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Handicrafts
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Arrayán - The Q'eqchi' Treasure
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The Arrayán tree grows in the cold areas of Alta Verapaz, where the best quality seeds are collected by the Q'eqchi' and Pokomchi people. The seeds are cooked to extract the wax which is then used to make different colored and sized sacred candles. The product helps to provide families with an additional source of income.
The Arrayán candles are used by the Mayan people to ask the Tzull Taq'a (God of the Mountain) for health, money, work, and abundance of crops as well as protection for their family and domestic animals. The scent and light of these candles are said to be capable of bringing together the Oxlaju Tzull Taq'a (the 13 Sacred Mountains).
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 Our efforts are to preserve the cloud and sub-tropical rainforests for the enjoyment and livelihood of future generations. Alta Verapaz has a richness in both its culture and its art, and its inhabitants create products unique to all of Guatemala. We have discovered an alternative to destroying the forests, giving another source of income to its communities: the re-incorporation of ancient Mayan Q'eqchi' customs and traditions through natural arrayán candles.
Arrayán (Mirica cerifera) is found throughout the forest, cultivated by wild bird species that search out the seed as food, spreading it around the forest. For this reason, in the Q'eqchi' language the word for this plant, "waa' uut," translates to "food for doves."
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These candles are made from the wax that can be extracted from the seeds of the arrayán tree, which grows within the borders of the cloud forests. Eco-quetzal has helped in introducing different designs, colors, and sizes, and is currently involved in searching out markets where the products can be sold.
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In this area, in addition to the candles, beautiful local dress (guipiles) woven from hand using the pic'bil and k'embil techniques, baskets, bags, and wood carvings are produced.
If you would like to purchase these all natural, beautiful candles, please CONTACT us. We appreciate your interest!
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 CHECK out the new map and guide to Alta Verapaz!
 Take a look at a map to see where we operate!
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 SEE our candle products!
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 TAKE a virtual
Eco-Tour!
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© 2002 Proyecto Ecológico Quetzal. All rights reserved.
2a Calle 14-36, Zona 1, Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
TEL/FAX: (502) 7 952-1047 E-MAIL: bidaspeq@gmail.com
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Pet Homepages at Pet-Pix.com
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