Niños de Santa Cruz

This piece depicts two children of a small mayan village nestled on the shores of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala called Santa Cruz la Laguna, my home. This image is based on a photo that I took at the fair celebrating the patron saint of the town, Santa Elena de la Cruz; and the change of crown of the then Rabin Ajaw - the appointed queen of the town. The children in the image were her attendants, they wear their traditional attire, and are part of the celebration.

The children danced amongst the queen, representing their town and Maya Kaq'chi'quel traditions. Traditions that are slowly being lost. Men and boys don't use their traditional clothing anymore, for example. This piece is the first of a collection that explores this theme; what we lose with time, globalization, and economic growth.