Comalapa, El Salvador facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Comalapa
Municipality
Comalapa Location in El Salvador
Country	El Salvador
Department	Chalatenango Department
Area
• Total	10.90 sq mi (28.22 km2)
Elevation	2,064 ft (629 m)
Population  (2005)
• Total	4,516

Comalapa is a town and municipality in the Chalatenango Department of El Salvador. It is a place with a rich history and vibrant culture.

Exploring Comalapa Municipality

Comalapa is surrounded by other towns. To the north, you'll find Dulce Nombre de Maria. To the east is La Laguna. To the south, it borders Concepción Quezatepeque. Finally, to the west, it's next to Santa Rita and Dulce Nombre de Maria.

Facts About Comalapa

The municipality covers an area of about 28.22 square kilometers. In 2005, around 4,516 people lived there. Comalapa is divided into 4 main areas called cantons, which are further split into 20 smaller communities called caseríos.

A Look at Comalapa's History

The history of El Salvador goes way back to ancient times, around 1500 BC. European explorers arrived much later. On May 31, 1522, the first Spanish explorers landed on Isla Meanguera. In June 1524, Captain Pedro de Alvarado began a period of conquest against the native people of Cuzcatlán. After many battles, the Spanish gained control.

For centuries, the Spanish ruled the area. But in the early 1800s, people started to want their freedom. A priest named José Matías Delgado led a rebellion in 1810. After years of effort, the Central American Independence Act was signed in Guatemala on September 15, 1821.

Comalapa has been part of different departments over time. From 1824 to 1835, it was part of San Salvador. Then, from 1835 to 1855, it belonged to Cuscatlán. Since February 14, 1855, it has been part of the Chalatenango Department. In 1919, Comalapa joined the new district of Dulce Nombre de Maria. Later, in 1947, it lost one of its areas, El Morro, to Dulce Nombre de Maria.

In the 1930s, there was a period of unrest. Farmers and native people were unhappy with the government. This led to a large conflict where many lives were lost. This event is sometimes called La Matanza, meaning "The Massacre." Later, in the 1980s, a long Civil War began. This war lasted for 12 years and caused many people to leave their homes. An estimated 75,000 people died during this time. The war finally ended when the Peace Accords were signed on January 16, 1992.

The Chalatenango Department, where Comalapa is located, was greatly affected by the war. Many people from Comalapa had to leave their homes. But after the Peace Accords, people began to return and rebuild their communities.

Comalapa's Cantons and Caseríos

Comalapa is divided into several areas, each with its own communities.

Main Cantons

• Candelaria:
  • Candelaria
  • La Cuchilla
  • El Pilon
• El Morro:
  • El Morro
  • La Pedrera
  • Los Carvajal
  • El Barrio
  • El Tabanco
  • El Roble
  • Guevarita
  • El Tablón
• Guachipilin:
  • Guachipilin
  • El Pepeton
  • Tierra Colorada
  • Cuatro Pinos
• La Junta:
  • La Junta
  • Chorosco
  • Los Achotillos
  • Los Barillas
  • Los Irayoles

What Do the Names Mean?

Many places in Comalapa have interesting names:

• Cantón Guachipilín was named for the many guachipilín trees found there.
• Cantón El Morro got its name from a large, round tree in the middle of the area.
• The name Comalapa means “river of stones.”
• La Coyotera was named because many coyotes lived in the nearby hills.
• Cantón La Junta means "together" or "meeting point." It's named this because the Azambio and Pacayas rivers meet there.

Religion and Traditions

Most people in El Salvador, about 83%, are Roman Catholic. The rest follow other religions. In recent years, more people have become Protestant, and El Salvador has many Protestants in Latin America. Religion is very important to many people in Comalapa.

Festivals and Celebrations

Traditional festivals are a big part of life in Comalapa. Almost all towns and communities have their own special celebrations for their patron saints.

• Urban center:
  • The second week of January: A traditional festival for local businesses.
  • October 4: In honor of San Francisco of Asís.
  • November 11–12: In honor of the Virgin of Asunción.
• Candelaria:
  • February 2: In honor of the Virgin of Candelaria.
• El Morro:
  • March 18–19: In honor of San José del Morro.
• Guachipilin:
  • December 11–12: In honor of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
• Caserío El Pepeton:
  • January 18: In honor of St. Lucia.
• La Junta:
  • March 12–13: A traditional festival.
  • June 12–13: In honor of St. Anthony.
• Caserío Los Varillas:
  • December 12–13: In honor of the Virgen de Guadalupe.

Music and Dance

In the past, popular music styles included rancheras, boleros, and valses. People also played instruments made from natural materials.

• Marimbas: These were made from leather and can still be found in Achotillo.
• Carambas: These were large bows that sounded like violins, played with wire.
• Tambores: Drums made from avocado tree branches with a hole burned in the middle.

Other popular instruments were guitars, dulzainas (a type of flute), and violins. These older music styles and instruments are not as common today.

Some dances that were once popular were La Raspa and El Arranca Polvo.

Farming and Food

Farming has always been a key part of life in Comalapa. Farmers grow crops like corn, beans, squash, and sorghum. They also grow some vegetables. Most of these crops are for families to eat. Sometimes, extra crops are sold to others.

Over time, farming has changed. Some people have moved to other places, like the United States, or found different ways to make a living. In the past, people also grew indigo, a plant used to make blue dye. You can still find old tools from indigo production.

Traditional Foods and Drinks

Comalapa has many delicious traditional foods and drinks, often made with ingredients grown locally.

• Beans, tortillas, metas, soups, sweets, and seeds: These are common everyday foods.
• Las Cupas: A type of pupusa (a thick corn tortilla) that is folded in half. Pupusas are usually stuffed with things like ground beans, cheese, or pork rinds.
• Montuca: A type of tamale (a dish made of masa dough, usually steamed in a leaf wrapper) made from tender corn.
• Ticucas: Tortillas cooked in banana leaves, with ground beans and egg or meat inside.
• Festival Foods: For special occasions like patron-saint festivals, people often make chicken or pork tamales, pasteles (a Salvadoran pastry), and horchata (a sweet drink made from ground seeds).
• Ginger wine: A special drink.
• Torrejas: A sweet treat prepared during Easter week.
• Chaparro corriente o curado: A traditional drink sometimes used as a medicine.

Many of the ingredients for these foods come from the local area. These traditional ways of eating are becoming less common as more people buy commercially produced foods.

Places to Visit in Comalapa

Comalapa has several natural and historical sites that are interesting to explore.

• La Coyotera Hill or Picacho Hill: Great for enjoying nature.
• Vega River, El Morro: A beautiful river area.
• La Aldea — Pacayas River: Here you can find very beautiful waterfalls.
• The natural pool of Puente: Located on the path to Tablón, a lovely spot for swimming.
• Guachipilín: In the Azambio River, it has a round natural pool and a waterfall.
• Turicentro la Vega del Mango: A tourist center to relax and enjoy.

Handmade Products

People in Comalapa create many beautiful handmade items. These include nets, hammocks, belts, and purses. In the past, they used to make a special thread called mezcal from local plants. This practice is less common now, but a few people still do it. They also make tools needed for working with mezcal, like tools to twist the thread and bamboo needles.

Ancient Sites

Comalapa is home to several archaeological sites, showing its long history.

• Pueblo Viejo: This was the old location of Comalapa. It's about half a kilometer above the road to La Laguna. An old clay water jug was found here.
• La Cruz Hill: A mudslide once covered a village here, but parts of it can still be seen.
• Cerron Grande: Across from Guachipilín, you can find old pots, house foundations, and different types of pottery.
• Piedra del Tambor: In Tierra Colorada, near Cuevitas, there's a place called The Cave of the Hermit, also known as Chupadero.
• China Loma: In El Morro, there's a farm called China Loma, and you can also find old house foundations on the path to La Lomita.

See also

In Spanish: Comalapa (El Salvador) para niños