{"id":665,"date":"2026-06-08T19:19:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T01:19:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nominaciones.mcd.gob.gt\/pilgrimage\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T16:38:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T22:38:53","slug":"pilgrimage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nominaciones.mcd.gob.gt\/en\/pilgrimage\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilgrimage"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n
\n \n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n \"\"\n\n\n \"\"\n\n\n
\n
\n\n \n UNESCO nomination <\/span>\n\n \"Pilgrimage\n\n

\n A road to faith, identity and memory that unites Central America since 1595. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section> <\/div>\n\n \n\n

\n \n
\n
\n\n
\n\n
\n \n A living tradition <\/span>\n\n

\n What is a pilgrimage? <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

\n The Pilgrimage to the Black Christ of Esquipulas encompasses religious and cultural pilgrimages that have been celebrated since 1595. Its focal point is the city of Esquipulas, in Guatemala, but the devotion extends to communities of Central America and Mexico. <\/p>\n\n

\n More than a religious celebration, it establishes a collective cultural manifestation that integrates oral tradition, music, art, gastronomy, and community practices inherited from generation to generation. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section> <\/div>\n\n \n\n

\n \n
\n
\n\n
\n \n State of the process <\/span>\n\n

\n A regional nomination under development <\/h2>\n\n

\n The dossier recognizes a living practice that transcends frontiers and organizes communities, territories, and shared memories. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n\n
\n 01<\/span>\n\n

\n Regional nomination <\/h3>\n\n

\n Guatemala \u2013 Panama <\/p>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n 02<\/span>\n\n

\n Dossier submitted <\/h3>\n\n

\n Integrated technical and community documentation. <\/p>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n 03<\/span>\n\n

\n Under evaluation <\/h3>\n\n

\n Review process before the relevant authorities. <\/p>\n <\/article>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section> <\/div>\n\n \n\n

\n \n
\n
\n\n
\n\n
\n \"Regional\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n A tradition that unites territories <\/span>\n\n

\n Devotion surpasses borders <\/h2>\n\n

\n The Pilgrimage to the Black Christ of Esquipulas connects communities, pilgrimage routes and devotional expressions that have united different territories of Central America for generations. <\/p>\n\n

\n Its regional character demonstrates how a practice of faith can also become a shared memory, cultural exchange, community identity, and a link between peoples. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section> <\/div>\n\n \n\n

\n \n
\n
\n\n
\n \n Living cultural manifestations <\/span>\n\n

\n Community practices, knowledge, and expressions <\/h2>\n\n

\n The Pilgrimage brings together multiple cultural expressions that give shape to a collective experience of faith, identity, and belonging. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n\n
\n
\n \"Oral\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \"\"\n\n\n \n Community memory <\/span>\n\n

\n Oral tradition <\/h3>\n\n

\n Prayers, novenas, family stories, and testimonies passed down between generations. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n
\n \"Music\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \"\"\n\n\n \n Popular piety <\/span>\n\n

\n Music and Chants <\/h3>\n\n

\n Traditional compositions and new devotional musical expressions. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n
\n \"Craftsmanship\"\n\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \"\"\n\n\n \n Traditional trades <\/span>\n\n

\n Craftsmanship <\/h3>\n\n

\n Hats, ribbons, religious objects, candles, and items related to the pilgrimage. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n
\n \"Art\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \"\"\n\n\n \n Symbolic expression <\/span>\n\n

\n Art and literature <\/h3>\n\n

\n Paintings, sculptures, documents, poetry, and accounts inspired by the Black Christ. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n

\n \n
\n
\n\n
\n\n
\n \"Communities\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n Bearer communities <\/span>\n\n

\n A tradition sustained by communities <\/h2>\n\n

\n The pilgrimages are made possible by the active participation of organized communities: priests, friars, lay people, artisans, merchants, musicians, dancers, and entire families. <\/p>\n\n

\n In Guatemala, Maya, Garifuna, Xinca, and Ladino peoples participate, transmitting this tradition from grandparents to children and grandchildren, strengthening the sense of identity and regional belonging. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section> <\/div>\n\n \n\n

\n \n
\n\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n \"\"\n\n\n
\n\n
\n \n Memory and identity <\/span>\n\n

\n Identity, cohesion and sustainable development <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n\n
\n 01<\/span>\n\n

\n Social cohesion <\/h3>\n\n

\n The pilgrimage fortifies family and community bonds, promoting multicultural unity and respect. <\/p>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n 02<\/span>\n\n

\n Local development <\/h3>\n\n

\n It generates an inclusive economy through craftsmanship, cuisine, commerce, and traditional trades. <\/p>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n 03<\/span>\n\n

\n Migrant memory <\/h3>\n\n

\n Allows Central American communities abroad to maintain a connection with their cultural roots. <\/p>\n <\/article>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section> <\/div>\n\n \n\n

\n \n
\n
\n\n
\n\n \"\"\n\n\n \n Since 2011 <\/span>\n\n

\n Intangible Cultural Heritage of Guatemala <\/h2>\n\n

\n Officially recognized in 2011, this cultural expression forms part of the country's intangible cultural heritage. Its regional nomination seeks to strengthen its safeguarding and highlight its importance as a living expression of human creativity and cultural diversity. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section> <\/div>\n\n \n\n

\n \n
\n
\n\n
\n\n
\n \n Comitment to safeguard <\/span>\n\n

\n Actions to guarantee the transmission of traditions. <\/h2>\n\n

\n The bearer communities, along with cultural and religious institutions, develop actions to guarantee the intergenerational transmission of the tradition. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n\n
\n 01<\/span>\n\n

\n Annual community organizing of pilgrimages. <\/p>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n 02<\/span>\n\n

\n Participatory workshops with bearer communities. <\/p>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n 03<\/span>\n\n

\n Historic and audiovisual documentation. <\/p>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n 04<\/span>\n\n

\n Use of media and social networks to involve the youth. <\/p>\n <\/article>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section> <\/div>\n\n \n\n

\n \n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n \"\"\n\n\n
\n\n
\n \n The journey continues <\/span>\n\n

\n A tradition that has united peoples for over four centuries <\/h2>\n\n

\n The pilgrimages to the Black Christ of Esquipulas are a living expression of faith, culture, and shared identity. Their international recognition will strengthen the preservation of a tradition deeply rooted in Central America. <\/p>\n\n

\n \n Download dossier <\/a>\n\n \n View audiovisual material <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section> <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-665","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nominaciones.mcd.gob.gt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nominaciones.mcd.gob.gt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nominaciones.mcd.gob.gt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nominaciones.mcd.gob.gt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nominaciones.mcd.gob.gt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=665"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nominaciones.mcd.gob.gt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/665\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":666,"href":"https:\/\/nominaciones.mcd.gob.gt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/665\/revisions\/666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nominaciones.mcd.gob.gt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}