Beauty

Mayan Queens

A photoessay by Rodrigo Abd

by Rodrigo Abd | Jan 10, 2017

These pictures were taken Friday, July 29, 2011. The women pose for the pictures during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Cobán, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter, the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish.

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Magdalena Quinilla Batz, 15, representing Canilla, Quiche, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Matilde Evelyn Ivonne Tzunec Bixcul, 19, representing Solola, Solola, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Teresa Gonzales Ixtetela, 18, representing San Pedro La Laguna, Solola, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Natalia Rosmely Panjoj Saquic, 20, representing Santo Tomas Chichicastenango, Quiche, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Elsy Natividad Sac Tzaj, 20, representing Nahuala, Solola, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Elvy Yolanda Feliciano Ramirez, 16, representing Comintancio, San Marcos, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Veronica Leticia Mejia Baten, 15, representing San Pedro Jocopilas, Quiche, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Rafaela Ermelinda Gomez Ichel, 18, representing Olintepeque, Quetzaltenango, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Matilde Teresa Bol Maas, 16, representing Lanquin, Alta Verapaz, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Juana Choc Tzop, 18, representing Zona Reina , Quiche, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Ana Esperanza Gutierrez Chuni, 16, representing Palin, Escuintla, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

: In this picture taken Friday, July 29, 2011, Mayan Queen Maria Magdalena Lucas Lopez, 21, representing San Pedro Soloma, Huehuetenango, poses for the picture during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter,the panel of judges not only value the participants’ leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Spring 2017, Volume XVI, Number 3

Mayan Queens

A photoessay by Rodrigo Abd

Related Articles

Sensual Not Beautiful

The Queen of Sheep

Peruvian Pishtacos