Rab'in Ajaw

Queens from top to bottom:

1. Reina de Patzicía, Chilmatenango. 2025

2. Reina de Parramos, Chimaltenango. 2025

3. Reina de San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá. 2025

4. Reina de Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá. 2025

5. Reina de Choatalum, San Martín Jilotepeque. 2025

This project was born in May of 2023, when my friend Irma Hernandez - La Reina de Santa Cruz La Laguna from 2019 to 2023- had to pass her crown to the next queen. This is a celebration that happens every year, a queen from each town or municipality is selected to represent it. Their reign lasts one year; except Irma, she reigned for 4 years due to the pandemic preventing a new appointment. Each year the Rab’in Ajaw from as many municipalities as possible come to the fair of Santa Cruz La Laguna, to celebrate the patron saint of the town, Santa Elena de la Cruz. And in turn, she must travel to other municipalities to celebrate amongst the other queens their fair celebrating their different patron saints.

The Rab'in Ajaw are adorned in their traditional garb comprised of the huipil and corte embroidered with motifs and colors of their respecting towns, and a regal wooden crown with sculpted symbols to represent their municipality.

When I initially saw this celebration, I was mesmerized by the crowns and their craftsmanship. I took pictues with the intent to draw them. As I began to draw, I realized I wanted this to be a project that lives in ink. These desgins have been worked and prefected in Procreate, but are not intended to be their finished form. These designs have now been carved into linoleum so as to make blockprints.