Arte Ignacio
Miguel Ignacio comes from a long line of craftsmen, musicians, artists. There are several generations of photos on the wall in their workshop, and it has been a long time since I met a family with such a proud longstanding tradition!
Moreria Santo Tomás
Wooden ceremonial masks are fabricated — carved and painted — at Moreria Santo Tomás in Chichicastenango. Founded in the year 1880, masks are prominently displayed everywhere you look as soon as you walk through the doors — how colorful they are! There is one room where two centuries old masks are displayed!
Masks are worn to assume the personage and play the part of a conquistador or an animal or a Maya god, depending on the occasion. Often the use of masks corresponds to dances performed during the Festival of Santo Tomás in Chichi in December, such as Baile del Torito.
Here is a mask that we were blessed to receive as a gift.
In addition to the intricate masks, the Ignacio family sews the costumes and they have a complete inventory that can be rented by schools or groups that perform the dances. Those costumes are elaborately and lovingly made. This video captures the beauty of the masks and costumes together:
In addition to the display of masks and other woodcrafts, there is a tribute to Maximón and a marimba de tecomates.
Members of the Ignacio family carry on the tradition of the marimba style that uses gourds as resonators. More modern marimbas feature two rows of bars (resembling a piano keyboard) but the marimba de tecomates has a single bar. I’d like to share a video from my friend, Miguel Ignacio!
Los Mashitos, marimba band
John Demar has enjoyed playing drums since childhood. His wife (me) loves marimba music. I was happy to have the opportunity to appreciate both at the same time. I am grateful to Miguel Ignacio’s marimba band, Los Mashitos, for welcoming John into their ensemble. We present to you Los Mashitos, featuring John Demar on drums, performing a snippet of “Cobán” by Domingo Bethancourt.
Miguel Ignacio, the painter
Our friend, Miguel Ignacio, is multi-talented. These are custom paintings that he made for us to use as a fundraiser. If you have an interest in one, please contact us for details. (They vary in price from $50 to $80 and are size 12″ x 16″. The “Giant Kite Festival” has sold.)
Lastly, Miguel Ignacio also graced us with some handmade Maya calendar nahual keychains for use in our fundraising efforts. These are $10 each (which includes shipping to anywhere in the continental US) and all characters are currently available. You can read about them on our shopping site.
We would like to thank our friend, Miguel Ignacio, and his father, Miguel Angel Ignacio for showing such kindness and hospitality during our visit and for being willing to host our group during the pandemic. We are excited to bring additional teams in the future!
Miguel Ignacio also drew this design for an apparel fundraiser! 
Miguel and Miguel Angel Ignacio are two generations in a long line of mask makers and marimba musicians
In the meantime, we would invite anyone with a greater interest to visit the Moreria Santo Tomás if you find yourself in Chichicastenango (tell them Jennifer Demar sent you) or visit their Facebook page. Incidentally, they are offering a free virtual tour of the Moreria tomorrow with any voluntary donations going to victims of Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Guatemala! (See link for details.)
The “right” opportunity arose when I learned about a travel opportunity for adoptive families which would include volunteer work and cultural sightseeing. Being members of that team had a profound impact on me, Lillian and Andrew. Not only were we able to make a real connection to our son’s birthplace, but we met incredibly warm and generous people, all of whom we now consider to be a part of our “family.” In addition to the volunteer work I shared with the Team, I also was able to “give back” by performing as my alter ego, “Farfel the Clown” at a barbecue for children of The Backyard School. It will remain one the proudest and happiest memories of my life.