Introduction / History

The Kekchi, also known as Q?eqchi?, are one of the largest Maya ethnic groups in Guatemala. Historically concentrated in Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz, they have spread to Petén, Izabal, and El Quiché, as well as into Belize.Their pre-Hispanic society was organized under a king and governed by its own laws. The region they inhabited was known as Tezulutlan ("Land of War"). Spanish conquest efforts were met with resistance due to the dispersed nature of the indigenous settlements. Although missionary Bartolomé de las Casas attempted peaceful conversion, colonial exploitation and land seizures followed, especially during the 19th-century plantation era, leading to long-term poverty and displacement.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Kekchi communities are primarily agrarian, practicing subsistence farming of corn and beans. Agriculture is deeply spiritual, with planting and harvesting seen as acts of worship. Traditional homes are made of thatch and poles, and hammocks are commonly used for sleeping.Women traditionally weave using backstrap looms, though commercial textiles are increasingly common. Their diet is corn-based, and dishes like Kaq'ik are reserved for special occasions. Many still hunt and gather wild plants, and some villages maintain traditional healing practices through herbal medicine and spiritual rituals.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Kekchis practice a syncretic religion blending Roman Catholicism, Evangelical Christianity, and traditional Mayan beliefs. Central to their indigenous spirituality is Tzuultaq?a, the guardian deity of mountains and valleys. They have ritual specialists such as sorcerers and herbal healers.They celebrate the Day of the Dead and perform burial rituals involving wrapping the deceased in palm mats and burying them with items for the afterlife. The cofradía system (lay religious brotherhoods) plays a role in Catholic celebrations and saint veneration.However, there is also a strong minority that has put their faith in Jesus Christ. God can use them as his servants in Central America and beyond.

What Are Their Needs?

Many Kekchi communities continue to struggle with land ownership and displacement. Poverty remains widespread thanks to some losing their land and limited markets. Without sufficient medical facilities, they frequently rely on traditional healers.

Prayer Items

Pray for many to be healed of their ailments, leading entire families to put their faith in Christ.Pray for spiritual revival and discipleship among Kekchi believers that will lead them to share Christ with the least reached peoples of Latin America.Pray for justice and restoration of land rights for Kekchi communities.Pray for sustainable economic opportunities and agricultural development.Pray for access to quality education and healthcare.

Scripture Prayers for the Kekchi in Belize.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q%CA%BCeqchi%CA%BChttps://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/qeqchihttps://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/praxis-walking-with-the-kekchi-in-guatemala/https://languagexs.com/the-qeqchi-maya-guatemalas-cultural-heartland/