Celebrating Saint Thomas in Guatemala
A week-long celebration honors Saint Thomas, the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, and culminates on Dec. 21. The Feast of Saint Thomas draws international tourists with its colorful pageantry, but at its heart is a religious celebration melding Catholic and indigenous traditions.
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- Masked dancers perform outside St. Thomas church during a celebration honoring the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. The church is built atop a former temple and incorporates the temple’s 18 steps, each representing a month of the Mayan calendar. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- A man launches a firecracker during a celebration honoring Saint Thomas, the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. After eight uninterrupted days of celebration in honor of the patron Saint Thomas in the Mayan town, fireworks accompany three bands that play simultaneously at the corners of the most emblematic market in Guatemala. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- Vendors set up early in the morning during a week-long celebration honoring Saint Thomas, the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. The Feast of Saint Thomas draws international tourists with its colorful pageantry, but at its heart is a religious celebration melding Catholic and indigenous traditions that culminates on Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- A costume mask and hats sit on a marimba instrument during a break at celebrations honoring Saint Thomas, the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. “We dance for the patron, it’s a tradition in my family,” said Jose Tecun, as he rested after eight hours of dancing with a wooden mask and sequined suit. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- Women and children attend a celebration honoring Saint Thomas, the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. The Mayan town marks eight uninterrupted days of celebration in honor of the patron saint. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- Members of a brotherhood pray after a procession in honor of Saint Thomas, the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. K’iche’ Mayans make up 14 Catholic brotherhoods that parade through the mountain town behind Saint Thomas. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- Indigenous women watch fireworks being launched during celebrations honoring Saint Thomas, the saint patron of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. The Mayan town marks eight uninterrupted days of celebration in honor of the patron saint. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- A dancer drinks water as he rests during celebrations honoring Saint Thomas, the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. The Feast of Saint Thomas draws international tourists with its colorful pageantry, but at its heart is a religious celebration melding Catholic and indigenous traditions that culminates on Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- Men carry an elaborate statue of Saint Thomas during a celebration honoring the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. The Feast of Saint Thomas draws international tourists with its colorful pageantry, but at its heart is a religious celebration melding Catholic and indigenous traditions that culminates on Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- Men carry statues of different religious icons during a procession in honor of Saint Thomas, the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. Mayan village of Chichicastenango, set in the western Highlands of Guatemala, culminates a week-long festival that began on Dec. 13, honoring the town’s patron saint, Santo Tomas. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- People buy cotton candy outside El Calvario church during celebrations honoring Saint Thomas, the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. The church is built atop a former temple and incorporates the temple’s 18 steps, each representing a month of the Mayan calendar. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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- Men carry a religious statue during a procession in honor of Saint Thomas, the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. The statue is the symbol of one of the town’s Catholic brotherhoods, represented by a cross and statue of Jesus. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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