Ixil people facts for kids
 Ixil people at a festival in Nebaj, Guatemala. |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 133,329 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| Ixil, Spanish | |
| Religion | |
| Catholic, Evangelical, Maya religion |
The Ixil are a group of Maya people who live in Guatemala. They are an indigenous community, meaning they are native to that land.
Where the Ixil Live
The Ixil people live in the Cuchumatanes mountains. This area is in the northern part of the El Quiché region of Guatemala. Their main home is in three towns, often called the Ixil Triangle. These towns are Santa Maria Nebaj, San Gaspar Chajul, and San Juan Cotzal.
A Difficult Time in History
In the early 1980s, the Ixil community faced a very hard time. During the Guatemalan civil war, many Ixil people were forced to leave their homes. They also suffered from hunger. This period was very violent, especially between 1979 and 1985. The government and military used a "scorched-earth" policy. This meant they destroyed villages and crops.
A report from the United Nations in 1999 said that between 70% and 90% of Ixil villages were destroyed. Also, about 60% of the people in the highland region had to escape to the mountains. By 1996, it was thought that about 7,000 Maya Ixil people had died.
Seeking Justice
In May 2013, a court in Guatemala found Efraín Ríos Montt guilty. He was the President of Guatemala from 1982 to 1983. The court said he was responsible for actions that caused great suffering to the Ixil people. The judge, Jazmin Barrios, explained that the Ixil were seen as enemies of the state. She also said they were victims of racism, seen as a lesser group of people.
See also
In Spanish: Ixil (etnia) para niños
