GLOBAL MAYA GLOBAL MAYA Work and Ideology in Rural Guatemala LILIA N A R G O L DÍN The University of Arizona Press Tucson The University of Arizona Press © 2009 The Arizona Board of Regents All rights reserved www.uapress.arizona.edu First paperback printing 2011 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Goldín, Liliana R Global Maya : work and ideology in rural Guatemala / Liliana R Goldín p cm Includes bibliographical references and index ISBN 978-0-8165-2987-2 (pbk : alk paper) Mayas—Guatemala—Economic conditions Guatemala—Economic conditions—1985– Guatemala—Rural conditions Agriculture— Economic aspects—Guatemala I Title F1435.3.E27G66 2009 306.3’42072818—dc22 2008035580 Manufactured in the United States of America on acid-free, archival-quality paper and processed chlorine free 15 14 13 12 11 7 6 5 4 3 Contents List of Figures vii Acknowledgments Introduction ix Global Highlands: In Context, in Theory, and in Practice Economic Ideology in Culture: Oral Tradition 11 43 Economic Ideology in Petty Industrial Production: Tailors of San Francisco el Alto 61 Economic Ideology in Petty Commodity Agricultural Production: Gardeners of San Pedro Almolonga 97 Economic Ideology in the Production of Nontraditional Agricultural Export Crops 119 Economic Ideology in Industrial Wage Labor: From Land to Factory 136 It Takes Work to Shape Our Thinking: Global Guatemala in Local Terms 154 Appendix A A Complete Transcription of Three Examples of Oral Tradition 175 Appendix B A Summary of the San Francisco el Alto Case Studies 202 Appendix C Selected Items from Survey Research Notes 211 References Index 239 221 207 Figures Map of the research area A sewing supply shop in San Francisco el Alto 21 Don Bonifacio carving a mask and recounting tales 47 A family workshop in San Francisco el Alto 63 Selling pants made in workshop in San Francisco el Alto market 65 Making clothes at home in San Francisco el Alto 66 The first and only factory in San Francisco el Alto 68 Selling vegetables to wholesalers outside Almolonga market 100 Retail sale of vegetables in Almolonga market 114 Taking care of vegetables for export in Santa María Cauqué 121 Applying pesticides in Chimaltenango 123 An agro-exporter loading vegetables into refrigerated room 133 A maquila worker and her mother 139 The maquila-sending community in Chimaltenango 144 Acknowledgments The list of those who have helped me in this long-term project is extensive I have been fortunate to be welcome in so many Guatemalan homes and workplaces and to have had so many people grant me valuable time, teaching me about the ways they solve the problems of making a living and the ways they view the world The list includes many people living in several communities of Guatemala, as well as teachers and collaborators in Guatemala and in the United States I thank the many men and women with whom I talked from San Francisco el Alto, San Pedro Almolonga, Zunil, San Cristóbal Totonicapán, Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquez, and several surrounding areas, who were involved in the production strategies I describe I promised anonymity to all and have used pseudonyms throughout the volume I sincerely hope that when they recognize their own words or identify their own towns that it all rings true and that they can hear the respect and appreciation I have for them Invariably, in the midst of often difficult conditions, people have found the ways to the best they can for themselves and their children They have taught me much more about commonalities than differences With their permission, I thank the extended Francisco Alvarez family from San Francisco el Alto and now also in Quetzaltenango, the family of José Xiap Gonon in Almolonga, and of Bonifacio Son Elías in San Cristóbal All of them invited me into their homes, helped me throughout the years, and trusted me with their friendship The Celada Lima family in Quetzaltenango also has been a constant source of friendship and support I thank my friend and colleague Linda Asturias She has opened many doors, including her own family’s home, and has been my constant collaborator and guide My friends and colleagues Brenda Rosenbaum, Gary Gossen, and June Nash read the first draft of this book and offered important critiques and commentaries that guided my revisions Needless to say, I may have failed to incorporate all their insights I have continued to work with ... First paperback printing 2011 Library of Congress Cataloging -in- Publication Data Goldín, Liliana R Global Maya : work and ideology in rural Guatemala / Liliana R Goldín p cm Includes bibliographical... policies, and the future lives of rural Guatemalans CHAP T ER Global Highlands In Context, in Theory, and in Practice Global Highlands In 1950, the World Bank sent a commission to Guatemala. .. manufacturers employing close to 90,000 workers, and a total of 122,000 workers in the entire industry (including textiles and accessories) Employment in maquilas (apparel) peaked in 2004 and has shown