'ul life was very different from the one they were used to have under the ruling of their king, as they simply worked on their land and crops and then enjoyed their families without having to worry about being invaded or called to fight in a war. They went back to their place of origin, Tujalj (Sacapulas and Canillá), but only to pick up their families, and went on to settle a new community where they were once stationed to keep an eye on the aj K'ub'ul.[lower-alpha 1]

Campaigns in the Cuchumatanes

The complex terrain and remoteness of the Cuchumatanes made Spanish conquest difficult.

In the 10 years after the fall of Zaculeu, commencing in 1525, various Spanish expeditions crossed into the Sierra de Los Cuchumatanes and engaged in the gradual and complex conquest of the Chuj and Q'anjob'al.[4] The Spanish were attracted to the region in the hope of extracting gold, silver and other riches from the mountains but their remoteness, the difficult terrain, and relatively low population made their conquest and exploitation extremely difficult.[5] The population of the Cuchumatanes is estimated to have been 260,000 before European contact. By the time the Spanish physically arrived in the region, this had collapsed to 150,000 due to Old World diseases that had run ahead of them.[6]

Uspantán and the Ixil

After the western portion of the Cuchumatanes fell to the Spanish, the Ixil and Uspantek Maya were sufficiently isolated to evade immediate Spanish attention. The Uspantek and the Ixil were allies and in 1529, four years after the conquest of Huehuetenango, Uspantek warriors were harassing Spanish forces and Uspantán was trying to foment rebellion among the K'iche'.

Uspantek activity became sufficiently troublesome that the Spanish decided that military action was necessary. Gaspar Arias, the magistrate of Guatemala, penetrated the eastern Cuchumatanes with 60 Spanish infantry and 300 allied indigenous warriors.[7] By early September he had imposed temporary Spanish authority over the Ixil towns of Chajul and Nebaj.[8] The Spanish army then marched east toward Uspantán itself; Arias then received notice that the acting governor of Guatemala, Francisco de Orduña, had deposed him as a magistrate. Arias handed command over to the inexperienced Pedro de Olmos and returned to confront de Orduña. Although his officers advised against it, Olmos launched a disastrous full-scale frontal assault on the city. As soon as the Spanish began their assault they were ambushed from the rear by more than 2,000 Uspantek warriors. The Spanish forces were routed with heavy losses; many of their indigenous allies were slain, and many more were captured alive by the Uspantek warriors only to be sacrificed on the altar of their deity Exbalamquen. The survivors who managed to evade capture fought their way back to the Spanish garrison at Q'umarkaj.[9]

A year later Francisco de Castellanos set out from Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala (by now relocated to Ciudad Vieja) on another expedition against the Ixil and Uspantek, leading eight corporals, 32 cavalry, 40 Spanish infantry and several hundred allied indigenous warriors. The expedition rested at Chichicastenango and recruited further forces before marching seven leagues northwards to Sacapulas and climbed the steep southern slopes of the Cuchumatanes. On the upper slopes, they clashed with a force of between four and five thousand Ixil warriors from Nebaj and nearby settlements. A lengthy battle followed during which the Spanish cavalry managed to outflank the Ixil army and forced them to retreat to their mountaintop fortress at Nebaj.

The Spanish forces besieged the city, and their indigenous allies managed to scale the walls, penetrate the stronghold and set it on fire. Many defending Ixil warriors withdrew to fight the fire, which allowed the Spanish to storm the entrance and break the native defences.[9] The victorious Spanish rounded up the surviving defenders and the next day Castellanos ordered them all to be branded as slaves as punishment for their resistance.[10] The inhabitants of Chajul immediately capitulated to the Spanish as soon as news of the battle reached them. The Spanish continued east towards Uspantán to find it defended by 10,000 warriors, including forces from Cotzal, Cunén, Sacapulas, and Verapaz. The Spaniards were barely able to organise a defence before the defending army attacked. Although heavily outnumbered, the deployment of Spanish cavalry and the firearms of the Spanish infantry eventually decided the battle. The Spanish overran Uspantán and again branded all surviving warriors as slaves. The surrounding towns also surrendered, and December 1530 marked the end of the military stage of the conquest of the Cuchumatanes.[11]

Population

According to an official census performed by the Guatemalan National Statistics Institute (INE), the municipality had a total population of 14,137 in 1994; in 2002 this grew by 42% and in 2008 a study determined that there was an additional 29% increase. The following tables show the difference population classification in San Juan Cotzal:[12]

By gender[12]
Gender Total 1994 Census % 1994 Census Total 2002 Census % 2002 Census Total estimated in 2008 % estimated in 2008
Male 6631479,611481271349
Female 75065310,439521323251
TOTAL 14137 100 20050 100 25945 100
By age[13]
Age range Total 1994 Census % 1994 Census Total 2002 Census % 2002 Census Total estimated in 2008 % estimated in 2008
From 0 to 6 343624516826700527
From 7 to 14 320123449322596723
From 15 to 64 7080509686481219447
More than 65 420370347793
TOTAL 14137 100 20050 100 25945 100
By ethnic group[14]
Ethnic group Total 1994 Census % 1994 Census Total 2002 Census % 2002 Census Total estimated in 2008 % estimated in 2008
Native 132369419520972516797
Non-native 901653037783
TOTAL 141371002005010025945100
By location[15]
Area Total 1994 Census % 1994 Census Total 2002 Census % 2002 Census Total estimated in 2008 % estimated in 2008
Urban 5,069369037451323251
Rural 9,0686411013551271349
TOTAL 141371002005010025945100

Dwelling

86% of the population owns their home, while the rest live in borrowed (12%) or rented (2%) houses.[16] Most of the urban structures are made of zinc sheets roofing and brick walls.[17] Rural area homes are built out of wood and 'teja', and lack any kind of flooring.[17]

Occupation and salaries

Agriculture is by far the main productive activity of the area,[17] and those who work their own land fare better income-wise.[17]

Occupation (2008)[17]
Activity Urban area Rural area Total %
Agriculture 9337146461
Management 804812817
Artinsan work 42458711
Commerce 3324578
Livestock 211132
Industry 55101
TOTAL 255504759100
Income sources(2008)
Income source Urban area Rural area Total % Total
Work own land 7919327252
Labor force 6911518436
Own business 2621479
Family remittances 8192
Retirement 5271
TOTAL 187332519100
Income levels (2008)[18]
In Quetzales Homes %
0 to 400 17333
401 to 800 17433
801 to 1200 8516
1201 to 1600 387
1601 to 2000 264
2001 to 2400 92
2401 to 2800 92
2801 to 3200 102
3201 to 3600 00
3601 or more 31
TOTAL 527100

82% of the population had an income of Q1,200.00/month, which was less than minimal wage at the time.[18] Area development halted during the Guatemalan Civil War, although economic conditions were not all that prosperous even before it.[18]

Education

San Juan Cotzal has numerous educational institutions: 22 of them are public schools run by the Government.[19]

Enrolled students by education level[20]
Level 1994 2008
PublicPrivateCooperativeTotalPublicPrivateCooperativeTotal
Preschool 377-108485478-136614
Elementary 1756-371793311863513232
Middle level
Junior High School --8484--5585582
High School ------7777
TOTAL 2133-22923623596638224481
Teachers by education level[20]
Level 1994 2008
PublicPrivateCooperativeTotalPublicPrivateCooperativeTotal
Preschool 12-31522-N.A22
Elementary 30-23296-N/A96
Middle level
Junior High School 8-61423-932
High School ------1010
TOTAL 50-1161141-19160
Coverage by education level[21]
Education level Student population in 1994 Student population in 2008
Enrolled studentsCoverage%Enrolled studentsCoverage%
Preschool 243648520623761410
Elementary 32011793574490323272
Middle level
Junior High School 2080844390855814
High School ---5664771
TOTAL 77172362202994481
Education level[19]
Level 1994 2008
PublicPrivateCooperativeTotal%PublicPrivateCooperativeTotal%
Preschool 36-22586718-8269
Elementary 9-2111313555219268
Middle level
Junior High School 12-5172053-55821
High School -------552
TOTAL 57-2986100206570281100

Economy

The production activity details are shown in the following tables:

Agriculture[22]
Product Production
en quintals
Total value
in Quetzales
Corn 6691802920
Beans 679203700
Coffee 5178010,356,000
TOTAL 5915011,362,620
Private services[23]
Business type Establishments Total value
in Quetzales
Bus 202,520,000
Nixtamal mill 701,260,000
Cable TV 3540000
Barber shops 12201600
Photo shops 4156000
Photocopy centers 5150000
Entertainment establishments 2144000
Hotels 3144000
Workshops 399000
Computation academy 284000
Dentistry 160000
Radio stations 142000
Music ensembles 136000
Shoemaker shops 530000
Typewriting 328800
Language schools 124000
Pulpero leasing 82880
TOTAL 1445,522,280
Commercial activity[24]
Business Establishments Total value
in Quetzales
Family grocery stores 2603,540,000
Butcher shops 221,200,000
Gas stations 51612000
Hardware stores 4576000
Food establishments 7315000
Smithy 3288000
Carpentry 6240000
Bakery 6216000
Dollar stores 12172800
Weave stores 2168000
Drug stores 7142800
Liquor stores 3131400
Cell phone parts 6129600
Bookstores 7100800
Shoe stores 496000
Propane shop 243200
Clothing 142000
Ice cream shops 136000
Agriculture supplies 124000
Newspaper stands 12400
TOTAL 4068,076,000
Animal husbandry[25]
Product Cattle heads Total value
in Quetzales
Bovine 124496000
Poultry 1,49089400
Porcine 6931050
Ovine 3729600
Caprino 2318400
TOTAL 1743 664450
Artisan activities[26]
Activity Units Total value
in Quetzales
Fabrics 6840674400
Maguey products 9000125280
Carpentry 25291980
Smithy 9041318
Tailoring 22513500
Bakery 250007500
Candle making 60006000
TOTAL 47407959,978
Source: Grupo EPS, 2010[27]

Climate

San Juan Cotzal has an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb).

Climate data for San Juan Cotzal
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 21.4
(70.5)
22.4
(72.3)
24.2
(75.6)
24.7
(76.5)
24.3
(75.7)
23.3
(73.9)
22.7
(72.9)
23.1
(73.6)
23.0
(73.4)
22.0
(71.6)
22.1
(71.8)
21.8
(71.2)
22.9
(73.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 15.5
(59.9)
16.0
(60.8)
17.5
(63.5)
18.2
(64.8)
18.3
(64.9)
18.3
(64.9)
17.6
(63.7)
17.6
(63.7)
17.6
(63.7)
17.0
(62.6)
16.5
(61.7)
16.0
(60.8)
17.2
(62.9)
Average low °C (°F) 9.6
(49.3)
9.6
(49.3)
10.8
(51.4)
11.7
(53.1)
12.4
(54.3)
13.3
(55.9)
12.5
(54.5)
12.1
(53.8)
12.3
(54.1)
12.0
(53.6)
10.9
(51.6)
10.2
(50.4)
11.5
(52.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 44
(1.7)
29
(1.1)
40
(1.6)
53
(2.1)
118
(4.6)
284
(11.2)
231
(9.1)
199
(7.8)
227
(8.9)
197
(7.8)
104
(4.1)
46
(1.8)
1,572
(61.8)
Source: Climate-Data.org[28]

Geographic location

San Juan Cotzal is 269 km from Guatemala City and 104 km from Santa Cruz del Quiché through the Quiché 6 West highway.[29]

See also

Notes and references

  1. This was confirmed by Antonio Rodríguez, from Sacapulas, who witnessed the contact his family had with Rabinal, San Miguel Chicaj and Salamá in the 1950s. They knew that their families were related and always brought Sacapulas produce into those municipalities.[3]

References

  1. Citypopulation.de Population of cities & towns in Guatemala
  2. Citypopulation.de Population of cities & towns in Guatemala
  3. Tz’unun, Francisco Luis; Chom, Miguel Antret; Terga, Ricardo (n.d.). Transcripción de la tradición oral de Cubulco (in Spanish). Guatemala.
  4. Limón Aguirre 2008, p. 10.
  5. Limón Aguirre 2008, p. 11.
  6. Lovell 2005, p. 71
  7. Lovell 2005, p. 64
  8. Lovell 2005, pp. 64–65.
  9. Lovell 2005, p. 65
  10. Lovell 2005, pp. 65–66.
  11. Lovell 2005, p. 66
  12. Bran Prado, Byron Rafael et al. 2010, p. 13
  13. Bran Prado, Byron Rafael et al. 2010, p. 14.
  14. Bran Prado, Byron Rafael et al. 2010, p. 15.
  15. Bran Prado, Byron Rafael et al. 2010, p. 16.
  16. Marroquín Lopez, Marvin Ottoniel et al. 2010, p. 16.
  17. Marroquín Lopez, Marvin Ottoniel et al. 2010, p. 17
  18. Marroquín Lopez, Marvin Ottoniel et al. 2010, p. 19
  19. Marroquín Lopez, Marvin Ottoniel et al. 2010, p. 24
  20. Marroquín Lopez, Marvin Ottoniel et al. 2010, p. 22
  21. Marroquín Lopez, Marvin Ottoniel et al. 2010, p. 23.
  22. Flores Moreno, Nery Osvaldo et al. 2010, p. 18
  23. Flores Moreno, Nery Osvaldo et al. 2010, p. 24.
  24. Flores Moreno, Nery Osvaldo et al. 2010, p. 25.
  25. Flores Moreno, Nery Osvaldo et al. 2010, p. 22.
  26. Flores Moreno, Nery Osvaldo et al. 2010, p. 23.
  27. Zarceño Guzmán, Sandra Judith; Rodas Ramírez, Berta Julissa; Bran Prado, Byron Rafael; Cuyuch Martínez, Marta Rossibell; López Matheu, Jorge Javier; Mazariegos Cuyuch, Melvin Orlando; Yupe Ramírez, José Guillermo; García Valenzuela, Francisca; Rojas Escalante, Pabla Bartola; Flores Moreno, Nery Osvaldo; Cabrera Ruano, Miriam Alicia; Marroquín López, Marvin Ottoniel; Rodríguez Lemus, Gerson Giovanni Steve (2010). "Diagnóstico socioecnómico: potentialidades productivas y propuestas de inversión. Municipio de San Juan Cotzal, departamento de El Quiché. Informe general" (PDF). Investigación de Campo, Grupo EPS (in Spanish). Guatemala: Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.
  28. "Climate: San Juan Cotzal". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  29. SEGEPLAN. "Municipios de Quiché, Guatemala". Secretaría General de Planificación y Programación de la Presidencia de la República (in Spanish). Guatemala. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.

Bibliography

  • Media related to Cotzal at Wikimedia Commons
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