Crafting connections: maya linkages between Guatemala’s Altiplano and El Norte

Michelle J. Moran-Taylor

doi:10.21670/ref.2004.10.a04

Authors

Michelle J. Moran-Taylor University of Denver.

Keywords:

Transnational migration, social ties, Guatemalan Maya migration, communications, grassroots organizing

Abstract

International migration constitutes one of the most significant phenomena impacting Guatemala today. About a million and a half Guatemalans live and work in rural and urban cities and towns across the United States and Canada. Like many other migrant groups, most Guatemalans sustain strong transnational linkages between their homeland and el norte (the United States). In the Guatemalan example highlighted in this article, such bonds owe much to the long-standing Guatemalan-U.S. historical connections, to the geographic proximity of the country to the United States. Drawing on ethnographic material, this article examines the divergent kinds of transnational connections that Maya indigenous (K´iche´) migrants craft and keep alive between their home community and their two primary destination localities in the United States—Houston, Texas and Los Angeles, California. The article shows the different means of communication and technology, as well as the varying types of transnational organizing —particularly grass-roots efforts— that help shape current linkages between those who go and those who stay. Keyword: Transnational migration, social ties, Guatemalan Maya migration, communications, grass-roots organizing.

Resumen

La migración internacional constituye uno de los fenómenos más significativos que afectan a Guatemala hoy en día. Casi un millón y medio de guatemaltecos viven y trabajan en grandes ciudades o en comunidades rurales y pueblos de los Estados Unidos y Canadá. Al igual que muchos otros grupos migrantes, lamayoría de los guatemaltecos mantienen fuertes lazos entre su país natal y el norte (los Estados Unidos). Según el ejemplo que se resalta en este artículo, dichos lazos se deben en gran medida: a las conexiones históricas que se han mantenido entre Guatemala y los Estados Unidos desde hace muchos años, a la disponibilidad hoy en día de medios de comunicación y de transporte más eficientes, y a la proximidad geográfica del país centroamericano con los Estados Unidos. Mediante la recopilación de material etngráfico, este artículo examinará los tipos divergentes de conexiones transnacionales que los indígenas migrantes mayas (K´iche´) establecen y mantienen vivas entre su país natal y los dos destinos principales ubicados en los Estados Unidos: Houston, Texas y Los Ángeles, California. Este artículo muestra los diferentes medios de comunicación y tecnología. así como los diversos tipos de organizaciones transnacionales, principalmente los esfuerzos por conservar sus raíces, que es lo que ayuda a conformar los lazos entre los que se van y los que se quedan.

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