Concepción Quetzaltepeque, El Salvador facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Concepción Quezaltepeque
Municipality
Concepción Quezaltepeque Location in El Salvador
Country	El Salvador
Department	Chalatenango Department
Elevation	1,540 ft (470 m)
Population  (2006)
• Total	14,400

Concepción Quetzaltepeque is a municipality located in the Chalatenango Department in the northern part of El Salvador. It shares its borders with several other towns: Comalapa and La Laguna to the north, Las Vueltas and Chalatenango to the east, Chalatenango to the south, and Santa Rita to the west. The municipality covers an area of about 52.54 square kilometers. In 2005, its population was 6,734 people. The area is divided into 6 main sections called cantons and 14 smaller communities known as caseríos.

History of Concepción Quezaltepeque

The history of El Salvador goes way back, even before Europeans arrived, around 1500 BC. Spanish explorers, led by Captain Pedro de Alvarado, first landed on Isla Meanguera in 1522. In June 1524, Captain Alvarado began a war to conquer the native people of Cuzcatlán, which means "land of precious things." After many battles, the Spanish took control. For centuries, European families ruled the land, using native and African people as slaves.

Towards the end of 1810, a priest named José Matías Delgado started a rebellion with the support of many people. After years of fighting for freedom, the Central American Independence Act was signed in Guatemala on September 15, 1821.

By law, on February 18, 1841, Concepción Quezaltepeque and La Junta together formed one of the electoral areas in El Salvador. This town was part of the San Salvador department from 1824 to 1835. Then, from 1835 to 1855, it was part of Cuscatlán. After 1855, it became part of Chalatenango. In 1938, during the time of General Maximiliano Hernández Martínez, Concepción Quezaltepeque was officially given the title of "villa" (village).

In 1931, farmers and native people started a rebellion because they were unhappy with how landowners treated them. The army responded with great force, and many people died in an event later called La Matanza (The Massacre). This event included the death of the rebellion's leader, Farabundo Martí. People remained unhappy with the government, leading to the formation of groups fighting for change. The government responded with more violence, and special groups were formed that caused harm to many people.

More political problems and the assassination of Archbishop Óscar Romero in 1980 led to the start of the Civil War. This war lasted 12 years and caused the deaths of many people and forced thousands to leave their homes. The war officially ended when the Peace Accords were signed on January 16, 1992.

The Chalatenango department, where Concepción Quezaltepeque is located, was greatly affected by the Civil War. Many people from Concepción Quezaltepeque had to leave their homes because of the violence. However, starting in the early 1990s, especially after the Peace Accords, people began to return and rebuild their communities in the municipality.

Cantons and Caseríos

Concepción Quezaltepeque is divided into different areas called cantons, and within these cantons are smaller communities called caseríos.

• El Conacaste: El Conacaste, El Pepeton, Los Cerritos
• El Jocotillo: El Jocotillo, Cazalute
• Llano Grande: Llano Grande, El Cacao, Laja Ancha
• El Rosario: El Rosario
• Monte Redondo: Monte Redondo, La Joya
• Olosingo: Olosingo, La China, Guatezuca

Stories Behind Canton Names

Some people believe that the Virgin of Concepción was found in the caserío La China. This is why the area might have been called Concepción before. Other stories say that in an old village in La China, the Virgin did not want to stay there. Every time she was placed there, she would move to what is now the church, and people would go to find her there.

The people of Llano Grande say their canton is named that way because it is surrounded by hills. "Llano Grande" means "Big Plain" in Spanish.

Religion in the Community

In El Salvador, about 83% of the people identify as Roman Catholic, while the other 17% belong to other religions. However, in recent years, the number of Catholics has decreased, and there has been a rise in Protestant religions. El Salvador has one of the highest rates of Protestantism in Latin America. Religion plays a very important role in the lives of many people.

Patron-saint festivals and other religious celebrations are still very important and are celebrated in almost all towns and villages across the country. Most cantons even have their own patron saint, and they hold festivals in their honor.

Traditional Festivals and Celebrations

• Urban center:
  • First week of November: Traditional 'festival of hammocks.'
  • December 7–8: In honor of the Virgen de Concepción.
  • January 19–20: In honor of San Sebastián.
• Monte Redondo: June 13, in honor of San Antonio de Padua.
• Llano Grande: February 27–28, in honor of Jesús del Rescate.
• Caserío El Pepeton: December 12–13, in honor of Santa Lucia.
• El Jocotillo: February 18, in honor of the Niño de Atoche.
• El Conacaste: February 17–18, in honor of La Virgen de los Remedios.
• Caserío La China: April 9, in honor of San Expedito.

Music and Dance

In the past, popular music in Concepción Quezaltepeque included valse and ranchera. The municipality even had its own orchestra and choir. Marimbas were also a very popular instrument. However, this type of music is not commonly heard anymore.

A traditional dance involves people dancing while wearing masks that look like older people.

Agricultural Production

The main crops grown in Concepción Quezaltepeque are corn, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, onions, loroco, and rice. These crops are used both for families to eat and to sell. In the past, there was a lot of indigo production, which is a plant used to make blue dye. You can still find the old machinery used for indigo production in places like Llano Grande, El Pepeto, Monte Redondo, and La Peña Cabrera.

Some people in the area also raise animals. In El Conacaste and El Pepeton, there are even bee hives for honey production. Hunting animals is against the law in the municipality.